Happy Birthday Ghana

The famous play writer Kwame Kwei Armah changed his name by deed poll from Ian Roberts. It was his quiet, but profoundly significant homage to one of the greatest Africans who ever lived. Kwame Nkrumah!

Under the leadership of Nkrumah 55 years ago today, at precisely 12 noon he officially broke the yoke of British colonialism and declared Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, an independent state.

Nkrumah was both an intellect and a revolutionary who understood the ideas of Gandhi, Marcus Garvey and the Trinidadian Marxist theorist CLR James. He also shared ideas with Black British activists such as George Padmore in Manchester.

In 1948, just as India was becoming an independent state, unrest broke out in Ghana after more than 60 ex-service men were shot dead or wounded. Riots throughout the main cities followed, and Nkrumah as one of the key organizers was rounded up and imprisoned.

After being released, Nkrumah travelled the country proclaiming the need for self rule. Cocoa farmers rallied to his call. Nkrumah’s charisma and mobilizing skills excited a people ready for change. Two years later, Nkrumah was imprisoned again for inciting ‘civil disobedience’. The colonial power beleaguered after World War Two, realized it was only a matter of time before they would have to relinquish much or all of their power. They called elections, which allowed Nkrumah to stand even though he was still in prison. He won by a landslide.

On the 12 Feb, 1951 Nkrumah was released from prison and asked to form the first Ghanaian government.

Not content in freeing Ghana from British colonialism, Nkrumah set about promoting pan-africanism throughout the continent. The young Black leader became the symbol for modern African identity and freedom. His endeavors would mark the beginning of the end, not only for British colonial rule in Africa but also French, Dutch, Belgium and Portuguese.

Today we celebrate Kwame Nkrumah and Ghana’s independence, along with the internal hope of true freedom and equality for people of Africa around the world.

Simon Woolley

Image: Dr Kwame Nkrumah