Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister (1957-1960) and president (1960-1966) of the Republic of Ghana, was the leader of the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain its independence. He subsequently became a leading figure in the campaign for the United States of Africa. Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, Gold Coast. The son of a goldsmith, he attended mission schools at Accra and government training colleges at Achimota (1926-1930) where he prepared to be a teacher.

In 1935, Nkrumah left for the United States where he attended Lincoln University (1935-1939) and the University of Pennsylvania (1939-1943). A gifted student, by 1943 Nkrumah had earned multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, sociology, education, theology, and philosophy. Then, in May of 1945, Nkrumah departed for London, England, where he studied as a Ph.D. student at the London School of Economics. While in London, Nkrumah held key positions in anti-colonialist and Black-nationalist organizations and authored controversial papers calling for African independence and unity. In 1945, Nkrumah co-founded the Pan African Congress, which became an influential voice against colonialism in Africa.

In 1947, Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast and became general secretary of the newly-founded United Gold Coast Convention. However, in 1949 Nkrumah split with the organization over its political objectives and formed the Convention People’s Party (CPP). During his tenure as head of the CPP, Nkrumah protested British rule and led numerous petitions for self-government. Imprisoned by the British in 1950 for his political activities, Nkrumah was released in 1951 when his party won the general election in a landslide victory. He subsequently was elected prime minister in 1952.

As prime minister, Nkrumah led an aggressive campaign for independence and achieved it in 1957. Three years later, he formed a new government, the Republic of Ghana. A devoted Pan-Africanist, Nkrumah forged alliances with both Guinea and Mali and sought to create a league of African states with its own government. To help achieve this goal, in 1963 he and other African leaders formed the Organization of African Unity. Choosing to remain neutral in political affairs outside of the African continent, Nkrumah initially gained tentative support from both the United States and the Soviet Union, receiving economic and technical aid from both countries.

Vigorously suppressing political dissidents, Nkrumah almost immediately was branded a dictator by his political opponents. Then, in 1961 a firestorm of protest erupted after he appointed himself supreme commander of the armed forces and absolute head of the CPP. Nkrumah subsequently outlawed all other political parties.

In 1966, Nkrumah’s government was overthrown by a coup d’état while he was on a trip to Beijing, China. Taking refuge in Guinea, Nkrumah spent the rest of his life in exile. He died in Bucharest, Romania on April 27, 1972.

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  • Othello [comrade/them, love/loves]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    thanks, i feel less silly. i think i can still get that feeling im looking for, just gotta work harder than everyone else for it, cant just sell my soul for an easy job writing essays/reports for a few hours a week to get that perfect child death to cost ratio, I think quite a few things would give me that feeling. or even if i had a boring job but was head of a union uhg now THATS real prestige. no clue what im gonna do i have commitment issues lol,

    • Mokey [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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      1 year ago

      It really does suck how many peoples interpretation of success is doing something horrifying or only earned because mommy daddy money.

      Also, youre not the only one getting caught up in the rat race, think about all the people who drive Audi, BMWs and shit. Many of them are not actually rich or doing well, theyre in horrible debt. Theyre just good at hiding the issue.

      Ive been trying to validate my experiences by contextualizing them, Jake Whitekiddington from Grad school couldn’t have ever handled being me and walking in my shoes and the only reason hes doing so well because he was set up so well by his rich parents.

      A lot of jobs in my opinion arent even worth doing unless there is some positive outcome for somebody else. Corporate Lawyer bad, evil Doctor in Low income area good.

      You could also just play up what you do, not like anyone knows what the fuck you really do and its not like most jobs are fake bullshit anyway. I think youre right for acknowledging that wanting prestige is also kind of silly

      • Othello [comrade/them, love/loves]@hexbear.net
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        1 year ago

        Ive been trying to validate my experiences by contextualizing them

        I think that would help me. back in school the kids I was running laps around were not working and taking unpaid internships while I was skipping meals to take care of my teen sister in law (and now im helping my brother). even among my non white friends i always had the least resources. plus i was grieving, this stupid capitalist hellhole expects you to just bounce back, and thats not fair. ive been though a lot compared to them. youre right Jake Whitekiddington would break if he were me. thanks.