WHO IS DR KWAME NKRUMAH?

WHO IS DR KWAME NKRUMAH?

Once upon a time in 1909, the man Francis Nwia-Kofi Ngonloma (popularly known as Dr Kwame Nkrumah) was born at Nkroful in the Western region. Elizabeth Nyaniba gave birth to him on the September 21. He was the only child of his mother. He began his schooling at the Catholic School in Half Assini where he was baptised and named Francis. After completing his course and been named the top student of his class, he was appointed as a pupil-teacher at a Primary School in Half Assini.

In 1928, Nkrumah gained admission into the Prince of Wales College (formerly known as Accra Training College). In school, not only did he participated in academic works, but also was very active in sports. He ran for the College in both 100 and 200yards dashes. After graduating in 1930 he began teaching at the Roman Catholic Junior School in Elmina. In 1934, he applied for admission to Lincoln University, where he gained admission in that same year. In 1939 he obtained his B.A degree with major in Economics and Sociology. Accordingly in 1942, he obtained the Bachelor of Theology.

At the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, he obtained an M.Sc. degree in Education and an M.A in Philosophy. He worked as a part-time lecturer at the Lincoln University. In 1945 he was voted as “the most outstanding professor of the year". Due to financial difficulties he undertook menial jobs in order to gather enough funds for his Ph.D degree. He worked as a dish washer on a Shipping Line (sailing from the USA to Latin American ports), and also worked in the shipbuilding yard in Chester. In May 1945 he left New York for London with the aim of studying law at Gray's Inn and completing his thesis for his doctorate. In England he became the Vice-President of WASU.

In November 1947, Nkrumah was invited by Ako Adjei to take up the post of General- Secretary of the UGCC. Nkrumah refused to honor the invitation due to ideological differences. He however received another invitation from Dr J.B Danquah. After a period of time coupled with discussions with the WANS, Nkrumah accepted to join the UGCC in December 1947.

As a result of ideological differences, Nkrumah broke up from the UGCC and formed the CPP on June 12, 1949. He used the CPP as a vehicle to attain independence for Ghana in 1957. As the President, Dr Nkrumah narrowly escaped assassination attempts in August 1962 and 1964. These threats invariable affected his health. According to Samia Nkrumah, her father told them,......"I may not live for long since I have a lot of lead entering my body." He was married to Fatia Nkrumah.

On February 24, 1966, while he was in China in route to Hanoi, North Vietnam, on a peace mission, he was overthrown by a junta of army and police officers. Nkrumah went into exile in Guinea where he was welcomed and made co-President by Sekou Toure.

On April 27, 1972, Dr Kwame Nkrumah died. He was initially buried in Guinea and later on May 19, 1972 his body was transferred to Ghana where he was buried at Nkroful.

COMPOSED BY: BROBBEY EDWARD

(CRITICAL THINKERS)