Nkrumah in Decolonization Movement of the Third World of 1950-1970s - Essay Example

Decolonization movements in the so-called Third World from the 1950s to the 1970s Kwame Nkrumah made some significant contribution to the decolonization process in Ghana from 1909 to 1972. During 1940s and 1950s, he became the leader of the movement that was known as the Gold Coast movement whose aim was to lead Ghana towards independence from Britain (Poe 18). He later became president of Ghana after it got its independence in nineteen fifty-seven until nineteen sixty-six when he was forcibly removed from power by a coup. During the colonial period in Africa, Ghana was the first country to attain its independence in 1957. At that time, Kwame Nkrumah became a very prominent prime minister as he influenced the lives of many people of Ghana (Boateng 23). He later became president of Ghana. When he was born, Ghana was still a British colony that was very popular for its plantation and also known as the colony that produced most cocoa in the world. The colonial powers from Britain, Germany, and France bargained the frontiers of this colony (PBS 1). The Catholic missionaries were responsible for his education, and he later became a teacher in schools that were along the coast. According to Poe, he became exposed to politics, and this led to him having an interest to study in America (37). He studied theology and was able to meet other black American intellectuals. This was an important move during that time of political change. After the Second World War, he moved to London. In London, he assisted in organizing Pan-African congresses that linked educated groups that emerged from the African colonies with writers, well-wishers, artists, and activists from countries that were already industrialized (Boateng 32). This was a period people were optimistic after future of their country (PBS 1). Other colonies had a dream of achieving freedom after they heard about India’s independence in nineteen forty-seven. Nkrumah thus inspired many people by proclaiming that if Gold Coast were to get self-government, it would be transformed into a paradise in ten days (Boateng 45). In 1949, he returned to the Gold Coast. Upon arrival, he found that the independence of India made other colonies of Britain to start granting freedom (PBS 1). During this period, the timing and terms were unstable, and this would give rise to violent and conflict clashes. However, he ensured that the key principle of self-government was agreed by majority of people in Gold Coast. Nkrumah was not happy with how nationalist groups conducted themselves. He viewed them as being conservative, tied to the interests of colonial business, and also staid. For this reason, he formed a new party known as Convention People’s Party (CPP) with several associates (Poe 78). At the same time, he demonstrated his abilities in supreme organization, which made CPP, win limited self-elections within two years. For this reason, he became the leader of government operations and a prime minister (Poe, 98). His aim was to lead Gold coast towards independence (PBS 1). When he was the prime minister, he argued that no amount of self-rule or autonomy could correspond to the commitment, focus, and energy of people and government in a proper independent country. He later summarized these words in a slogan: "Seek ye first the political kingdom and all else shall be added unto you" (Boateng 90). This slogan became very influential and popular across the African countries. The rest of the African continent emulated the route to independence that Ghana used, and by the mid nineteen sixties many African countries gained their freedom. Kwame Nkrumah was very significant and contributed so much to Africa’s decolonization process. By the mid of the twentieth century, colonialism was no longer politically right and, therefore, the European powers began to depart from Africa. However, they continued dominating the economic resources and enterprises of Africa. Thus, the decolonization process was achieved when the interests of the European economic started having a firm stand on the African continent. Despite of the true intentions of the Europeans, visionaries from Africa thought that this process of decolonization would be significant to the people of Africa who could get back their authority and power and save the remaining cultural beliefs and values. Intellectuals from Africa also thought that they could get rid of the influence that the Europeans had caused in Africa. Most of these intellectuals and visionaries were motivated by the Pan-Africanism philosophy. This philosophy was formed in Africa, and its aim was to promote awareness of the African and to push for advancement of all Africans (Boateng 94). Nkrumah was motivated by the one Marcus Garvey. Therefore, he decided to form a program that would systematically free Africa from neo-colonialism and colonialism. Kwame returned to Gold Coast when there were rapid tensions, and he engaged in serious discussions with the then leadership of the UGCC on constitutional reforms. Also, Nkrumah established the Youth Organization Committee, which was responsible for popularizing the activist of Pan-African (Leslie 1). Many people were opposed to the CYO because they said that it included a radical section or fewer privileged people and that it went against their outlook that was more conservative (Poe 103). Because of his efforts to create awareness about self-rule and telling people to boycott goods from Europeans, Nkrumah gained strong support throughout Gold Coast. The people in Ghana thus engaged in work slowdowns and labor strikes to show support. The CYO was then renamed to CPP and later decided to part ways with UGCC (Poe 106). After the split, CPP formed a new manifesto. It stated determination to achieve self-government, removal of all types of oppression, maintenance of unity and peace among Ghana’s different ethnic groups, and finally support and encouragement of trade unionism (Poe 134) In 1949, the Coussey Committee Report was published. This report suggested that Africans be included in government. However, this was a big blow to Nkrumah since this report failed to call for self-governance. Therefore, Nkrumah responded by forming the Ghana Representative Council whose aim was to initiate an appeal against that report (Boateng 96). He advocated internal self-rule idea. Moreover, in 1950, he gave a notice of his Positive Action Strike that was to be conducted nationwide on New Year’s Day (Boateng 105). Nkrumah was then arrested for civil disturbances, but CPP continued to exist as a political party and in 1951 first general election, it managed to win 34 out of 38 seats. On nineteenth February, Sir Noble Arden-Clarke, who was the then new Governor, signed a bill of release, therefore, freeing Nkrumah and other people from prison (Poe 146). After his release, Nkrumah was requested to form a government and later became the leader of Government Business. This period marked a significant impact in Gold Coast as Nkrumah was able to request for Gold Coast freedom (Poe 146-150). He was not ready to rest until self-governance was achieved in his country. He kept on pressing on for full independence and in nineteen fifty-six, the colonies’ state secretary reported that Gold Coast would achieve its independence on the sixth March 1957. Independent Ghana was born, which was named after the ancient traditional empire of West Africa (Boateng 126). Ghana was the most treasured territories by the British government. Therefore, the British government was unwilling to lose it. The success of Kwame was glorified and embraced by many throughout the whole continent. According to Poe (153), Nkrumah’s commitment was to set Africa free from imperialist control. When Guinea broke with France, Nkrumah’s commitment towards self-governance in Africa was reflected in his act of donating ten million pounds, in 1958. Moreover, Mali was granted a long-term loan after breaking with Senegal (Poe 157). Later, Ghana formed a political association with Guinea and Mali with aim of forming the United States of Africa. In addition, he supported Lumumba when Congo was hit by the crisis of nineteen sixty and sixty-one. He then approached several other states in Africa with the aim of giving assistance to any country that was faced by a crisis like that of Congo. For this reason, they formed the Joint High Command. Nkrumah argued that Europeans will always exploit Africa as far as the independent states of Africa are not united as a single nation. Furthermore, he explained that political unity of the sixty states in Africa would not only lead to Africa’s economic liberation, but also lead to the whole African continent’s economic plan. There reached a time when Nkrumah started to embrace Communism and, therefore, he was associated with communist leaders. During this period, the West used to despise and attack Communism. Kwame explained that his country commenced on the socialist path to progress. He further stated that he wanted to see Ghana progress with things such as good housing and equal opportunity for education (Leslie 1). Nkrumah was fearless and was ready to become enemies with the West, and this attitude brought new light in Africa. Kwame continued to develop Ghana through developmental projects, self-improvement, medical services improvement, and implementation of the river Volta hydro-electric dam at Akosombo, which all people proved to be expensive (Boateng 142). Moreover, he supported various projects (Leslie 1). He proposed crop diversification and established an Agricultural Development Board. Nkrumah was brilliant, and he corrected the injustices of the capitalist system that supported monopolization. Although Nkrumah had the intention of resurrecting the economy of Ghana, his overwhelming taxation demands led to his popularity decreasing. Despite him trying to maintain unity, he started to lose support even within his government (Poe 216). In 1966, Nkrumah went on a visit to access the Vietnam conflict and this created room for army officers to take power (PBS 1). In conclusion, Nkrumah played a significant role in the process of liberating Africa. His popularity lies on his stand in fighting injustices executed by neo-colonial and colonial powers. His brilliance in economic policies had a significant importance to people of Ghana. Nkrumah developing a country that was previously led by foreigners was a big trial. Eradication of the consequences of the previous foreign system needs more time and effort, for people to realize the benefits of programs that are newly instituted. Decolonization is still an ongoing process in Africa. Works Cited Boateng, Charles Adom. “The Political Legacy of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.” Lewiston: Edwin Mellen, 2003. Print. Leslie. “Kwame Nkrumahs contribution to the decolonization process in Africa.” Africaspeaks.com. Web. 13 February 2014. PBS. “Kwame Nkrumah.” Pbs.org. Web. 13 February 2014. Poe, D. Zizwe. “Kwame Nkrumahs Contribution to Pan-Africanism: An Afrocentric Analysis.” New York: Routledge, 2003. Print. Read More