Nkrumah (Ghana)

"Nkrumahism"

Dreamed of making a united Africa, as powerful as super powers like US (economically, politically, and military), with himself as a leader → had unique ability to do this Built institute in his name costing millions of dollars - construct elaborate political theories Ideology for the New Africa free from imperialism, united Africa / continental scale, drawing strength from modern science, technology, and traditional African belief that free development of one is from free development of all Like Marxism Helps him justify a one-party state

Causes of his fall from power

Economic plight Corruption Government mismanagement Decision to interfere with the military Army had stood aside, even though concerned about Nkrumah, untill own interests threatened Attempted to subordinate the army to his own purposes through infiltrating them with party spies and to split up its cohesion → produced anger and resentment Anger over favourable treatment of his private army (Own Guard Regiment) who got modern weapons and were paid more - rest suffered from shortages February 24th, 1966: Army leads rebellion Nkrumah in Beijing Supporters swiftly deserted him In cities crowds welcomed soldiers + celebrated by ripping down photographs Statue outside of parliament destroyed Youth march through the street say "Nkrumah is NOT our Messiah"

Government, Politics and Corruption

Government Gains authoritative power 1960 constitution: Ghana is republic; Nkrumah can ignore parliament, dismiss anyone, us his fund however → gains control over media Preventative Detention Act - allows to put anyone in jail without trial → Passed through parliament → locked up those who opposed it - "security measure" Criminal punishments for people who disrespect "Head of State: CPP control branched out everywhere → Compelled to be subordinate: civil service, trade unions, farmers' organisations and youth groups Government purges- killed those who opposed him, sets up special court for political offenses where they can't win Corruption National Development Corporation Special company Nkrumah set up to collect bribes - get wealthy Facilitated the handling of bribes from foreign businessmen and others seeking government contracts CPP: it is chaotic politics Battle for power and influence → Party officials + MPs spent time promoting family interests and pursuing business activities Ministers collected money from government contracts - others extorted it Nkrumah denounces corrupt members → investigation into their assets → said either resign or give up loot → didn't do anything, never revealed, corruption went on. One-party state (1964) Rigged voting, threats against non-participants through press, results blatantly rigged (0.1% voted no) Made no difference → all opposition silenced + CPP served no purpose (powerless under Nkrumah)

Tawia Adamafio

Journalist that was asked by Nkrumah to be CPP general secretary in 1960 Adamafio reluctant to accept Jealousies, rumour mongering, name-smearing, character assassination, party struggle, greed, bribery, corruption Eventually gave in → became one of Nkrumah's closest confidants

Prevention Detention Act

Made 1958 - used after new constitution 1960 Allowed arrest without trial Done because CPP control criticized + challenged 11/12 of parliament members who tried to block passage ended up in prison 1961 became a criminal offence for anyone to show disrespect to the Head of State

Economic Policies - in industry and agriculture

Organisation of African Unity goals: economic development and social progress Industrialisation: Would enable African states to break out of their colonial trading patterns → end dependence on raw material / agriculture exports + manufactured imports Would provide higher productivity and create urban employment Import-substituting industry Replace need for imported goods by creating local manufacturing for domestic markets → balance payments position + save foreign exchange Shift from low-productivity agriculture to high-productivity manufacturing "The circle of poverty can only be broken by a massively planned industrial undertaking" - Nkrumah Development ineffective: Rapid creation of systems, projects and institutions with little strategy; Nkrumah is impulsive w/ enormous projects (people took advantage). Many projects do not offer payback, aren't used much, or aren't as helpful as cheaper ones. (too eager to sign projects) Industrialisation programme evidently fails → bad track of spending / debt

National Development Corporation

Special company Nkrumah set up to collect bribes Facilitated the handling of bribes from foreign businessmen and others seeking government contracts With control of companies like the National Development Corporation and by using government funds for personal use, he became very wealthy

Special Branch

Towards end of regime Gather intelligence + hound political opponents Suppressed political opposition and dissent violently and through intelligence gathering Did: Unofficial censorship Telephone-tapping Exit permits (without one you couldn't leave the country)

Convention People's Party (CPP)

1949 Demanding "Self-Government Now" Said would solve all hardships from colonial rule + bring opportunity and prosperity threatened to wreck Britain's plan for constitutional reform if not granted Became idol to young and poor: generated excitement, hope, expectation Call of freedom was an offer of salvation → got a ton of support Socialist political party in Ghana based on the ideas of the first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah. After independence: Used to establish vast apparatus of control Declared party "supreme" Compelled to be subordinate: civil service, trade unions, farmers' organisations and youth groups Internal disparate interests → degenerated into battleground between rival factions Corruption Battle for power and influence Party officials + members of parliament spent time promoting family + clan interests and pursuing business activities Ministers collected money from government contracts - others extorted it Favors + money from businessmen and civil service for protection and benefits Government funds squandered in different directions (Guinea Press Money - Nkrumah company - 1.8 million Euros)

"Positive Action Campaign"

1949 - part of CPP Nkrumah denounced the British plan for constitutional reform as "bogus and fraudulent" Strikes, boycotts, agitation and propaganda Intended to force Britain to agree to immediate self-government Nkrumah's ideology Gain mass-based support: unions, peasant associations, business associations, etc. Nkrumah is successful at getting their support He was really likeable

Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB)

1954 - after 2nd election In final stages of Colonial Rule, Gold Coast had division and violence Core of crisis was cocoa money CMB protected farmers from price fluctuations Each year it fixed a guaranteed price for farmers and acted as the sole buyer, grader, seller and exporter of cocoa Nkrumah instructed CMB to keep prices as low as possible → aiming to raise funds for development projects But CMB was corrupt and mismanaged → exploited to benefit CPP supporters

National Liberation Movement (NLM)

1954 - after CMB Before: Nkrumah fixed price paid to farmers for four years at a level less than one-third of ruling word prices (see CMB) Decision provoked surge of anger across Asante (central forest region where half of Ghana's cocoa was grown) (region in Ghana) Farmers, cocoa traders, merchants, and businessmen based in Asante resented loss of income Formed in 1954 Set up by disaffected Ashanti members of the Convention People's Party Opposition party to the CPP Said to be defending Asante interests and culture against a corrupt, dictatorial government that undermines the beliefs and customs of Asante people Demanded a federal constitution that gave Asante and other areas that wanted it local government units (local autonomy) Nkrumah misjudged extent of support → violence broke out between NLM + CPP Bomb attack made on Nkrumah's house Resulted in British being alarmed → no date for independence → new election → CPP wins

Foreign Policy

1963 - Nkrumah regime decided overstretched itself in foreign affairs Implement policy of closing embassies (meant taking away jobs and shrinking foreign affairs "empire") Ghana's excessive loans + aids to some less developed nations could not be justified considering Ghana's dire needs (huge debt) Trotskyism → whether to spread Ghana's freedom through Africa or focus on own development Not in office 1957-1966 → result of exporting revolution Becomes more invested in pan-Africanism (union of Africa), more anti-west and obviously more socialist Large financial contributions to various African Liberation movements in Africa (50s + 60s) Some belief money did not reach destination → emissaries

"Job 600"

1965 Crowning folly of Nkrumah's regime Construction of grand complex of buildings for a single conference of OAU heads of state in 1965 Cost 10 million Euros Launched at time when factories starved of raw materials, food queues were common, hospitals short of drugs and state corporations were bankrupt Nkrumah's dream was that the complex would also serve as a future capital for a union government of Africa Contained 60 self-contained suites that would have satisfied the demands of millionaires Banqueting hall that could seat 2,000 guests + really fancy fountains

Organisation of African Unity (OAU)

1965 Event renowned for producing little else than bombast and rhetoric from assembled Heads of state Governments competed for privilege of holding the conference Example of lavish spending 1965 Nkrumah built giant palace for it Other presidents spent up to half of their national budgets on buildings "Job 600"

Cult of Personality

A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods to create an idealized, heroic, and at times worshipful image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise. "Nkrumahism" (ideology of Nkrumah) Desire to be all-important leader Dreamed of making powerful united Africa with himself as leader → he had unique ability to do this Had sparked independence in africa after Ghana 1st → high self esteem + ambitions → wants to be Mao or Marx of Africa → same impact over whole region Spends millions - builds institute for his own name and ideas Nkrumah accustomed to endless praise (has control over media) everyday press expressed how amazing he is - assumed titles like "Man of Destiny" "Star of Africa" Presence inescapable face on everything from coins to stamps, statue outside parliament, birthday public holiday, framed pictures in offices + shops But leads isolated life suspicious of colleagues, withdrew from most people, party activists told him how good he was, possibly depressed, marries + has family w/ woman who does not speak language and he had never met

Role in Independance

Basically led protest against British rule Britain wanted to grant "semi-independent government" - allow a general election, a national assembly w/ African majority, and new executive council w/ mostly African ministers → run internal affairs Started Convention People's party (1949) Promised "Self-Government Now" would solve colonial rule hardships + bring opportunity and prosperity Became idol to young and poor: generated excitement, hope, expectation Call of freedom was an offer of salvation → got a ton of support "Positive Action Campaign" Denounced British plan for constitutional reform Strikes, boycotts, agitation and propaganda Intended to force Britain to agree to immediate self-government Was put in jail for 3 years for being a communist and against the British → jail sentence increases popularity Registered as presidential election candidate for 1951 elections while in prison 1952 Election: CCP wins majority seats (34/38). Nkrumah wins by huge percentage. British official decides to set him free, as only option to have cohesive + peaceful government 1953: Demanded in parliament full self-government without delay 1954: British grant new constitution be made w/ all-African cabinet March 6, 1957: Ghana given full self-government within 1 year of Nkrumah

Frantz Fanon

Black psychiatrist, philosopher, revolutionary and writer who believed that Africa required revolutionary violence to throw off the shackles of its colonial past in order to attain true socialism (postcolonial studies, critical theory, Marxism)

Agriculture

Considered incapable of providing the engine of economic growth Drop in economy/cocoa prices in 1961 → severe taxes → protesting / strikes by dock and railway workers → Nkrumah represses strikes + arrests leaders w/o trials Agriculture under-emphasized: State farms given money over peasant farms, but produce 1/5 their production → Huge decrease in cocoa exports cause farmers to sell on black market Socialism to fix economy It was seen to be able to shift economy so that it benefits people and provides products to own country, quickest way to transition from colonial economy. Why the economy development failed: Disinterest in economic matters (as opposed to political ones, himself) Over-hasty economic planning Lack of proper supervision of the Government Lack of due emphasis on agriculture Ghana essentially bankrupt by 1963, after being one of richest in Africa