Kwame Nkrumah

Date of Birth: September 21, 1909

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: April 27, 1972

Biography

Kwame Nkrumah was a prominent Ghanaian statesman, who led the Gold Coast to independence from Britain and became the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana. Born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, Gold Coast (now Ghana), Nkrumah was instrumental in the Pan-African movement and advocated for the unification of African countries. Educated in the United States, he attended Lincoln University and the University of Pennsylvania, where he was influenced by ideas of socialism and anti-colonialism. After returning to the Gold Coast, Nkrumah founded the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and led the country to independence in 1957. His tenure was marked by ambitious industrial and infrastructural projects, but also by increasing political repression and economic challenges. Overthrown in a military coup in 1966, Nkrumah spent his later years in exile in Guinea, where he was named honorary co-president. He died on April 27, 1972, in Bucharest, Romania.

5 Interesting Facts about Kwame Nkrumah

1. Kwame Nkrumah was the key figure in Ghana’s independence movement and the first African country to gain independence from colonial rule.

2. He was a major proponent of Pan-Africanism and played a significant role in the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

3. Nkrumah published several influential books, including “Africa Must Unite” and “Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism.”

4. He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962 for his efforts in promoting world peace.

5. Nkrumah’s government built the Akosombo Dam, which created Lake Volta, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kwame Nkrumah

1. “We face neither East nor West; we face forward.”

2. “It is far better to be free to govern or misgovern yourself than to be governed by anybody else.”

3. “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.”

4. “Seek ye first the political kingdom and all other things shall be added unto you.”

5. “Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. They claim it as their own and none can keep it from them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures for Kwame Nkrumah’s net worth are not available, it is known that he did not amass personal wealth during his time in office. His focus was on national development rather than personal enrichment.

Children

Kwame Nkrumah had three children: Gamal Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah, and Sekou Nkrumah. Samia Nkrumah is a notable politician who served as the chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in Ghana.