52 years ago, Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, died in Bucharest, Romania.

Exactly 52 years ago, on the 27th of April, 1972, Ghana’s first president and prime minister, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, passed away in Bucharest, Romania after a short illness.

After being deposed by the National Liberation Council (NLC) on February 24th, 1966, he did not repatriate to his native country subsequent to his overthrow.

He resided with President Sekou Toure of Guinea due to his exceptional role in the country’s independence movement.

It is purported that Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, the former Prime Minister of Ghana, declined his request to seek medical treatment in the country.

Kwame Nkrumah, a selfless individual, dedicated his efforts towards fostering the growth and stability of Africa. However, due to envy from external forces, he was eventually ousted from power.

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The visionary leader who spearheaded the independence of Gold Coast is revered as one of the influential figures who resisted the oppressive British colonial rule in Gold Coast (Ghana) and across Africa.Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s enduring contributions to the socio-economic progress of Ghana solidified his position as the most exceptional Head of State the country has ever had post-independence.

A Brief Biography of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, located in the Western Region of Ghana. He pursued his secondary education at Achimota College, where he encountered Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey, a Gold Coast missionary and educator. Nkrumah was deeply inspired by Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey’s expertise, prompting him to further his studies in the United States at the University of Pennsylvania

Subsequently, he moved to  the United Kingdom. During his time in London, he developed a strong sense of political awareness through interactions with fellow African leaders who were fervently opposed to European governance in Africa.

Together, they established a Protest Movement to challenge British colonial rule.

Nkrumah’s involvement with the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C) began on August 4, 1947, when he was recommended by Arko Adjei to assume the role of General Secretary, which he accepted upon returning to his homeland. After a few years of service, Nkrumah parted ways with UGCC due to differing views on self-governance methods, leading to the formation of his own Convention People’s Party (CPP) on June 12, 1949.In 1950, Nkrumah initiated Positive Action, a non-violent protest against colonial rule, which garnered significant support for his cause. He secured victories in the 1951, 1954, and 1956 elections, reflecting his ideologies, widespread popularity, and the appeal of his party.

On March 6, 1957, Nkrumah declared Gold Coast’s independence, and the following year, he convened a conference in Accra for Independent African States with the aim of establishing a United States of Africa. On July 1, 1960, Kwame Nkrumah was officially inaugurated as Ghana’s first president.

Nkrumah played a pivotal role in founding the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and utilized the platform of the United Nations to advocate for the rights of the black community. His efforts in promoting peace extended to Vietnam, where he was present during a visit that coincided with his government’s overthrow in 1966.He spent his later years in Bucharest, where he eventually passed away. May his soul rest in eternal peace.