“Ghana your beloved country is free forever!"
Dr Kwame Nkrumah; led Ghana to its Independence in 1957
Ghanaians paraded the streets of Accra shouting with joy as Dr Kwame Nkrumah was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Ghana on 6th March 1957. Nkrumah speech, full of promises of a better future for Ghanaians, gave the people hope. 50 years later his plans are yet to be realized.
Ghana's Independence Arch, built in 1957
At the time of independence, Ghana inherited 600 million pounds from Britain, of which 200 million was taken back to compensate the British military for attacks led by the Ashantis. After being elected president in 1960, Nkrumah's government started development programs aimed at proliferating state farms and industries which could in turn employ the local people. They improved many healthcare facilities, provided free education for all Ghanaians and implemented price controls aimed at reducing inflation. Additionally, they built the hydroelectric generator, the Akosombo Dam, that currently provides electricity to the whole of Ghana.
The Akosombo Dam; provides electricity to the whole of Ghana
Nkrumah’s future plans included improving communication and transportation infrastructure, introducing bauxite mined in the Akosombo region as another source of income via exports, and renovating the Cape Coast harbor to include military fascilities.
This period of rapid growth was brought to a halt when Nkrumah’s government was overthrown during a military coup in 1966. This coup followed protests by Nkrumah’s political opponents about his development plans; certain people in high political positions thought his ideas were too grandiose. At the time of the overthrow, a lot of money was stolen that still remains to be accounted for.
Furthermore the period of 1966-1979 was a period of political instability. Political highlights during this period include Kofi Busia’s election into power and his overthrow by Colonel Acheampong in 1969 and 1972 respectively. In 1979 a coup led by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings ousted General Akuffo’s civilian government (after he took over in 1978). Rawlings regained political power after voluntarily handing over power to Hilla Limann in 1981 and was elected president on 1992. During this time, the British inheritance was completely spent by corrupt governments or short term governments who were unable to analyze the Ghanaian economy long enough to make more effective decisions regarding fund allocations. Additionally, interest rates on foreign loans, borrowed to restore social activities previously funded by the inheritance, accrued as they couldn’t be paid back. Nkrumah’s vision for Ghana was put on hold.