SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DR KWAME NKRUMAH

1. Early Life: Kwame Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, a small
village in what was then the Gold Coast (now Ghana), which was a British colony at the
time.
2. Education Abroad: He pursued higher education in the United States, attending
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and later the University of Pennsylvania, where he
studied economics and sociology.
3. Influence of Marcus Garvey: Nkrumah was influenced by the ideas of Marcus
Garvey, a prominent Pan-Africanist leader, during his time in the United States.
4. Return to Ghana: In 1947, Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast and became a key
figure in the struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
5. Political Activism: He joined the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) but later
formed his own party, the Convention People's Party (CPP), which became a driving
force for independence.
6. "Positive Action" Campaign: Nkrumah led the "Positive Action" campaign in 1950,
advocating civil disobedience and nonviolent protest as a means to push for
independence.
7. Imprisonment: His activism led to his arrest and imprisonment by the British colonial
authorities on several occasions.
8. Independence Achieved: On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first African nation
south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule, with Nkrumah as its first
Prime Minister.
9. First President: Nkrumah served as Ghana's first Prime Minister and, after the
country became a republic in 1960, as its first President.
10. Pan-Africanist Ideals: He was a staunch advocate of Pan-Africanism, believing in
the unity and cooperation of African nations for the betterment of the continent.
11. OAU Co-Founder: Nkrumah played a pivotal role in the establishment of the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which aimed to promote African solidarity
and cooperation.
12. African Personality: He emphasized the idea of "African Personality," encouraging
Africans to embrace their cultural heritage and reject colonial influences.
13. Industrialization: Nkrumah promoted an ambitious industrialization program in
Ghana, known as the "Seven-Year Development Plan," aimed at modernizing the
country's infrastructure and economy.
14. Investment in Education: He prioritized education and established numerous
schools, universities, and vocational training centers across Ghana.
15. Personality Cult: Nkrumah's leadership style evolved into a personality cult, with
slogans like "Forward Ever, Backward Never" and the promotion of his image.
16. Economic Challenges: Despite his efforts, Ghana faced economic challenges,
including high inflation and debt, which led to criticism of his administration.
17. Overthrown: Nkrumah was overthrown in a coup while he was on a foreign trip in
1966. This marked the end of his presidency and his exile from Ghana.
18. Exile Years: He spent the remaining years of his life in exile in several countries,
including Guinea, where he was given asylum by President Sekou Toure.
19. Literary Works: Nkrumah was a prolific writer and authored several books, including
"Africa Must Unite" and "Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism."
20. Legacy of Pan-Africanism: He left a lasting legacy as a champion of Pan-
Africanism, inspiring future generations of African leaders and activists.
21. Nkrumah's Mausoleum: In Accra, Ghana, there is a mausoleum dedicated to
Nkrumah, where his remains are interred.
22. International Recognition: Nkrumah received various international awards and
honors, including honorary degrees from several universities.
23. Continued Influence: His ideas and vision for African unity continue to influence
African leaders and the Pan-Africanist movement.
24. Ideological Shift: Nkrumah's political ideology evolved from moderate nationalism to
more radical socialist and Pan-Africanist positions during his leadership.
25. Political Thought: He articulated his political philosophy in works like
"Consciencism," which sought to combine African values with Marxism and socialism.
26. Marital Life: Nkrumah was married to Fathia Nkrumah, an Egyptian woman, and
they had one son, Gamal.
27. Ghanaian Symbols: During his presidency, Nkrumah played a role in the design
and selection of Ghana's national symbols, including the flag and coat of arms.
28. Cultural Renaissance: He encouraged a cultural renaissance in Ghana, promoting
traditional arts, music, and dance as part of the nation's identity.
29. International Diplomacy: Nkrumah was an active diplomat, advocating for African
issues on the global stage, including decolonization and the end of apartheid in South
Africa.
30. End of Life: Kwame Nkrumah passed away on April 27, 1972, in Bucharest,
Romania. His body was later returned to Ghana for burial.

Projects by Dr Kwame Nkrumah that Ghanaians will forever remembered:

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

1. Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo
2. Cocoa marketing Board
3. Farmers Council
4. Meat processing Factory, Bolgatanga
5. Silos for food and Cocoa Storage
6. Tema Food Complex (GIHOC)
7. State Farms and Institutes

EDUCATION
8. Ghana Education Trust Policy
9. Afienya Gliding School
10. Compulsory free education for all
11. Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
12. Ghana Law School
13. Ghana Medical School
14. Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Training Institute
15. National Research Council/ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
16. Polytechnics, Secondary and Technical Schools all over the country
17. Secondary Schools including: Mfantsiman Secondary School, Ofori anyin
Secondary School, Techiman Secondary School, Winneba Secondary School,
Swedru Secondary School, Apam Secondary School, Dormaa Secondary School,
Tema Secondary School, Oda Secondary School, and Labone Secondary
School.
18. Colleges of Education including: Kwadaso College of Education, Atebubu
Training College, Berekum Training College, Fosu Training College, and Enchi
Training College. Ghana National College.
19. Universities and Technical Institutes including: Ajumako School of Languages
(NOW UEW), Accra Polytechnic (Now Accra technical University), University of
Cape Coast (UCC), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(KNUST), Institute of African Studies, Kwame Nkrumah Institute of Economics
and Political Science (Now South Campus of UEW), Made University of Ghana a
full Fledged University to award its own degrees.

20. University Scholarships for study abroad

21. Young pioneer Institute
22. Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo

INDUSTRY
23. Asutuare Sugar Factory
24. Bonsa Tyre Manufacturing
25. Ghana Cement Factory, Takoradi
26. Ghana Distilleries
27. Ghana glass factory
28. Ghana household utilities manufactures (GHUMCO), Sekondi
29. Ghana jute factory
30. Ghana shoe factory
31. GIHOC Fibre Products Company
32. GIHOC (Nsawam Cannery)
33. Gold processing factory, Prestea
34. Komenda sugar factory
35. Match factory, Kade, Pwalugu
36. Meat processing facory, Bolgatanga
37. Rice Mill Factory, Bolgatanga
38. Paper processing factory
39. Tema Oil Refinery
40. Tomato processing factory, Wenchi
41. Valco Tema Steel Factory
42. Zuarungu Meat Factory
 JOB CREATION
43. Job 600
44. Workers Brigade

HEALTH
45. Free medical care for all citizens
46. Okomfo Anokye Hospital
47. Made Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
48. Established GIHOC Pharmaceuticals

INFRASTRUCTURE AND STATE HOUSING

49. Adomi Bridge
50. Ghana Housing Corporation
51. State Hotels (Star, Meridian, Ambassador, Continental now Golden Tulip Accra,
Atlantic, City)
52. Trade Fair Centre
53. In Accra (Labone Estates, Kanda Estates, Osu Ringway Estates, Airport
Residential Area, Peduase Lodge)
54. In Kumasi (Patasi Estate, Kwadaso Estate, Buokrom Estate, North and South
Suntreso)
55. Tema Township (Communities)

TRANSPORT
56. Accra International Airport Refurbishment
57. Ghana Airways Corporation
58. Ghana Black Star Shipping line
59. Takoradi Harbour
60. Tema Motorway

STATE OWNED ENTERRISES

61. Ghana Black Star Line with almost 15 ships.
62. Bank of Ghana
63. Agricultural Development Bank
64. Ghana Commercial Bank
65. National Investment Bank
66. State Insurance Company (SIC)
67. Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
68. Tema Oil Refinery
69. National management and Productivity Institute
70. Ghana Film Industries
71. Ghana Airways Corporation
72. National Trading Corporation
73. Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD)
74. Tema Steel Works
75. Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).

OTHER PROJECTS
76. New Army Headquarters in Volta Region, Sunyani, Bolgatanga, Tema, Takoradi.
77. Nsawam Prison
78. Trade Union Congress
79. Ghana Film Industries
80. National Cultural Centre
81. Ghana Museums
82. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation