Why was kwame nkrumah policies criticized

Praeger, , p. CrossRef Google Scholar. LaVerle Berry, ed. Dennis L. Peter Schwab 1 1. His detractors still deeply resent the fact that he imposed a one party state and passed laws that landed his opponents in jail. But if there are any merits in these criticisms — and perhaps there are — we should agree with Dr Peter Omari , a former executive director of the African Centre for Applied Research and Training in Social Development , that Ghanaians must take some of the blame for allowing one man so much scope that they could virtually be enslaved through fear and cowardice.

Omari also notes that, however Ghanaians might judge Nkrumah, they ought not to forget that he was a true reflection of the Ghanaian personality — good and bad. All these controversies have led, every now and again, to his legacies being questioned and debated.

Nkrumah arrived in the Gold Coast on 14 November He immediately assumed his secretarial duties, offering to work without pay after he realised that the party had no funds to pay his monthly salary. Eventually, the leadership prevailed on him to accept a fraction of the salary.

Nkrumah immediately drew up a detailed, radical plan which he presented to the leadership of the United Gold Coast Convention. He suggested that the party set up branches in every corner of the country and embarks on demonstrations, strikes and boycotts to press for independence. My book explores such external influence throughout a number of chapters that in turn assess:. Nevertheless, it is necessary to confront the realities of neo-colonialism which continue to exist in African contexts. To refuse to confront these realities — from a position of academic privilege — is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the wellbeing of poorer peoples on the continent.

Only by recovering Nkrumah and the concept of neo-colonialism can current writers hope to meaningfully confront the dilemmas of under development that continue to affect millions of poorer Africans. It is certainly not a new concept but one that certainly needs to still be addressed. If a development project aims to successful serve a community in need, its beneficiaries must absolutely give their consent.

Also, a personal conflict between Toure and the Soviet ambassador contributed to Soviet-Guinean animosity. In this climate, the election of Kennedy offered an alternative for Toure. In light of the isolation imposed by France, Guinea was dependent on Soviet aid. Kennedy, however, made the U. Once again, the Soviet goal of promoting a revolutionary socialist state in Africa was confounded by realities.

Although Ghana and Guinea attracted the first U. In January , the Belgian government granted Congolese demands for independence. Six months later, the Congolese were free of Belgian rule.

Unfortunately, the Congolese had not been prepared for independence. The Congo faced enormous problems. Only a handful had earned college degrees, and only a few were trained professionals. To make matters worse, many Europeans In the Congo, fearing retaliation from formerly oppressed blacks, fled the country. Such a power vacuum was tempting to both superpowers, especially since the Congo held strategic and economic significance. Located in the center of Africa, the Congo held a vital position bordering nine nations.

Economically, the West obtained 49 percent of its cobalt and 69 percent of its industrial diamonds from the Congo. Iron, gold, zinc, copper, bauxite, and tantalum a mineral necessary In U. The instability of the Congo was not long in surfacing.

Just five days after independence, a rebellion erupted. Congolese soldiers in Leopoldville revolted against their remaining Belgian superiors. With his speeches on the Africanization of the Congo, Prime Minister Lumumba indirectly supported the military revolt. The local rebellion quickly went nationwide. Lumumba soon made his support explicit by dismissing all 1, Belgian officers. Head of State Kasavubu, however, wished to maintain Western contacts.

Lumumba could not afford to upset Kasavubu. It was only through granting Kasavubu the position of Head of State that the various Congolese factions allowed Lumumba to lead the diverse coalition government Lumumba and Kasavubu, however, were forced to reach a common policy.

On 10 Jury , Belgium sent paratroopers to reinforce their troops stationed in the Congo. They were successful in suppressing the rebellious Congolese, particularly in Katanga province. Such intervention helped precipitate the secession of Katanga, provider of one-half the national revenue Jury, Both Lumumba and Kasavubu appealed to the UN for emergency forces.

Nevertheless, ideological differences remained between the two. Kasavubu was pro-Western; Lumumba was a strong advocate of socialism Jackson, Such a distinction was not lost on the Eisenhower administration.

Furthermore, Eisenhower maintained that it was Lumumba himself, not the Belgians, who had caused the disorder. Lumumba, however, did not immediately count the West out The UN had already sent 10, peacekeepers, so accommodation was possible. If no Western nation helps us, why can we not call on other nations? Lumumba was snubbed in his late July visit to Washington; Eisenhower did not even meet with him.

But it was Lumumba who paid the price. Later that day, Lumumba fired Kasavubu. According to Nkrumah, there was no doubt as to whom the UN favored in this split On September 6, the UN forces closed down the Leopoldville radio station.

It deprived Lumumba of the means to address the people while Kasavubu, broadcasting freely on Brazzaville radio [was] openly stirring up anti-Lumumbist feeling. How could such action of the United Nations possibly be justified when Lumumba was the lawful Prime Minister? Nevertheless, Lumumba moved his organization underground.