Gabriella Alonzo
Project 1: Kwame Nkrumah
The Gold Coast had been among the wealthiest and most socially advanced areas in Africa. Under Nkrumah’s leadership, Ghana adopted some socialist policies and practices. Nkrumah created a welfare system, started various community programs, and established schools.
In 1909, Kwame Nkrumah was born in the Gold Coast. Which is now known as Ghana. Nkrumah graduated from the Achimota School in 1930, studied at a Roman Catholic seminary, and taught at a Catholic school in Axim. In 1935 he left Ghana for the United States, receiving a Bachelor of the Arts from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania in 1939, where he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1942. Nkrumah earned a Master of Science in education from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942, and a Master of Arts in philosophy in 1943. While lecturing in political science at Lincoln he was elected president of the African Students Organization of America and Canada.
During his time in the United States, Nkrumah often preached at black Presbyterian Churches in Philadelphia and New York City. He read books about politics and tutored students in philosophy. He arrived in London on May of 1945. After meeting with George Padmore, he helped organize the Fifth Pan-African Congress in Manchester, England. Then he served as Vice-President of the West African Students' Union.
In 1947, Nkrumah was invited to serve as the General Secretary to the United Gold Coast Convention. The convention was exploring paths to independence so Nkrumah accepted the position and returned to the Gold Coast.
In February 1948, police fired on an African ex-serviceman who was protesting the rising cost of living. The shooting fueled riots in Accra, Kumasi, and elsewhere. The government thought the UGCC was behind the protests and arrested Nkrumah and other party leaders. After realizing they were wrong, the British released the convention leaders. After his imprisonment by the colonial...