Ghana, West Africa was the sixth African nation to gain independence on March 6, 1957, and only the fourth to gain independence from British rule. Formerly known as the Gold Coast, Ghana was and is still know for its riches, which ere gold, diamonds, and cocoa. One very influential pioneer political leader was Kwame Nkrumah who helped, not only Ghana, but also many African nations in their endeavor in decolonizing Africa. As many countries, which are just getting their footing after being ruled by a mother country, Ghana had to deal with many issues, economically and politically, corruption and poverty, among many things. Through all it’s troubles many people of African descent (black people) find their roots in Africa but use many countries
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African Americans wanted to build on this potential and aid a black nation in it’s growth after colonial rule so they “flocked to Ghana in the 1950s and 1960s to assist the Nkrumah government in the new experiment at nation building in black Africa” (Akyeampong 26). Many civil rights leaders displayed solidarity with Ghana in their celebration of independence. Many leaders were in attendance including those of the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr. Under Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s freedom became the motivation for many other African nations still under colonial rule and ultimately set off a ripple effect that saw many of these nations gaining their independence as …show more content…
Hart, the colonized nations of Africa had an “every state for itself and God for us all” mentality (95). President Nkrumah was the one who “sparked the fire of political emancipation which is irresistibly sweeping over the continent of Africa today (95). He wanted African states to work together to forge independence not just from a freedom from European rule perspective but an independence that allows Africans to solve their problems and reverse the negative effects of colonialism has had on the continent as a whole. Africans had trouble doing so without contemplating aid from other countries, like America, and he wanted this autonomy so that countries like Ghana can garner respect, globally after being under colonial rule. If America could do it, why can’t we? That was his reasoning. Africa has a reputation of always needing help to kick start their economy and end hunger and disease but, Nkrumah wanted to change that because even though Africa did not put these problems on itself, these were African problems that only Africans can
African Americans wanted to build on this potential and aid a black nation in it’s growth after colonial rule so they “flocked to Ghana in the 1950s and 1960s to assist the Nkrumah government in the new experiment at nation building in black Africa” (Akyeampong 26). Many civil rights leaders displayed solidarity with Ghana in their celebration of independence. Many leaders were in attendance including those of the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr. Under Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s freedom became the motivation for many other African nations still under colonial rule and ultimately set off a ripple effect that saw many of these nations gaining their independence as …show more content…
Hart, the colonized nations of Africa had an “every state for itself and God for us all” mentality (95). President Nkrumah was the one who “sparked the fire of political emancipation which is irresistibly sweeping over the continent of Africa today (95). He wanted African states to work together to forge independence not just from a freedom from European rule perspective but an independence that allows Africans to solve their problems and reverse the negative effects of colonialism has had on the continent as a whole. Africans had trouble doing so without contemplating aid from other countries, like America, and he wanted this autonomy so that countries like Ghana can garner respect, globally after being under colonial rule. If America could do it, why can’t we? That was his reasoning. Africa has a reputation of always needing help to kick start their economy and end hunger and disease but, Nkrumah wanted to change that because even though Africa did not put these problems on itself, these were African problems that only Africans can