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Ghana, Nkrumah paved way for other black African countries

ACCRA, Ghana -- Fifty years of independence, four republics, three successful military coups, several failed attempts, five civilian governments, three military governments and nine leaders -- that is the chequered history of Ghana, which celebrates its golden jubilee on Tuesday, March 6.

Now, however, the country believes it is on autopilot on a smooth super highway towards democracy.

When Ghana achieved independence from Britain in 1957, there were high hopes for the West African state as it blazed the trail. The country's flag of red, gold and green with a black star in the middle was the pride of Africa.

Being the first country south of the Sahara to be free, its first president Kwame Nkrumah told his countrymen that they had to work hard and show that Africans were capable of managing their own affairs.

Nkrumah, a Pan-Africanist to the marrow, embraced the continent, and Ghana became the Mecca for freedom fighters who sought to achieve independence for their countries.

Historians describe him as an anti-colonial, anti-neo-colonial, and anti-imperialist leader who emerged as one of the most influential Pan-Africanists of the 20th century...
Read entire article at South Africa Press Agency & DPA (German Press Agency)