Ghana’s opposition Convention People’s Party (CPP) on Tuesday marked the 60th anniversary of the Feb. 24, 1966 coup that overthrew Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, describing the event as a turning point that derailed the country’s political and economic trajectory.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Kwame Nkrumah Botsio, the party said the coup interrupted what it characterized as a national agenda focused on political sovereignty and economic independence.
The CPP said Ghana achieved political independence on March 6, 1957, but argued that Nkrumah’s broader vision also centered on economic self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on foreign loans and grants. According to the statement, the Nkrumah-led government pursued rapid industrialization, establishing hundreds of state-owned factories aimed at producing goods locally.
The party described the 1966 military takeover as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” alleging that subsequent narratives distorted the historical record.
Defense of Nkrumah’s Leadership
Addressing longstanding criticisms of Nkrumah’s governance, the CPP rejected claims that he was a dictator. The statement maintained that Nkrumah worked through Parliament and subjected major policy proposals to legislative debate and approval.
The party also defended the enactment of the Prevention Detention Act (PDA), a controversial law that allowed for the detention of individuals without trial. The CPP said the legislation was introduced by Parliament amid heightened security threats and assassination attempts against Nkrumah, and was intended to safeguard national stability.
One-Party State Debate
The CPP further disputed assertions that Nkrumah unilaterally imposed a one-party state. It cited a 1964 national referendum in which voters approved constitutional amendments that formalized Ghana as a one-party state under the CPP. The party said the move was designed to reduce political tensions and focus on national development.
Appeal to Government
The CPP expressed appreciation to the administration of John Dramani Mahama and the parliamentary majority for what it described as steps toward correcting historical injustices against the party.
It also renewed calls for the return of properties and financial assets it said were confiscated following the 1966 coup. The party maintained that these assets, including office buildings and bank accounts, were lawfully acquired but unlawfully seized.
Party Reorganization Efforts
As part of what it termed a strategy to “rebuild, reconcile and reorganize,” the CPP announced it is reopening its membership to former members who left the party due to internal grievances, as well as those previously suspended or expelled.
The statement concluded with the party’s longstanding slogan: “Forward Ever, Backward Never.”
The 1966 coup, carried out by the National Liberation Council while Nkrumah was abroad, remains one of the most consequential events in Ghana’s post-independence history.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
