Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism

Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) was a prominent African nationalist, pan-Africanist, and the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana. His personal political experience gives him insight into the practicalities and the travails which face countries seeking independence from imperialist powers. In Neo-Colonialism, he shares what he has learned with his readers.

Nkrumah is dedicated to the liberation of Africa from colonial rule and the promotion of African unity. As a youngster, he excelled academically and trained as a teacher in Accra before moving to the United States in 1935 to further his studies. His time in the US exposed him to ideas of Black liberation, socialism, and Pan-Africanism, with intellectual influences ranging from Marcus Garvey to Karl Marx, many of whom he cites throughout Neo-Colonialism.

Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast in 1947 to join the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), a political party pushing for self-governance. However, Nkrumah soon found the UGCC’s methods too conservative and broke away to form his own party, the Convention People’s Party (CPP), in 1949. His slogan, “Self-government now,” resonated with the masses, particularly the working class and youth. This call for autonomy is echoed throughout Neo-Colonialism.

In 1957, Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast) became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule, with Nkrumah as its first prime minister.