What were the Contribution of Ghana in Nationalistic Struggle in other African countries.

Decolonization through Constitutional Means in Ghana

• Ghana mass nationalism began in 1940’s with the formation of political parties which demanded political independence through peacefully means, the political parties which were formed include; 

The United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)

• This was formed by J.B Ndaguah in 1947 and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah becomes the general secretary. The party was formed as the result of “Burns Constitution” which was introduced by Sir Allan Burns who was a governor by the time. In this constitution, it provided that the majority of members in the Legislative would be the Africans but the result was vice versa. This is because the Africans were not given the chances to make law and decisions matter in the Legislative council. For example, out of 18 seats were chiefs elected by their fellow chiefs (the support of British). Therefore the formation of UGCC was to oppose it and demand for independence. 

Convection People’s Party (CPP)

• This was formed by radical group which broke away from UGCC under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah in 1948. CPP become a popular party which was supported by people found in rural areas and town dwellers. Its struggle for independence was done through the following methods;

a. The use of youth as its political base to conduct a national wide strike against the constitution and the government.

b. The party had a newspaper called “The Accra Evening News” which spread the message that demanded independence of Ghana immediately.

c. It conducted mass rallies were by CPP use two powerful slogans such as “Seek first the political kingdom and all things shall be ended into it” and “Self-government Now”. However the Britain were threatened by the party hence they later imprison many of its leaders and burned its activities including the party news (Accra Evening News).



The Northern People’s Party (NPP)
This was formed in 1954 but it was a work party among all the parties which were formed.


Generally, the struggle between these political parties led to holding elections for independence, e.g. the Election took place in 1951 and CPP won 33 seats against 3 seats of UGCC. At this period Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was released from the jail to form a government in 1952, in the Gold Coast, in 1956 there were more election where CPP won 71 seats and 33 seats were won by the opposition. On 6th march 1957, Gold Coast became independent taking the name of the ancient Ghana Empire in 1960 Ghana became republic with Kwame Nkrumah being the president.




Reasons for the success of CPP

• Good leadership of Kwame Nkrumah as he managed to unite all people to struggle for independence.

• The party received much support from the peasants who comprised the big number of the population (The oppressed or exploited group)

• The use of slogan like “Self Government Now”. This was understood for all people as they knew that CPP was struggling for African government.

• Why Ghana achieved independence earlier.

• Good leadership. It had strong leadership such as CPP under Kwame Nkrumah.

• There was no tribalism from the CPP united all people in their struggle for independence.

• There were no settler in Ghana; therefore Ghana had no strong opposition from the white population hence it successfully gained her full independence in earlier 1957, thus being the first country in African to attain independence.

• The use of youth in nationalistic struggles of CPP, the youth were employed because had ability to walk for long time and distances in the process of spreading nationalistic ideas.

• The use of good slogan example “Self Government Now” and “Seek first the political kingdom and all things shall be ended into it”

• The CPP had clear policies and elaborative programs that promised to serve the people from the bitter price of cocoa, higher payment to workers and getting rid of colonialism.

Contribution of Ghana in Nationalistic Struggle in other African countries.

• The independence of Ghana was an inspiration to other African countries, example. Other African countries like Tanganyika and others nationalist used Kwame Nkrumah as their model to fight for independence.

• Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah strengthened Pan-Africanism movement which opposed colonialism. Example. In April 1958 all independent states like Libya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia etc. were invited to meet Accra to pay down plans which could be used to help other countries get their independence.

• Kwame Nkrumah was a person who advocated for the united states of Africa and African unity. These ideas led to the formation of OAU which later became an organization which opposed colonialism in many countries.

• Sometimes Ghana gave moral and material support to other non-independent states Ghana gave money to Malawi (Nyasaland) and Belgium Congo to fight for independence.