Today in History: The day Kwame Nkrumah was arrested

Ghana’s first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah was arrested 76 years ago on January 21, 1950.

He was arrested following the launch of his ‘Positive Action’ campaign against British colonial rule in Gold Coast (Ghana).

His arrest occurred during a state of emergency declared by the colonial government, which led to the banning of meetings and the suspension of his political party, the Convention People's Party (CPP).

The ‘Positive Action’ was a non-violent protest, strikes, and boycotts against the harsh colonial government.

He was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison on February 22, 1950.

However, he was released from prison in 1951, followed the victory of his party, CPP in the 1951 elections.

Watch how Kwame Nkrumah was welcomed from prison in 1951

A video emerged of Dr Kwame Nkrumah receiving a rousing hero’s welcome after he was released from prison on February 12, 1951 following a win for his party, the Convention People's Party (CPP) in the general elections.

The short footage which was sighted by GhanaWeb shows an excited crowd made up of women, men and children captured in joyous scenes on the release of their hero.

Known for being a people’s person, Dr Nkrumah, in the footage, was seen in an ‘open-top’ vehicle, shaking the hands of his Ghanaian people who had honored him with a hero’s welcome.

As leader of the newly formed government, Dr Nkrumah prioritised unifying the four territories of the Gold Coast, as Ghana was previously known.

He led the decolonisation process until Ghana achieved independence in 1957. Under his leadership, Ghana prospered and he was responsible for the building of new schools, railways, hospitals, a system for social security and an advanced economy.

The footage was posted via Twitter by @GhanaianMuseum on February 12 with the caption; “Footage of Kwame Nkrumah released from prison today on Feb 12, 1951 after his party, the CPP won the 1951 elections. He was arrested for leading a disturbing ‘positive action’ campaign in the Gold Coast against British rule in 1950.”

PS: This video has no sound

Footage of Kwame Nkrumah released from prison today on Feb 12, 1951 after his party, the CPP won the 1951 elections. He was arrested for leading a disturbing ‘positive action’ campaign in the Gold Coast against British rule in 1950. pic.twitter.com/zl9QvLyD2l

— GHANA FACTS & HISTORY (@GhanaianMuseum) February 12, 2020