How the 1966 coup disrupted Gamal Nkrumah’s life – Samia, Sekou recount

Samia and Sekou Nkrumah have opened up about the challenges their late brother, Gamal Nkrumah, faced following the 1966 coup that toppled their father, Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The siblings recounted how the overthrow of their father's government disrupted the family’s life, forcing them into exile and exposing Gamel to difficulties that continued even after his return to Ghana.

In a report by adomonline.com on November 6, 2026, Sekou explained that Gamal struggled to settle into the country after the family returned from exile in 1975.

“The return was facilitated by the government of then Head of State, General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, with Gamel among the children of the former president who came back to Ghana,” the report said.

Sekou said Gamel enrolled in a boarding school after their return but developed a serious illness about two months into his studies.

The health setback compelled the family to make changes to his education, with Gamel and his brother Samuel moved from Form Five to Form Four.

He subsequently attended A-Grid, where he was expected to pursue what Sekou referred to as “6-4”.

Profile of the late Gamal Nkrumah

However, he experienced additional health difficulties.

Sekou further recounted that Gamal later secured an opportunity to study and work at the Institute of Development Studies in Harare, Zimbabwe, through the intervention of Sally Mugabe.

The siblings shared the accounts during a visit by a delegation of the Convention People's Party (CPP), led by Comrade Chris Ziga, to the Nkrumah family to express condolences over Gamel’s death.

The delegation included members of the party’s Council of Elders and National Working Committee and was received by Samia and Sekou Nkrumah.

The family expressed appreciation to the governments of Ghana and Egypt for their assistance during Gamel’s hospitalisation and burial.

The CPP delegation also assured the family of the party’s support as preparations are made for Gamel’s final funeral rites in Ghana.

MRA/BAI

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