On February 24, 1966, Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, was overthrown in a military coup while he was abroad. The National Liberation Council led the coup, declaring the end of Nkrumah’s presidency and the dissolution of Parliament. Public discontent with his policies had grown, culminating in widespread strikes. Following the coup, Nkrumah found refuge in Guinea before his death in 1972, signaling a significant shift in Ghana’s political history.
On February 24, 1966, Ghana witnessed its first coup d’état, resulting in the overthrow of its inaugural president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was in Vietnam for diplomatic reasons at the time. A temporary three-member presidential commission was responsible for governance during his absence. The coup, executed by the National Liberation Council (NLC) under the operation titled “Operation Cold Chop,” severely disrupted the nation, with Lt-Gen Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka as a prominent leader.
Kotoka announced the coup over Radio Ghana, declaring the military’s takeover and the dissolution of Parliament, stating: “The myth surrounding Nkrumah has been broken. Parliament has been dissolved and Kwame Nkrumah has been dismissed from office” – Source. This significant coup emerged in the context of Nkrumah’s declining popularity due to various unpopular economic policies instituted in mid-1961, including wage freezes and tax hikes, which contributed to public discontent.
Protests erupted among workers and civil servants, prompting a week-long strike in major cities against the government’s compulsory savings scheme, reflecting a wider dissatisfaction. Nkrumah had survived several assassination attempts during his rule, notably avoiding a bomb planted for a ceremony in 1962, which increased tensions around his leadership. The combination of these factors ultimately contributed to the public response that favored the military coup.
The coup’s aftermath saw widespread jubilation among the populace, marking a notable shift in public sentiment against Nkrumah. He later claimed that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency played a role in his government’s downfall, as documented in his book, “Dark Days in Ghana.” After his overthrow, Nkrumah sought refuge in Guinea, where he was honored by being made honorary co-president.
The coup was characterized by a relatively swift transition of power, with the majority of his supporters abandoning him. The CPP, having a large membership, offered little to no resistance and was disbanded through a mere announcement. Nkrumah lived in exile until his death from cancer in 1972, signifying a tragic end to a leadership era that had begun with high hopes for African leadership and unity.
The coup d’état on February 24, 1966, fundamentally changed Ghana’s political landscape, resulting in the ousting of Kwame Nkrumah. Despite his initial popularity as a proponent of African unity, economic mismanagement and alleged authoritarian practices led to his decline. The coup was marked by public support for the military rulers and underscored a growing trend of military interventions in African politics, a legacy that would shape the continent in the years ahead.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
