Nkrumah Attacks Colonialism

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29099, 11 January 1960, Page 9

Nkrumah Attacks Colonialism

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) ACCRA, January 9. The Prime Minister of Ghana (Dr. Kwame Nkrumah) declared tonight that Ghana’s transformation into a Republic later this year would “in no way affect Ghana’s active participation in affairs of the Commonwealth, nor affect the warmth of our affection for the Queen.”

Speaking at a State banquet which was also addressed by the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan), Dr. Nkrumah said. “Just as we, a young nation, are proud and jealous of our independence, so do we believe that the Commonwealth will gain its greatest strength and influence from an association of nations, each and everyone of which is fully sovereign and independent, and totally free from any external direction.” Dr. Nkrumah referred to the fact that this was the first occasion on which a British Prime Minister had visited an African Member State of the Commonwealth “Yoiir visit thus dramatically reflects the growth and constant change of that remarkable institution, composed as it is of oio countries and new countries, but all of them dedicated to the same principles of human dignity ana political freedom," he said “To us the Commonwealth is a modern, flexible and adaptable institution, composed of sovereign free and completely independent nations, none owing any special allegiance to the other, but all co-operating as equals in the eternal pursuit of peace and the abolition of Ignorance and disease from the entire world. Earlier, Dr. Nkrumah said the Ghana Government had two major preoccupations. The first was to develop the country as fast as resources would enable, and to raise the standard of living of the people. “Our major preoccupation, which has already been given prominence in our foreign P°hcy is to accelerate the process of the liberation of the AfrK ? n c °2* tinent and her people, which was set in motion by Ghana s accession to independence. “Because of the political situation in Africa today, and the move for independence by colonial territories, it has be come necessary for Ghana to

make her stand quite clear to the world—namely, that we believe that colonialism is an anachronism and should cease,” Dr. Nkrumah said.

“I am glad to observe tnat the United Kingdom has been among the first to show favourable reactions to the call for independence.’’ African Conference Yesterday Dr. Nkrumah announced formally that he was going to call a conference of political parties in Africa, aimed at preventing “the intended Balkanisation of Africa by colonial Powers” and to help the creation of a United States of Africa. Dr. Nkrumah said imperialism and colonialism died hard and what they failed to achieve in one field they tried in another. “We must therefore be on our constant and vigilant guard against any form of subtle domination, by whomsoever and from wheresoever,” he said. Talking of party policy, he said he must emphasise that his party's foreign policy, continued to be based on positive neutralism and non-alignment. “Positive neutralism and nonalignment does not mean keeping aloof from burning international issues. On the contrary, it means a positive stand based on our own convictions, completely uninfluenced by any of the power blocs.” Dr. Nkrumah said the colonial powers and their imperialist allies were beginning to “advance a new, subtle theory—and a disguised one at that—to safeguard their position in Africa and beguile and bamboozle Africans. “They are prepared to grant political independence, but at the same time they are also planning to continue to dominate African territories in the economic field by establishing control over the economic life of newly-independent African countries.” a