CIA-sponsored 1966 overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah has delayed Ghana’s progress — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has reflected on the negative impact of the overthrow of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, describing it as a major setback to the country’s progress.

On February 24, 1966, the government of Dr Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in a military coup d’état led by Colonel E.K. Kotoka, Major A.A. Afrifa, Lieutenant General (retired) J.A. Ankrah, and Inspector General of Police J.W.K. Harlley.

Though not officially verified after many years, President Mahama revisited the claim that the coup, which occurred while Dr Nkrumah was on a working visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, was sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States.

Dr Nkrumah, according to the President, had envisioned an industrialised, self-reliant Ghana whose citizens would enjoy a high standard of living and a strong sense of self-esteem rooted in patriotism and Pan-African unity.

“But on February 24, 1966, a joint military and police coup shattered that dream, plunging Ghana into decades of instability and military takeovers,” he said. “The verdict of history is now loud and clear.”

“Declassified documents from the United States archives revealed that this was a coup inspired and engineered by the CIA. This remains the most regrettable and darkest moment in our nation’s history,” the President stated.

That moment, Mr. Mahama said, triggered a series of events that have significantly delayed Ghana’s progress and hindered the country’s attainment of its leadership objectives.