Abstract: | Unravels the events which led in 1966 in Ghana to a situation where it was possible for the military to take over with minimum resistance. Describes how through 'archaic parties' - followers grouped around influential notables - political agitation in the Gold Coast started. Sketches against what background the UGCC emerged with Nkrumah as the General Secretary. Analyses the policy of containment of colonialism that yielded independence in 1957. Describes how between 1957 and 1959 Ghana moved from a model colony to a model African country. Explains how and why after 1959 events were to change so that by the time Ghana became a de jure one-party state in 1964 it had become a de facto no-party state. Considers the wider social background and the nature of the opposition which Nkrumah faced. Draws attention to the economic factors in this development; a situation arose where all the elite blocks-army, bureaucracy, intelligentsia, entrepreneurs - and a large section of the political elite shared values, norms and visions not only different but opposed to those shared by Party Leader Nkrumah and a few lieutenants. Ref. |