1909-1972. Ghanaian nationalist politician,
prime minister of the Gold Coast (Ghana's
former name) 1952-57 and of newly independent
Ghana 1957-60, and Ghana's first president
1960-66. His policy of `African socialism'
led to links with the communist bloc.
Originally a teacher, he studied later in
both Britain and the USA, and on returning to
Africa formed the Convention People's Party
(CPP) 1949 with the aim of immediate
self-government. He was imprisoned in 1950
for incitement of illegal strikes, but was
released the same year. As president he
established an authoritarian regime and made
Ghana a one-party (CPP) state 1964. He then
dropped his stance of nonalignment and drew
closer to the USSR and other communist
countries. Deposed from the presidency while
on a visit to Beijing (Peking) 1966, he
remained in exile in Guinea, where he was
made a co-head of state, until his death, but
was posthumously `rehabilitated' 1973.