Historical Figure
Kwame Nkrumah
1909–1972
Ghanaian politician (1909–1972)
Talk to Kwame Nkrumah
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Key Dates
Death
1972 April 27, 1972 →Biography
Francis Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian politician, political theorist, and revolutionary. He served as Prime Minister of the Gold Coast from 1952 until 1957, when it gained independence from Britain. He was then the first prime minister and then the president of Ghana, from 1957 until 1966. An influential advocate of Pan-Africanism, Nkrumah was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and winner of the Lenin Peace Prize from the Soviet Union in 1962.
Timeline
Ghana becomes a Republic and Kwame Nkrumah becomes its first President as Queen Elizabeth II ceases to be its Head of state.
July 1 →Ghanaian coup d'état by National Liberation Council overthrows Kwame Nkrumah's Government
February 24 →More from the Late 20th Century
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Kwame Nkrumah's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.