Born to a goldsmith and a retail trader in 1909, Kwame Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana.
As a Nationalist, Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana’s drive for independence from Britain and was Ghana’s first President in 1957 until he was overthrown by a coup in 1966.
These 10 quotes by Kwame Nkrumah will enable you to understand his quest to see the liberation, unification and development of Africa.
1. Action without thought is empty. Thought without action is blind.
2. It is clear that we must find an African solution to our problems, and that this can only be found in African unity. Divided we are weak; united, Africa could become one of the greatest forces for good in the world.
3. Those who would judge us merely by the heights we have achieved would do well to remember the depths from which we started.
4. As far as i am concerned, i am in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which i have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after i am dead and gone, the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft, giving light and guidance to all people
5. I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me.
6. The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart.
7. Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. Thy claim it as their own and none can keep it from them
8. I believe strongly and sincerely that with the deep-rooted wisdom and dignity, the innate respect for human lives, the intense humanity that is our heritage, the African race, united under one federal government, will emerge not as just another world bloc to flaunt its wealth and strength, but as a Great Power whose greatness is indestructible because it is built not on fear, envy and suspicion, nor won at the expense of others, but founded on hope, trust, friendship and directed to the good of all mankind
9. Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge – a challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve – to achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life?
10. We all want a United Africa, United not only in our concept of what unity connotes, but united in our common desire to move forward together in dealing with all the problems that can best be solved only on a continental basis.