President John Mahama
President Mahama says declassified US documents have confirmed the CIA’s involvement in the overthrow of Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah.
President John Mahama has stated that declassified US documents have confirmed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) played a pivotal role in the overthrow of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking in Accra during Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebrations, Mahama, widely quoted in Ghanaian media, described the February 24, 1966, coup that toppled Nkrumah as “the most regrettable and darkest moment in our nation’s history”.
He highlighted that the US-backed coup set Ghana back politically and economically, impeding the country’s journey towards industrialisation and self-reliance.
“Declassified documents from the United States archives reveal that this was a coup inspired and engineered by the CIA,” Mahama said. “It shattered Nkrumah’s vision of an industrialised and self-reliant Ghana and significantly delayed our attainment of the objectives of nationhood.”
In his speech, Mahama reflected on Ghana’s political journey, emphasising the importance of democratic accountability and the protection of national sovereignty.
“We must remind ourselves that democracy is not just about voting—it is about accountability, safeguarding freedoms, and ensuring socioeconomic prosperity,” he said.
He also urged Ghanaians to assess the country’s current standing in governance, economic development, natural resource management, and national security, stressing the need to balance sustainability with economic growth amidst climate change challenges. (AriseNews TV)
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.