President John Mahama says that declassified US documents confirm the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) played a key role in the overthrow of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking in Accra during Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebrations, he described the February 24, 1966, coup that toppled Nkrumah as “the most regrettable and darkest moment in our nation’s history”.
President Mahama noted that the US-backed coup plunged Ghana into decades of political instability, setting back the nation’s progress towards industrialisation and self-reliance.
“Declassified documents from the United States archives reveal that this was a coup inspired and engineered by the CIA. It shattered Nkrumah’s vision of an industrialised and self-reliant Ghana and significantly delayed our attainment of the objectives of nationhood.”
Lessons for Ghana’s Future
President Mahama used the occasion to reflect on Ghana’s political journey, stressing 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 called on Ghanaians to assess the country’s current standing in areas such as governance, economic development, natural resource management, and national security. He also underscored the need to balance sustainability with economic growth in the face of climate change.
Watch full address here:
