Frimpong Anokye, a renowned Ghanaian historian and lawyer, has provided insight into the strong relationship that existed between Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and military ruler Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.

Frimpong Anokye discloses that Acheampong had two best friends, one of whom was Kwame Nkrumah. Acheampong’s strong relationship with Kwame Nkrumah had its foundation in an intervention by Kwame Nkrumah that prevented Acheampong from being dismissed from the military training school.

Frimpong Anokye, also a lawyer, recounts that during his training school days, Acheampong missed their very last roll call, which meant that he would not pass out from the academy.

He adds that on the day of their passing out, Kwame Nkrumah, who was then Leader of Government Business, came to the event grounds early to interact with some members of the public before the commencement of the main event.

During his tour, Nkrumah crossed paths with Acheampong, who told him about his unfortunate and peculiar situation.

Kwame Nkrumah then made moves to ensure that Acheampong was allowed to pass out and become a soldier, having undergone training for over a year.

Owing to the fact that Acheampong was initially billed not to pass out, his name was not on the list, and even after the event, measures were not taken to have his name included.

“When Kwame Nkrumah became Leader of Government Business and had to attend a military passing out ceremony, he went to the event grounds quite early to interact with people.

“During his tour of the place, he saw a young man in a military uniform who had been separated from the gathering. That was Acheampong, and Nkrumah spoke to him and discovered his story. Nkrumah then went to the leader of the military, who was called Colonel Whistler. Nkrumah asked and was briefed that Acheampong was not present during their last roll call and, as the training demands, he was not going to pass out.

“Kwame Nkrumah then gave two reasons for the admission of Acheampong into the graduating class. The first reason was that a civilian who had undergone military training and become equipped with knowledge of military things could not just be released on such grounds. He felt such a person could become a danger to society.

“The second reason was that Nkrumah felt the army was dominated by white people and wanted to break that dominance, so he needed more Ghanaians in the army, and therefore Acheampong had to be there. The Colonel was hesitant, but Nkrumah called the army commander and asked that Acheampong be added to those passing out. He said that if they didn’t add Acheampong, no one was going to pass out.

“So when Acheampong passed out, his best friends became Kwame Nkrumah and Colonel Techie-Menson. Acheampong is the only army officer in history whose name cannot be found on the list of his passing out class. This is because his name was not on the official list, and also when he became leader of the country, he didn’t make moves to have it corrected,” he recounted.

EK