The Convention People’s Party (CPP ) United Kingdom & Ireland, joined thousands of students at the School of Oriental and African Studies(SOAS), University of London, to mark the 50th Anniversary of Ghana’s independence.

CPPYouth were there in their numbers, joining students of every nationality – Black, White, Asian, Arab etc at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London. The event organized by the SOAS Africa Society, Friends of Africa Society, African –Caribbean Society, the SOAS Students Union and the Kwame Nkrumah Students Society was highly significant not just because so many had gathered to mark the historic occasion but because of the words of the Key Note Speaker – Selma James, wife of CLR James, a close friend and associate of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Selma James told her audience that the CPP and Nkrumah’s achievement at the time was not just an occasion for Ghana or indeed Africa but that progressive and other political movements everywhere felt that “ it signified the liberation of the human race” She said the present generation should realize the enormity of that achievement .

She went on to say that one of the reasons Africa did not unite despite the overwhelming economic necessity for unity, and despite the dedication and hard work of Kwame Nkrumah to bring it about, was that within each country that gained independence after Ghana were an assembled group of Ministers and other governing officials whose self-interest became the overriding thing and prevented the drive for African Unity.

Selma James said Dr Nkrumah compromised with the British authorities to gain independence because he wanted to avoid bloodshed .

She praised African Women for being the hardest working women anywhere on planet earth during the liberation struggles and in their countries since. The night was a truly magnificent and historic night as young and old from every conceivable corner of the globe came together to share in the achievement of the CPP 50 years.

A Happy 50th Anniversary to All Ghanaians

Long Live Ghana

Forward Ever! Backward Never

R.N.A Akomfrah

Chairman for Convention People’s Party (CPP UK & Ireland) Secretariat

cppuk@hotmail.com cppyouth@gmail.com