Chief Executive of CenCES and lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Dr. James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr., has clarified that Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, did not impose a one-party state on Ghanaians, contrary to popular belief.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews' AM Show on Monday, September 22, Dr. Bomfeh explained that Nkrumah’s one-party vision was modelled along the lines of traditional chieftaincy governance systems such as those at Manhyia and Yagbon, which allow for differences of opinion without political party structures.

“People must understand that Kwame Nkrumah was himself a chief of Tarkwa Nsuaem. His vision of a one-party state was not about monopoly but about consensus-building, similar to how our traditional chieftaincy systems operate...What people must understand is that a one-party state was not something Kwame Nkrumah forced on Ghanaians,” he said.

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He further emphasised that Nkrumah’s approach was rooted in due process and legality.

Citing historical records, he noted that Ghana only became a one-party state in 1965 following a national referendum in 1964, in which Ghanaians voted in favour of the system.

“Nothing he did was without law. Everything he did, he made sure to follow due process. There was a referendum in 1964 where Ghanaians voted for the one-party state,” he stressed.

Dr. Bomfeh dismissed claims that Nkrumah opposed traditional rulers, pointing to the former president’s respect for and connection to chieftaincy institutions.

He also drew a link between Nkrumah and Professor K.A. Busia, highlighting personal anecdotes to illustrate Nkrumah’s ties with Ghanaian traditions and leadership structures.