Kwame Nkrumah

Always be the servant of the people.

"Rules of Discipline," Rule #15, 1968

The three essential components of neo-colonialism are:1. Economic exploitation2. Puppet governments and client states3. Military assistance4. Economic "aid."

1968

The principle of mutual inter-imperialist assistance whereby American, British, French and West German monopoly capital extends joint control over the wealth of the non-liberated zones of Africa, Latin America and Asia, finds concrete expression in the formation of interlocked international financial institutions and bodies of credit.

1968

The guerrilla is the masses in arms.

1968

"I prefer freedom in danger than servitude in tranquility"

1968

We know that the traditional African society was founded on principles of egalitarianism. In its actual workings, however, it had various shortcomings. Its humanist impulse, nevertheless, is something that continues to urge us towards our all-African socialist reconstruction. We postulate each man to be an end in himself, not merely a means; and we accept the necessity of guaranteeing each man equal opportunities for his development. The implications of this for socio-political practice have to be worked out scientifically, and the necessary social and economic policies pursued with resolution. Any meaningful humanism must begin from egalitarianism and must lead to objectively chosen policies for safeguarding and sustaining egalitarianism. Hence, socialism. Hence, also, .

African Socialism Revisited, 1967., 1967

The neo-colonialism of today represents imperialism in its final and perhaps its most dangerous stage.

"Introduction," ix, 1965

The less developed world will not become developed through the goodwill or generosity of the developed powers. It can only become developed through a struggle against the external forces which have a vested interest in keeping it undeveloped.

"Introduction," xix-xx, 1965

The only effective way to challenge this economic empire and to recover possession of our heritage, is for us to act on a Pan-African basis, through a Union Government.

"Conclusion," 259, 1965

The result of neo-colonialism is that foreign capital is used for the exploitation rather than for the development of the less developed parts of the world. Investment under neo-colonialism increases rather than decreases the gap between the rich and the poor countries of the world.

"Introduction," x, 1965

The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent and has all the outward trappings of international sovereignty. In reality its economic system and thus its political policy is directed from outside.

"Introduction," ix, 1965

Capitalism is a development by refinement from feudalism just as feudalism is a development by refinement from slavery. … Capitalism is but the gentleman's method of slavery.

Consciencism: Philosophy and Ideology for Decolonisation, 1964, 1964

To the true African journalist, his newspaper is a collective organizer, a collective instrument of mobilization and a collective educator—a weapon, first and foremost, to overthrow colonialism and imperialism and to assist total African independence and unity.

At the Second Conference of African Journalists; Accra, November 11, 1963., 1963

Capitalism is too complicated a system for a newly independent nation. Hence the need for a socialistic society.

The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah (1957), p. x., 1957

The critical study of the philosophies of the past should lead to the study of modern theories. For these latter, born of the fire of contemporary struggles, are militant and alive.