October 2, 1962: Ghana’s President Kwame Nkrumah declines the offer of life Presidency contained in a motion passed recently by Parliament. The motion was a mark of confidence for w h i c h he thanked the House, he told Parliament. But he would rather that, in accordance with Ghana’s constitution, people should be given a chance every five years to demonstrate this confidence in him, by returning his party to power in the elections. Dr. Nkrumah explained: “We have adopted a people’s democracy wherein the sovereign will of the people is exercised through Parliament, a president and a party. “We are guided by a unique republican constitution which states quite clearly that elections for the office of President shall be held once every five years. “It is essential that the people shall freely exercise their sacred right and duty of self-expression through voting, that once every five years they shall have the opportunity to renew their faith and confidence in the party and its leaders. “Therefore,” he added, “while I thank the House for the faith and Solidarity expressed in the motion to confer a life Presidency on me, I submit most humbly that the most concIusive way to demonstrate this singular support and confidence is by securing the return of me and my party. On the right is his Nkrumah’s Egyptian born wife Fathia in January 1966

Photo|Nation Syndication