Stories and facts

On August 1, 1962, Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, survived a dramatic assassination attempt in the small village of Kulungugu, located in the Upper East Region near Bawku. The incident marked a perilous moment in Ghana’s early post-independence history, underscoring the intense political tensions within the young nation.

Nkrumah was returning from a diplomatic meeting with President Maurice Yameogo of the Republic of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) in Tenkodugu, where the two leaders discussed plans to enhance regional cooperation, including the elimination of customs barriers.

During the journey back to Ghana, heavy rain and poor road conditions disrupted the formation of the presidential convoy. Despite not being scheduled to stop, the convoy halted at Kulungugu due to pressure from local party officials and the excitement of schoolchildren and townsfolk who had gathered to see their president.

As Nkrumah approached the crowd, a young schoolgirl carrying a bouquet of flowers stepped forward to welcome him. At that moment, an explosive device concealed within the bouquet detonated. Fortunately, Nkrumah’s military bodyguard, Captain Samuel Buckman, sensed danger upon hearing the ticking of a timing mechanism. Acting swiftly, he threw himself onto the president, pushing him to the ground just seconds before the bomb exploded.

Both Nkrumah and his aide sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but the blast tragically killed the girl and severely injured others nearby.
Following the attack, Nkrumah received immediate medical attention at Bawku Hospital from a British doctor who removed shrapnel from his back and side. He later recuperated for a week in Tamale, where he was visited by Brigadier Ankrah, a military figure who would play a crucial role in Ghana’s political future years later.

The attempted assassination deeply shocked the nation and had lasting political repercussions. Nkrumah accused some of his close political associates, including his Minister of Information, Broadcasting, and Presidential Affairs, Tawia Adamafio, of complicity in the plot. This resulted in high-profile trials under the Preventive Detention Act, imprisonment, and political turmoil.

Some historical accounts suggest the bombing was orchestrated by opposition United Party operatives from northern Ghana, allegedly trained outside the country, reflecting the intense rivalry and instability of Ghana’s political landscape at the time. Despite the attempt on his life, Nkrumah remained a determined leader, continuing his vision for Pan-African unity and national development.

Watch the video to learn more about the Kulungugu bombing of 1969

Today, a memorial statue in Kulungugu marks the site of the attack, serving as a reminder of the dangers faced by Ghana’s first president during its early years of independence.
This event remains a significant chapter in Ghana’s history, illustrating the challenges of leadership, the sacrifices made in pursuit of progress, and the lasting determination that guided the nation’s future.

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