6 OCI
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SUMMARY
APPPOVI0 FOP FE1EASE
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTEJi-LIGCNCE
SECRET
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ARMY OVERTHROWS NKRUMAH REGIME IN GHANA
Army and policelong opposed to President Nkrumah took advantage of his absencerip to Asiancapitals to end his radical regime onebruary. Hiswas announced by Colonel Kotoka, commander of one of the army's two brigades. Ghana's only political party has been disbanded, and other oftices and
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SUMMARY
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abolished, including the cabinet and parliament.
Most of thein the capital area-appear to be supporting the coup, including Colonel Ocran, of the other brigade. The top army officer, Chief of Defense Staff Aferi, is in Addis Ababa on OA I' matters. Nothing has been heard from chief of staff Barwah. The air force and navy commanders were arrested at once, probably for vacillating, and General Hassan, the militarychief believed loyal to Nkrumah, has also been ^_
The initial outlines of the new regime are beginning lo take
shape. The coup leaders have recalled General Ankrah--dls-missed as deputy defense staff Chief by Nkrumah for suspected disloyalty laslhave named him commander of the armed forces. They seemore moderatewhich will at least beless hostile to the West than Nkrunah's,
Nkrumah apparently was still unaware of the coup when he in Pekinglight from Rangoon. He is unlikely to try-to return to Ghana immediatelyid to reverse the coup, but
secret-
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