46 SC6
weekly review
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOP
Asia-Africa
NEW REGIME MAKING IMPORTANT CHANGES IN GHANA
pro-Western army andofficers who toppled Kwame Nkruroah's^radical regime last week have consolidated theirof Ghana and aresome basic policy changes* The effect will be to reverse Ghana's progressive estrangement from the West and to transform ltoderate African state.
Most of the widespreadexpressions of support for the army take-over appear genuine -Although Nkrumah's popularity was massive when ho led Ghana tonine years ago, inyears major segments of the country's society had become alienated by his oppressive ruleightening economic squeeze.
Ghanaian affairs are now in the handsationalCouncil (NLC) of eight army and police officers. It is headed by popular General Ankrah. fired by Nkrumah last summer, and includes police chief Harlley as well as Colonel Kotoka--nowgeneral--who lined up the military support essential to the coup. Civil servants, who in general adapted quickly to the
new situation, have been given wider latitude in running the government.
Detailed policy formulation apparently will be thoof several new committees staffed by senior civilianmost of whom areand Western oriented. This is particularly true of thecharged by the NIX with the priority task of steering Ghana's currently severely straincd--butound course again. Thewhich is reported already developing new austerity programs, has made preliminary approaches for major Western assistance- arch Ankrah indicated thatfree enterprise would be given wider scope in Ghana.
The new leaders havea new constitution, eturn tocivilian government- arch Ankrahindicated privately that the NLC would be in no hurry to turn power back to the politicians, in eluding any of the anti-Nkrumah exiles who now may try to resume
TOP SECRET TRINE
Page 13 WEEKLYMar 66
an active role in Ghana. For the present. all ca1 part ios and political activity are banned*
Onebruary, as Nkrumah was flyingeking to Moscowpecial Soviet aircraft, the NLC told the Soviet .iinbussa-dor that the several hundred technicians in Ghana wore to leave promptly alone with speciilcd intelligence olticers at the embassy- Subsequently the approxima Leiyechn ictans from Communist China andsmall East German trade mission were also ordered out. Two of Ghana Airways1 IL-ISs began evacuating Soviet n I March, and theexodus ha* also started (see also preceding- Reported pressure from NLC members omplete break with Moscow and Peking apparently has been overruled by concern for the credibility of the now'& professions of nona1ign-nent. Ankrah has even indicated that some Soviet technicians would 'eventually" be allowed to return to complete certain.
Although Nkrumah's prospectsomeback now appear very dim, he evidently has notmuch hopes. BeforePeking onebruary hehis Intention to fight back and took steps to rallyamong Ghanaian* and other Africans. However, this netted him little more than expressions of solidarity from other radical African leaders, notablyTour* of Guinea. Nkrumah arrived in the Gutnean capitalarch still claiming to be
"on my way back." Toure's weloom ing gesture designating Nkrumah the new "President ol Guinea" proone indications of thegyration* Ton re Ihon Nkrumah's behalf.
Moderate African states have now begun to extend recognition to the now regine. This ha it been facilitated by tho seating of the NLC's delegation at the current Organization of Air lean Unity Meeting in Addis Ababaeated wrangle provoked byradical allies- The NLC's measures to liquidate Nkrunah's African subversion program--the secret Chinese-supported guerrill training camp wan closed the day of theto mend Ghana's long-troubled relationsig aodora te states shoul further strengthen the newAfrican position.
Soviet reaction to Nkrumah's ouster hus been cautious and noncommittal. Tho expulsion of the technicians can be expected toegative response, but this will probablyesire to maintain some presence in Ghana- Soviet press reaction hns implied West-tern intelligence involvement, but the new regime has not been attacked directly. Remarks madearch by two officers of the Soviet Embassy in Accrathat, for tho present,policy toward Ghana will be based on acceptance of the coup as an accomplished fact andestre to minimize Soviet loss<
t trine
14 WEEKLY REVIEW
Mar 66
Original document.
Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: