National Liberation Movement (Ghana)

The National Liberation Movement (NLM) was a political party active in Ghana (then the Gold Coast) from 1954 to 1957. It emerged as a significant opposition force against Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party (CPP), advocating for a federal system of government and greater regional autonomy, particularly for the Ashanti region.

The NLM was formed primarily by cocoa farmers and influential chiefs in the Ashanti region, who felt marginalized by the CPP's centralized policies and marketing arrangements for cocoa, the Gold Coast's main export. They believed that the CPP's control over cocoa revenue was unfair and that the Ashanti region, a major cocoa-producing area, was not receiving its fair share of the economic benefits.

The party's platform centered on federalism, arguing that it would ensure more equitable distribution of resources and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single leader or party. They criticized Nkrumah's increasingly centralized governance model, viewing it as potentially dictatorial and detrimental to regional interests. The NLM adopted the slogan "Mate Me Ho," which translates to "I have delivered myself," symbolizing their desire for self-determination and independence from central control.

The NLM's activities were often marked by political violence and unrest, particularly in the Ashanti region. Clashes between NLM and CPP supporters were common, leading to instability and security concerns. The political climate was highly polarized, with both parties vying for dominance in the lead-up to independence.

In 1957, with Ghana's independence on the horizon, the NLM merged with other opposition parties to form the United Party (UP), in an attempt to present a unified challenge to the CPP in the upcoming elections. However, the UP failed to unseat the CPP, and Nkrumah led Ghana to independence. The NLM's legacy remains significant as a key opposition force during a pivotal period in Ghana's history, highlighting regional tensions and differing visions for the newly independent nation's governance.