New Directions

Volume 2 | Issue 3 Article 9

7-1-1975 Book Review: Black Star: A View of the Life and Times of Kwame Nkrumah K. Pobbi-Asamani

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Recommended Citation Pobbi-Asamani, K. (1975) "Book Review: Black Star: A View of the Life and Times of Kwame Nkrumah," New Directions: Vol. 2: Iss. 3, Article 9. Available at: http://dh.howard.edu/newdirections/vol2/iss3/9

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and even internal security (Nkrumah, on Africa in general and in promoting 26 Black Star: A View of Neo-Colonialism London: 1965 pxiii). better understanding of Nkrumah's views on political ideology, economic the Life and Times of Davidson's book points out that organization and international Nkrumah's thoughts on non-alignment Kwame Nkrumah cooperation. 0 By Basil Davidson were based on co-operation with all F. Praeger Publishers, New York states, whether they be capitalist, K. Pobbi-Asamani, Ph.D., is affiliated with the 225 pp., $7.95 socialist, or have mixed economy. Department of Political Science, University Because such a policy allowed for the of Arkansas. Reviewed by K.Pobbi-Asamani coexistence of diverse ideologies in Among the various literature on the private and public sectors of the late Kwame Nkrumah, Basil Davidson's economy, it also involved foreign book reflects the most valuable investment from capitalist countries in contribution to Nkrumah's philosophy accordance with a national plan drawn of life, leadership, and understanding Faculty Tenure up by the host govemment. A Report and Recommendations by the Commission of the real political world. This book on Academic Tenure in Higher Education. depicts Nkrumah's personality as an Nkrumah's political ideology contained 276 pp., $8.75 ordinary person-not necessarily as three important elements: 1) European former Prime Minister or President states divided Africa in their own Reviewed by Charles E. Donegan interests, and continued the process of the Republic of Ghana. Few issues in higher education bum after independence, 2) this left many with a greater intensity than does that It did not take very long after inde- African states with the appearance of of tenure with its virtual guarantee of pendence for Nkrumah to realize that independence, made them vulnerable life time contracts. The concept of foreign policy may also be used to to neo-colonial manipulation and tenure is under strong attack, many of promote the goals and objectives of the control, 3) it is not necessary to accept its critics argue that it should be com- independence struggle. Unfortunately, this state of dependence. He saw neo- pletely abolished. the division of independent Africa into colonialism as imperialism at its most rival blocks had been affected by the dangerous stage and thus a policy of In 1971, the Association of American conditions of the cold-war which non-alignment as the only solution for Colleges (AAe) and the American highlighted a demand for the objective Africans to control their own develop- Association of University Professors and rationality for the achievement of ment and break away from the vicious (AAUP), created the Commission on African unity. To some extent the circle of neo-colonialism. Nkrumah Academic Tenure as a separate, au- realities of independence provided a further states "neo-colonialism is also tonomous unit. The Commission was fertile ground for this ideological the worst imperialism .... For those financed by a grant from the Ford dispute. Independence also articulated who practice it, it means power without Foundation. The Commission'S task the balkanization of Africa by Europeans responsibility and for those who suffer was to design and carry out its inde- and subsequently led to economic from it, it means exploitation without pendent program of investigation and dependence. redress." He postulated that to break report directly to the academic com- this vicious circle ... the solution is munity and the general public. Faculty Historically, the early days of the African unity. Tenure presents the views solely of European common market and the Some scholars of African political the Commission and not those of the Treaty of Rome made former French development may be tempted to char- AACorAAUP. overseas territories associate members acterize Nkrumah's thoughts and of the European Economic Community. The mandate of the Commission was writings as fashioned after Marxist- Nkrumah raised his concern against to consider how the tenure system Leninist interpretation of history and this emerging phenomenon of colo- operates in higher education, to evaluate society. The fact is, he perceived him- nialism, because he believed it was recent criticisms of academic tenure, self as an ideological leader of Africans based on the principle of breaking up consider alternatives to tenure pres- in order to gain the posi tion of a former large united colonial territories ently in effect or proposed for adoption populist political hero among African into a number of small states-non- and to recommend changes or improve- political leaders. viable states incapable of independent ments in the system if it should be development and ones that must rely Davidson's book, therefore, is a valuable retained. The Commission completed on the former imperial power for defense Published by Digital Howard @ Howard University, contribution to the political literature its work in June 1972. 1