January 21, 1950: Kwame Nkrumah arrested as CPP banned by colonial government

After “Positive Action” was launched by Kwame Nkrumah, a state of emergency was declared by the colonial government on 11 January 1950. All meetings were banned, CPP organs were suspended or closed and leaders were arrested. Nkrumah was arrested on 21 January 1950, convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. On appeal, the High Court reaffirmed the judgments of the magistrate’s court. While Nkrumah and other leaders were in prison, the CPP continued to function, benefitting from the momentum which the demand for “self-government now" had generated among the people. The party emerged victorious in both the municipal and general elections of February 1951.