DEVELOPING CHARISMA: NKRUMAH AS A “CARGO ” BENE- FACTOR IN GHANA

ABSTRACT Some scholars view that Kwame Nkrumah’s strength in the general elections of the 1950’s simply resulted from the CPP’s promise of economic benefits. But Nkrumah’s appeal and influence might be more understood in his charisma akin to that of the prophets of the African Independent Churches. Nkrumah frequently used Christian symbolism, and prophet-like authority, to offer psychological ‘healing ’ and economic security in a situation of social anomie of rapid transition. Nkrumah can be compared to ‘cargo ’ benefactor in this context. His offer of economic benefits helped establish Nkrumah as a charismatic ‘prophet’ of ‘Nkrumah Cult ’ in Ghana