Samia Nkrumah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samia Nkrumah
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Nkrumah in 2009
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| Chairperson of the Convention People's Party | |
| In office September 2011 – September 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Ladi Nylander |
| Succeeded by | Edmund N. Delle |
| Member of Parliament for Jomoro constituency |
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| In office 7 January 2009 – 6 January 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Lee Ocran |
| Succeeded by | Francis Kabenlah Anaman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah
23 June 1960 Aburi, Ghana |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Michele Melega |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents | Kwame Nkrumah (father) Fathia Nkrumah (mother) |
| Relatives | Gamal Nkrumah (brother) |
| Alma mater | School of Oriental and African Studies |
| Website | Party website |
Honourable Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah (born June 23, 1960) is a Ghanaian politician. She was the first woman to lead a major political party in Ghana. This party was the Convention People's Party (CPP).
In the 2008 election, she won a seat in the Jomoro area. She is the daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was Ghana's first President.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Samia Nkrumah was born in Aburi, Ghana, in 1960. When she was young, her family had to leave Ghana. This happened during a military coup in 1966. Her father, Kwame Nkrumah, was overthrown.
Her family moved to Egypt. Later, in 1975, they returned to Ghana. Samia went to Achimota School in Ghana. She later moved to London and studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies. She earned a degree in Arabic Studies in 1991. She also completed a Master's degree there in 1993.
Career and Work
Samia Nkrumah started her career in banking. In 1984, she worked as a bank clerk in London. After that, she became a journalist. She worked for Al-Ahram starting in 1989.
In 2024, she began working on a coconut factory project. This factory is in the Jomoro area. The goal is to make Jomoro a global center for processing coconuts. This project aims to help the people living there.
Getting Involved in Politics
Samia Nkrumah is a founder of Africa Must Unite. This group works to share Kwame Nkrumah's ideas. She decided to become active in Ghanaian politics because of these ideas.
In 2023, she planned to run for the Jomoro seat again. She intended to run as an independent candidate. This means she would not be part of a specific political party.
Serving as a Member of Parliament
In December 2008, Samia Nkrumah ran for the Jomoro constituency seat. She won against the person who held the seat before. This person was Lee Ocran. She won with a majority of 6,571 votes.
She was the only CPP member in parliament at that time. She chose to work with the NPP. This party was the minority in the 5th Parliament. She represented the Jomoro area from 2009 to 2013.
Leading the Convention People's Party
Samia Nkrumah made history in Ghana. She became the first woman to lead a major political party. This was the Convention People's Party (CPP). Her win was seen as a new beginning for the party. It also showed the party's support for women's rights.
She was elected chairperson on September 10, 2011. She won with 1,191 votes. The person who was chairperson before her received 353 votes. She held this important role until 2015.
Personal Life and Family
Samia is the second child of Kwame Nkrumah and Fathia Nkrumah. Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana's first Prime Minister and President. He led Ghana to become independent from Britain in 1957.
Kwame Nkrumah was a strong supporter of pan-Africanism. This idea promotes unity among African people. He helped start the Organisation of African Unity.
Samia has two brothers, Gamal Nkrumah and Sekou Nkrumah. She also has an older half-brother, Professor Francis Nkrumah. He is a retired doctor and lecturer.
After her father was overthrown in 1966, Samia, her mother, and brothers had to leave Ghana. They went to Cairo, Egypt. This was arranged by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Her father went to live in Guinea.
Samia is married to Michele Melega. He is Italian-Danish. They have a son named Kwame Thomas Melega. Samia can speak several languages. These include Arabic, Italian, Danish, and English. She has worked as a journalist and media consultant for many years. She also supports women's empowerment and speaks out against child marriage.
Images for kids
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Nkrumah, his family and Nasser, 1965 (The little girl - Samia Nkrumah)
