Tightening the Gag in Ghana
MNKRUMAH'S decision to impose press censorship is even less justified than Mrs. Bandaranaike's. Mrs. B is a political innocent: her advisers can htt've had little difficulty in per- suading her that in the uneasy state of Ceylon, unrestricted criticism in the press might tip the scales towards anarchy. But Mr. Nkrumah has no such excuse. He has established himself as the undisputed authority in Ghana. The imposi- tion of censorship can only carry the implication that be is determined to perpetuate himself in that authority: that he relishes being a petty dictator and proposes to silence any criticiser of his administration.
It is arguable that in many African countries democracy Western style is an inappropriate form of government; not because the Africans are unfitted for it by any racial or environmental incapacity, but simply because the transition to it from their old tribal ways may have to be gradual. Inevitably, leaders will be thrown up in some African States who will have the oppor- tunity to exercise autocratic power. The test is how they exercise it—in their people's interest, or for their own aggrandisement. The evidence from Ghana suggests that Mr. Nkrumah is grow- ing progressively more obsessed with his own importance—not surprisingly, when he has so many sycophants among his advisers : and the outlook for Ghana's political future is depressing.
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