§ 1. President Nkrumah welcomed the visit of Mr. Sandys, British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, which afforded an opportunity to clarify various points on which it appeared that misunderstandings were arising.
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Ghana's Non-Alignment
2. President Nkrumah re-emphasised that the main objective of Ghana's foreign policy was the independence and unity of Africa. and the speedy ending of the remaining colonial r6gimes. Ghana wished to keep the cold war out of the African continent. Her policy had always been, and continued to be, based on the principle of non-alignment, neither leaning towards the East nor towards the West.
3. Mr. Sandys said that he was glad to receive this assurance and wished President Nkrumah to know that the British Government fully understood and respected Ghana's desire to remain un-aligned, in the same way as a number of other Commonwealth countries
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British Colonial Policy
4. President Nkrumah assured Mr. Sandys that he appreciated the fact that, since the Second World War, Britain had given independence to nearly six hundred million people and had thereby set an example in the peaceful transfer of power, which had been followed to some extent by other colonial Powers. The President welcomed Britain's decision to give independence to Tanganyika before the end of the year
5. Mr. Sandys assured the President that it is the determined policy of the British Government to grant independence to its remaining dependent territories in Africa as soon as practicable and in the meantime to take all necessary steps to prepare the peoples of these territories for the responsibilities of nationhood. 3n this connection Mr. Sandys stressed that it was not the practice of the British Government to attach "strings" to the economic and technical aid which they provide, and that accusations against Britain of "neo-colonialism" were therefore not justified.
6. President Nkrumah welcomed this statement and expressed the hope that the British
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Government would exert their influence with other colonial Powers in Africa to follow the same policy. He assured Mr. Sandys that he does not doubt the sincerity of the British Government's approach to the colonial problem. At the same time the President re-emphasised the view that an early target date should be fixed for the achievement of independence by all remaining colonies in Africa.
7. Mr. Sandys explained that, having regard to the importance of transferring power in an orderly manner and of the special problems existing in some cases, the British Government see difficulty in fixing a target date applicable to all territories. But, as an earnest of their intentions, they have announced their readiness to provide the United Nations with the fullest information about the steps they are taking to bring their remaining colonies to independence.
8. While regretting the inability of the British Government to fix a target date, President Nkrumah recognises the sincere determination of the British Government to find as quickly as possible a just and final solution of the colonial problem. He accordingly advises the peoples of the remaining British colonies to rely on the declared intentions and good faith of the British Government, and to press their case for early independence by constitutional means.
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Congo
9. President Nkrumah and Mr. Sandys reviewed developments in the Congo. They noted that, while there have from time to time been differences about methods, the objective of both Governments is the same, namely, to support the United Nations in securing the early re-establishment of the unity and territorial integrity of the Congo; the establishment of a democratically chosen central government free from outside interference, and the peaceful solution of internal problems through conciliation. In this connection, Mr. Sandys made it clear that it has always been the policy of the British Government to promote the inclusion of the Katanga in the Congo.
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British Military Personnel
10. President Nkrumah expressed warm appreciation of the services rendered to Ghana by the British military personnel who have been serving with Ghana's Armed Forces. He referred to the request he had made for the establishment in Ghana of a British Military Training Team. Mr. Sandys undertook to examine this request.
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Disarmament
11. President Nkrumah and Mr. Sandys emphasised that Britain and Ghana are united in their desire to work together for the achievement of total world-wide disarmament; and they reaffirmed the principles set out in the joint declaration issued by the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth at their meeting in London last March.
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Commonwealth Co-operation
12. President Nkrumah and Mr. Sandys stressed the importance of strengthening the collective influence of the Commonwealth for peace. They were convinced that the Commonwealth, as a multi-racial association of free peoples, could play a unique part in providing a bridge between races and continents and in helping to create trust and understanding between them.
§ President Nkrumah and Mr. Sandys expressed their hope that this statement will help to allay misunderstandings between their two countries. They appeal to all who play a part in forming public opinion in each country to show understanding for the point of view of the other country and to take the utmost care to avoid misinterpretation of the other's policies and intentions, and thereby help to strengthen confidence and friendship between Ghana and Britain.
§ (Signed) KWAME NKRUMAH.
§ DUNCAN SANDYS.
§ ACCRA,
§ th October,