Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1909–1972

As early as 1942, Kwame Nkrumah began to push for Ghana's independence from colonial rule. This was achieved in 1957, and Nkrumah became Ghana's president three years later. As his administration progressed, Nkrumah's acts became increasingly dictatorial. While out of the country, his administration was overthrown, and he spent the rest of his life in exile in Guinea.