The influential leader during the African independence movement was Kwame Nkrumah. He played a key role in Ghana's struggle for independence from British colonial rule, becoming the country's first Prime Minister and later its president. Nkrumah advocated for Pan-Africanism and championed the idea of African unity, inspiring many movements across the continent. His vision aimed at economic independence and self-governance, influencing a generation of leaders fighting against colonialism. Nkrumah's policies and political philosophies remained pivotal in shaping contemporary African politics and the post-colonial landscape.