13 Facts About Erica Powell

Erica Powell OBE was a British Private Secretary to Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana and later to Siaka Stevens, President of Sierra Leone.

Erica Powell was a controversial figure, who was suspected by the British and by Ghanaians of lack of loyalty, and to have been too close to Nkrumah.

Erica Powell ghost wrote Nkrumah's autobiography, while writing her own interesting biography, which was eventually published, after Nkrumah's death.

Erica Powell trained to be a secretary and then to teach.

Erica Powell came top of her class during the 1940 London Chamber of Commerce Shorthand and Typewriting exams.

Erica Powell went on to be employed by Barclays Bank, during the second world war.

Erica Powell said that an attractive swimsuit got her the job of Private Secretary to the Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Charles Arden-Clarke.

Erica Powell returned to Ghana in January 1955, to work for Kwame Nkrumah, a position she held for ten years.

Erica Powell became close friends with the leading librarian Evelyn Evans, who provided calm during periods of stress.

Erica Powell was accused of being a foreign spy whilst in Ghana.

Erica Powell later worked for Siaka Stevens as his private secretary from 1970 to 1979.

Erica Powell attended Nkrumah's funeral in 1972, as part of the official Sierra Leone delegation.

Erica Powell's obituary was covered by the Times and BBC Radio.