The emergent Ghanaian commercial and intellectual elite formed the United Gold Coast Council (UGCG) in 1947 with the goal of independence as soon as possible. Still there were disagreements regarding approach. 
Nkrumah wanted independence and also saw the need to democratize the independence movement. The UCGC paid lip service to “independence now” but ultimately favored a more gradual approach.
Nkrumah tried to win over the UCGC but his approach was deemed too radical, so Nkrumah left and formed the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in 1949, drawing support from farmers, petty traders, and low level civil servants, among others.
Nkrumah specifically presented the CPP as a party of the masses opposed to the bureaucratic and commercial elite along with the traditional chiefs. Nkrumah’s personal charisma was also key to the party’s success.
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