The moving force behind the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was Kwame Nkrumah. He was the first President of Ghana, and he played a key role in the Pan-African movement, which aimed to promote unity among African countries and liberation from colonialism. Nkrumah called for the creation of an organization that would unite African countries and promote their common interests, such as economic development, political stability, and the eradication of colonialism and apartheid. In May 1963, the OAU was established with the signing of the OAU Charter by 32 African countries.