"Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah had championed the cause of creating a borderless Africa and a common government for Africa.Between 1957 and 1966, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana fought vigorously for the creation of a Union of African States with a common African Government. His optimism for the unity and cohesion of Africa as a lever for continental development was indeed unparalleled. It is interesting to note that Nkrumah vehemently criticized the artificial divisions and territorial boundaries created by the colonial powers which he regarded as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the political unity of African peoples" [source - the linked paper above]. So, to some extent, yes it was culture wars exacerbated by western colonial powers that has caused much ethnic strife across modern Africa.