Ghana Is 56 Today 

"At long last, the battle has ended! And Ghana, your beloved country is free forever.” Those were the words of the first President of Ghana in 1957.


Today marks Ghana’s 56th birthday as an independent State from British Colonial rule. It is a day that Ghana became the first nation to break its links with colonial power.

The day is statutory public Day and it characterised by parades by school children, security personnel, workers and other identifiable bodies at the independence square,  in Accra and throughout the country.

It is also an opportunity for the Head of State to address the nation to whip up enthusiasm of nationalism.

Although the British Colonialists made moves towards decolonisation after World War 11, the shooting of gallant ex servicemen who were on a peaceful march to the Osu Castle to demand their ex-gratia after the war, escalated the agitation for independence.

The 28 February Christianborg Cross Road Shooting in 1948, led to the death of Sergeant Adjeitey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey.

The newly formed United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) called for self-government within the shortest possible time.

After violent clashes increased for self government the members of the UGCC were arrested including Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the General Secretary of the party.

Nkrumah later formed the Convention People’s Party, which asked for self government now, setting in motion ‘Positive Action’.

Due to the nationalistic aspirations whipped up by Nkrumah, he was rearrested and imprisoned.

After winning a majority in the Legislative Assembly in 1952, he was released and appointed leader of government business after a number of negotiations with the British, and on the eve of 6 March, 1957 Nkrumah declared Ghana independent at the Old Polo Grounds.

The catch phrase for the day was “Ghana Free forever”.
Ghana adopted Red, Gold and Green with a Black Star as a new Flag.It was designed by Theodosia Salome Okoh.

The red represents the blood that was shed towards independence, the gold stands for the mineral wealth, and the green is symbolic of the rich agricultural resources and the black star as the symbol of African emancipation.
  
GBC