DID YOU KNOW THAT GHANA ACTUALLY GAIN INDEPENDENT ON 24TH FEBRUARY, 1957?

Ghana is the first country in the west Africa to gain independent. The country gains its independent through these six men who contributed much for the country to gain its independent. Their names are listed below;

1. Kwame Nkrumah

2. Arko Agyei

3. Obetsebi Lamptey

4. Edward Akuffo-Addo

5. JB Dankwah

6. Ofori Atta                

These first form a political party called United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). And called for Nkrumah from abroad to be the secretary for the party. Later Nkrumah went and established his own party after the arrest of these six men by their colonial masters. Nkrumah named his party Convention People’s Party (CPP). And the motto for Nkrumah’s party gets the people’s attention and supported him. His motto was “SELF GOVERNMENT NOW”.

The party was established in 1949. After Nkrumah establishing his party, he became rival with the UGCC leaders. Nkrumah fought as much as possible to free his motherland Ghana from their colonial master’s rule-The Great Britain.

Series of elections were held for the local political parties who wanted to be the political leaders for the country Ghana. Ghana initially was called Gold Coast until gaining independent then change to the name Ghana. The name Ghana was derived from the route of the Akan’s tribe in the Ghana. It was believed that they came from an empire called OLD GHANA EMPIRE.

From 1951 to 1956, series of elections were held among the local political parties. The parties that were into existence during that time were, UGCC, CPP, Ghana Congress Party (GCP), Togoland Congress (TC), Northern People’s Party (NPP), National liberation Movement (NLM), etc.

It was until 1956 then the last general election was held and it was between CPP and NLM. The CPP won this election and defeated the National Liberation Movement (NLM). At this point of time, the Queen the was still in control of the affairs of the country. It was until July 1960 then Ghana became a republic country to own their own affairs and manage the country herself.

It was on the 24^th February, 1957, then Ghana became an independent country. But Kwame Nkrumah changed the date from 24^th February to 6^th March, 1957. This was so because Ghana became under colony on 6^th March 1871. So, Nkrumah wanted it to be simple to calculate the number of years Ghana have been into colony. These changes affected the actual date Ghana became an independent country since the day Nkrumah made those changes.