 | This articlemay be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia'slayout guidelines. Please help byediting the article to make improvements to the overall structure.(March 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
 Ghana's 50th anniversary parade in 2007. | |
| Also called | National Day |
| Observed by | Ghana, Ghanaian diaspora |
| Type | National. |
| Significance | Independence from British colonial rule in 1957. |
| Date | March 6 |
| Frequency | Annual |
TheIndependence Day of Ghana is a national holiday celebrated yearly. This day is an official stateholiday for the citizens ofGhana both within and in the diaspora to honor and celebrate the Heroes of Ghana who led the country to attain its independence. The Independence Day is celebrated on March 6 every year.[1] Independence Day is also remembrance of the day that marks the declaration of Ghanaian independence from theBritish colonial rule.[2] The firstPrime Minister of Ghana,Kwame Nkrumah, became the Head of Government from 1957 to 1960.[3] On Wednesday, 6 March 1957 Kwame Nkrumah declared to the people of Ghana about their freedom, he added that, "the African People are capable of managing their own affairs and Ghana our beloved country is free forever."[4]Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve its independence from European colonial rule.[5] Many Ghanaians who have had the opportunity to serve as president have remembered the occasion and made Ghana Independence Day a public holiday to celebrate.[6] Granting the day as a national holiday is well recognized such that, if 6 March of a year fell on a weekend of the Independence Day celebration,[7] the working day that follows which is a Monday will be granted and observed as a holiday by the whole nation.[8] Many Presidents from other African countries and Europe have been invited to Ghana to join in the celebration either as Guest Speakers or Invited Guests since the reign of former President Kwame Nkrumah till now.[9]
Ghana formerly known as theGold Coast had many natural resources categorized into two as minerals and forest resources.[10] The mineral resources aregold andivory, bauxite, diamond, and manganese, which meant theEuropeans desired the area.[11] There are also food and cash crops.[12][13] Many controversies arose among the European countries as to who should take charge of the Gold Coast due to its rich natural resources.[14] In 1874, theBritish took control over parts of Gold Coast[15] although the Portuguese were the first to settle atElmina in the Gold Coast in 1482.[16] After the British took control, the Gold Coast was named theBritish Gold Coast.[17][18] After the World War II, the British reduced its control over its colonies in Africa, including the Gold Coast.[19] TheUnited Gold Coast convention pioneered the call forindependence within the shortest possible time after the Gold Coast legislative election in 1947.[20] Osagyefo in 1952, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah won the election to lead the Gold Coast administration[21] after he won the Gold Coast legislative election in 1951.[22] Led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the C.P.P., the Gold Coast declared its independence from the British on Wednesday, 6 March 1957.[23] The Gold Coast was named Ghana.[24]
| Year | Theme | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Investing in The Youth For Ghana's Transformation[25] | Independence Square (Accra) |
| 2014 | Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through patriotism and National Unity[25] | Independence Square (Accra) |
| 2015 | Achieving Transformation Through National Unity[26] | Independence Square (Accra) |
| 2016 | Investing in the Youth for Ghana's Transformation[25] | Independence Square(Accra) |
| 2017 | Mobilizing for Ghana's Future[27] | Independence Square (Accra) |
| 2018 | Ghana Beyond Aid[28] | Independence Square (Accra) |
| 2019 | Celebrating Peace and Unity[29] | Aliu Mahama Stadium (Tamale) |
| 2020 | Consolidating our Gain[30][31] | Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) |
| 2021 | Working Together, Bouncing Back Together[32] | Jubilee House |
The Independence Day was celebrated for the first time outside Accra in Tamale and Kumasi.[33][34] In 1957, the independence celebrations were attended byMartin Luther King Jr., President of theSouthern Christian Leadership Conference.[35][36] TheBagad Lann Bihoue of theFrench Navy took part in the 60th anniversary celebrations.[37]
Black Star Square is a site for Ghana's Independence Day parade, particularly theTrooping of the Colour aspect derived from the British era. A notable parade was theGolden Jubilee (celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence), which was led by PresidentJohn Kufuor.[38][39] In 1961, QueenElizabeth II, who until the year before was theQueen of Ghana, attended the parade as the British sovereign and took part in the inspection tour with President Nkrumah.[40]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help){{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite web}}:|first= has generic name (help)