Independence Day (Ghana)

Independence Day is an official state holiday celebrated by the Ghanaians and the Ghanaian diaspora, which is celebrated on March 6 every year. Independence Day marks the declaration of independence from British colonial rule, by Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah on 6 March 1957.[1] Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence from British colonial rule.[2] If Independence Day falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be observed as a holiday.[3]

Independence Day
Ghana's 50th anniversary parade in 2007.
Also calledNational Day
Observed byGhana, Ghanaian diaspora
TypeNational.
SignificanceIndependence from British colonial rule in 1957.
DateMarch 6
FrequencyAnnual

Celebration History
Year Theme Venue
2013 Investing in The Youth For Ghana's Transformation[4] Independence Square (Accra)
2014 Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through patriotism and National Unity[4] Independence Square (Accra)
2015 Achieving Transformation Through National Unity[5] Independence Square (Accra)
2016 Investing in the Youth for Ghana's Transformation[4] Independence Square(Accra)
2017 Mobilizing for Ghana's Future[6] Independence Square (Accra)
2018 Ghana Beyond Aid[7] Independence Square (Accra)
2019 Celebrating Peace and Unity[8][8] Aliu Mahama Stadium (Tamale)
2020 Consolidating our Gain[9][10] Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi)

The Independence Day was celebrated for the first time outside Accra in Tamale and Kumasi.[11] In 1957, the independence celebrations were attended by Martin Luther King Jr., President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.[12][13] The Bagad Lann Bihoue of the French Navy took part in the 60th anniversary celebrations.[14]

Parade

Black Star Square is a site for Ghana's Independence Day parade, particularly the Trooping of the Colour aspect derived from the British era. A notable parade was the Golden Jubilee (celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence), which was led by President John Kufuor.[15][16] In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II, who until the year before was the Queen of Ghana, attended the parade as the British sovereign and took part in the inspection tour with President Nkrumah.[17]

See also

References
  1. "5 Things To Know About Ghana's Independence Day". Africa.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  2. "Ghanian Independence Day 2019". officeholidays.com. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  3. "On This Day" BBC
  4. "Ghana's 59th Independence Day Parade in pictures". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  5. Ghana, News. "2015 Ghana Independence Commemoration". Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  6. "Ghana celebrates 60 years of independence today". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  7. "Photos from Independence Day celebrations nationwide". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  8. "Ghana marks 62nd Independence day outside Accra for the first time – Public Records And Archives Administration Department". Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  9. "63rd Independence day parade to be held in Ashanti Region". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana, Current Affairs, Business News , Headlines, Ghana Sports, Entertainment, Politics,. 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2020-03-06.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  10. "Today is Independence Day". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  11. "Ghana makes history as it marks 62nd Independence Day at a venue outside Accra for the first time". www.pulse.com.gh. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  12. https://qz.com/africa/1813868/how-ghanas-independence-day-inspired-martin-luther-king-jr/amp/
  13. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/ghana-trip
  14. https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Veep-and-the-French-Ambassador-welcome-the-French-Navy-Pipe-Band-526847
  15. Lentz, Carola (2013-09-16). "Ghana@50. Celebrating the Nation. Debating the Nation". Cahiers d'études africaines. 53 (211): 519–546. doi:10.4000/etudesafricaines.17405. ISSN 0008-0055.
  16. "Ghana celebrates 50 years that changed Africa". Reuters. 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  17. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/ghana-to-gambia-monument-in-middle-of-black-star-square-news-footage/828510362?adppopup=true


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