Following several decades of British domination, Ghana proclaimed its independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957, making it precisely 66 years ago today.
But, it was not until around three years later that Ghanaians fully took control of the government, with leaders who were also from Ghana.
As a result, Ghana gained its independence on July 1, 1960.
Yet before becoming a republic, Ghana under Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah—who would eventually serve as the nation’s first president—had to define its legal system and system of government.
Hence, Dr. Nkrumah’s speech to the nation on March 6, 1960, in honor of the nation’s third anniversary of independence focused mostly on detailing a path created by his Convention Peoples Party in order to give Ghana full republic status.
In his anniversary speech, Dr. Nkrumah detailed the foundation of what would become Ghana’s first Constitution, the election procedure, the makeup and powers of the new government, and its structure and arms.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s speech was given a few weeks before the April 27, 1960, vote.
The major concern was converting the nation from a constitutional monarchy with Elizabeth II as head of state to a republic with a presidential form of government.
The then prime minister in his anniversary address also called for the full participation of citizens in the exercise.
Being a full believer in the unity of Africa, his address also reiterated the need for a union African government and the preparedness of Ghana to its sovereignty “in whole or in pain the interest of a Union African States and Territories as soon as ever such union becomes practicable.
