Today’s Doodle celebrates Ghana’s Independence. On this day in 1957, Ghana became the first African country in sub-Saharan Africa to officially become a free nation.
Each year on March 6, schools and businesses close as people flood the streets for parades and carnivals. Ghana’s national flag waving can be found waving throughout the nation — like the one in today’s Doodle. The red, yellow, and green tricolor with a black star in the middle represents independence, wealth, and the country’s forests and farms.
Highlife music fills the air as school children and military members parade through Ghana’s major cities. It’s popular for families to prepare traditional dishes like waakye (mouthwatering rice & beans) or jollof rice (a yummy rice bowl filled with peppers and tomatoes). Fireworks splash across Ghana’s skylines at night as people wind down from celebrations.
About Ghana Independence Day
Ghana Independence Day, celebrated annually on March 6, holds profound significance for Ghanaians both within the country and across the globe. This public holiday commemorates Ghana’s liberation from British rule in 1957, marking the establishment of the Nation of Ghana. This article delves into the historical journey leading to independence, the cultural richness of Ghana, and the various ways in which this day is observed.
History of Ghana Independence Day
Before European colonization, Ghana was inhabited by the Ashanti tribe and various other tribes with abundant natural resources, including gold and ivory. The allure of these riches attracted European colonists, sparking a struggle for control among nations. The British, in 1874, gained control and renamed the region the British Gold Coast.
After World War II, a weakened Britain sought to reduce its colonies globally, including those in Africa. The United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C.), founded by J. B. Danquah, called for self-government, gaining momentum. In 1951, Kwame Nkrumah, leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), won the Gold Coast legislative election, paving the way for independence. On March 6, 1957, Ghana declared independence, becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve such freedom.