Ghana Becomes Independent
The British colony of the Gold Coast united with British Togoland to became the Independent State of Ghana. Kwame N'krumah was the first Prime Minister
The Gold Coast had been a British colony since 1874. During the time, the British fought the Kingdom of Ashanti, which the British eventually defeated. After World War II, the Ghanian began to demand Independence. The United Gold Coast Convention was held in 1947 and called for the self-government as soon as possible. Kwame Nkrumah formed the Convention People’s Party in 1949. The CPP called for immediate Independence of the Gold Coast.
The British Parliament passed the Ghana independence Act, and the Queen approved it on February 7, 1957. It established the country of Ghana, which consisted of the Gold Coast Colony, a British colony, the Ashanti Colony, the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast, a British Protectorate, and British Togoland. The Act took effect on March 6, 1957. A ceremony was held, marking Independence attended by world leaders.