This resulted in a substantial victory for the Progress Party, led by Kofi Busia, a university professor who had consistently opposed Nkrumah. He later was selected to be the NDC’s presidential candidate in the December 7, 2012, election. Accra is the capital and and largest city of Ghana. Religion: Christian and Muslim. Gold Coast Ghana. To address the country’s economic problems, in 2015 the government received a financial assistance package from the IMF to support economic reform. NOW 50% OFF! Language: English. source: Wikipedia. After the electoral commission declared Mahama the winner, the NPP filed a petition with the Supreme Court to challenge the results. Akufo-Addo was inaugurated on January 7, 2017. The British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory lead to the formation of the nation, Ghana in the year 1957. By 1966 his dream of African socialism was foundering under haphazard and corrupt administration, massive foreign debts, and declining living standards. Ghana fought for Independence for a very long time ultimately ending in 1957. Location: Gulf of Guinea, Atlantic Ocean. Ghana is one of such countries and a lot of people do not know this but Ghana was the first African country to gain her independence in 1957. It is only a few degrees north of the Equator. 95. 62 Hearty Cheers to Ghana. Gen. Frederick W.K. Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain her independence from colonialism. The traditional religious practices of the Ghanaian people were also almost similar. Eventually, in 1979, as the economy floundered, the government of the generals was overthrown by young officers and noncommissioned officers, led by an air force flight lieutenant, Jerry Rawlings. The Empire is one of the most internationally famous African empires and was extensively studied by the British. The military regime was clearly failing to maintain good order or anything approaching a prosperous or stable economy. The court’s verdict, issued on August 29, 2013, dismissed the NPP’s petition and upheld Mahama’s victory; Akufo-Addo accepted the outcome. Celebrations also take place in different parts of the world where Ghanaians have found a second home. There has been another scuffle in the Odododiodoo constituency in today's polls. She gained her independence on March 6, 1957. The 1st of October is a very significant day for all Nigerians. Inspired by the Ethiopian flag, the Ghanaian flag was the second African flag to feature a combination of red, green, and yellow. Despite the economic progress that had been made during Rawlings’s rule, much of the Ghanaian press and many Ghanaian professionals remained highly critical of his economic policies and authoritarian political style. Edward Akuffo-Addo, Dr. J. The People of Ghana Type of Government: constitutional democracy Languages Spoken: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga) Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK) National Holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Nationality: Ghanaian(s) Religions: Christian 63%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 21% National Symbol: black star; golden eagle In February, while Nkrumah was in Beijing, army and police leaders rose against him, and his regime was replaced by a National Liberation Council chaired by Lieut. The national assembly was dissolved, public meetings prohibited, political parties proscribed, and leading politicians imprisoned. With a strong history and culture spanning over centuries, we highlighted some modern facts to know about Ghana. The Minister was an innovator in Africa since Ghana was one of the first countries in the continent to reach independence. 5. In 1975 the NRC was reorganized to include some civilians, but ultimate power was given to a Supreme Military Council (SMC). Gen. Joseph A. Ankrah. But the civilian regime, handicapped by the great burden of foreign debt it had inherited and the low prices then obtained by cocoa on the world market, was slow to produce the results expected of it. John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as interim president later that day. President: John Dramani Mahama. Akufo-Addo’s administration began to follow up on several of his campaign pledges, such as providing free senior secondary education, which was implemented in September 2017. GPL: Great Olympics clash against Ebusua Dwarfs postponed, Covid vaccine: UK woman becomes first in world to receive Pfizer jab, Brexit: PM to meet EU chief in bid to save trade deal, 2020 Election: Scuffle breaks out at Bukom Park polling centre (video), Abura Asebu Kwamankese: Felix Kwakye Ofosu concedes defeat, 2020 Election: Any Presidential ballot paper without 12 candidates invalid - EC, Dumelo requests recount in Ayawaso West Wuogon, 2020 Election: Nii Lante Vanderpuye arrested, No party agents for Akua Donkor's party in Navrongo Central Constituency. Nkrumah’s administration, the 1966 coup, and the return to civilian rule. Some 180 judges, magistrates, and other judicial officials were caught on video demanding money from litigants and accepting bribes. Ghana benefits significantly from its exports of precious metals such as gold, aluminum, and diamonds. Kakum National Park. Subsequent investigations by the country’s Judicial Council resulted in the dismissal of dozens of the accused, including some High Court judges. It is surrounded by Togo to the east, Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north and the Gulf of Guinea(Atlantic Ocean) to the south. In 1977 the SMC proposed a “Union Government to which everybody will belong,” with no political parties and the military sharing in government with civilians. Whatever your Ghanaian know-how, these 16 interesting facts about Ghana … To celebrate Nigeria’s 60th independence day, here is a list of 5 interesting facts about Nigeria’s independence day that you need to know. Ghana Independence Day celebrates the country’s independence from the United Kingdom. Ghana Independence Day 2020-Theme,History & Facts Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast) became the first Sub-Saharan African country to become independent of European colonization on 6 March 1957. Mahama presided over a period of growing discontent caused by a weakening economy—partly due to declining prices on Ghana’s main exports and growing public wage costs—as well as power shortages and corruption scandals. Akuffo, who was less effective in governing than his predecessor. The empire became known in Europe and Arabia as the Ghana Empire after the title of its Emperor, the Ghana. Kokrobite Beach. Its official name is the Republic of Ghana. Ghana is ranked the most peaceful country in Africa by the Global Peace Index. On the Pan-African front Nkrumah’s messianism was increasingly challenged by other leaders of an ever-growing number of independent states. But Ankrah failed to redeem a promise to restore parliamentary democracy, and in 1969 he gave way to the dynamic young brigadier Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa, a principal leader of the coup. Some houses are built along the water in Accra, Ghana's largest city. Meanwhile, Mahama had been sworn in for his first full term as president earlier that year, on January 7. Initially settled by Africans, Ghana was occupied by Europeans since 1492, but it … For the next 25 years, Ghana was typically governed by military rulers with varying economic impacts. Fighting between the members broke out. The country returned to democratic rule in 1992 and has built a reputation as a stable, liberal economy. Ghana was colonized for over a century by The British Empire, who named the country The Gold Coast due to the abundance of Gold it had. 3. A program to boost the economy by getting at least one factory in each of the country’s more than 200 districts was also launched in 2017. Ghanian Pres. One of the scandals that rocked the country broke in 2015 when a journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, released the results of his two-year investigation into corruption in Ghana’s judicial system. Despite its small size and population of about 28 million, Ghana has one of the strongest economies on the continent. Mole National Park. Oil and agriculture are also major pillars of Ghana’s economy. Ghana Was the First Sub-Saharan Country in Africa to Gain Independence, this must be enlisted in Ghana facts for kids. This continued even when he decided that there was no alternative but to follow conservative economic policies—such as dropping subsidies and price controls in order to reduce inflation, privatizing many state-owned companies, and devaluing currency in order to stimulate exports—that would secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) support and other foreign aid. It has an abundance of culture with it boasting of at least five major language groups namely; Dagomba, Ewe, Fante, Ashanti and the Ga. The NDC parliamentary candidate for Abura Asebu Kwamankese has in a Facebook…, The Electoral Commission has responded to alleged cases of some officials…, The NDC parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo is…, Member of Parliament for the Odododiodoo constituency, Edwin Nii Lante…, Akua Donkor's Ghana Freedom Party (GFDP) has no party agents to monitor voting…. Former Ghanaian vice president John Mahama (seated, centre) after being sworn in as president in Accra, Ghana, just hours after the death of Pres. Ghana favours international and regional political and economic co-operation, and is an active member of the United Nations and the African Union. 1. In 1992, in the first presidential balloting held in Ghana since 1979, Rawlings—representing a new party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—was elected president. It has a total population of 27,410,000. Ghana has a strong relationship with the United States. The machinery of government was overhauled and conservative financial policies introduced. The square was completed in 1961 to commemorate their independence. Cape Coast Castle. Ghana started its fight for Independence around 1830 about ten years after the British colonized it in 1821. 1. The country has an area of 238,500 km2 (92,085 sq mi). Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to ideals of nonalignment and is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Ghanaian Pres. The Gold Coast was renamed Ghana upon independence in 1957 because of indications that present-day inhabitants descended from migrants who moved south from the ancient kingdom of Ghana. Jerry J. Rawlings addressing the United Nations Millennium Summit, September 7, 2000. The electoral commission declared that Mahama was the winner with 50.7 percent of the vote—just enough to avoid having a runoff election with Akufo-Addo, who trailed him with 47.74 percent. World Facts Index Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. The Cape ... 2. Ghana’s Atlantic Coast is lined with old forts (castles) built by various European powers during the 17th Century. The British-educated leader of independence, Kwame Nkrumah, made his emphasis clear in 1945 at the Pan-African Congress. Ghana gained its independence on March 6, 1957. Before the results were released, however, the NPP had already made allegations of electoral fraud. In the December 2008 presidential elections, the NPP’s candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, won the first round of voting but did not secure a majority of the vote. 5. Acheampong and Akuffo were executed, and a quick return to parliamentary government was organized. Today, however, although Ghana, is a presidential democracy, the Ashanti kingdom still survived in the country as a sub-national proto-state that enjoys constitutional protection. Fact 5: Economic development. Area: 92,099 square miles. The Name ‘Nigeria’ The name ‘Nigeria’ was coined […] Five interesting facts about Ghana's Independence, The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the postponement of Great…, A 90-year-old woman has become the first person to be given a Covid jab as part…, The Electoral Commission, EC office in Fomena in the Ashanti Region is in…, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to Brussels later this week to meet…. 4. Akufo-Addo was declared the winner with almost 54 percent of the vote; Mahama, who followed him with about 44 percent, conceded. In fact, the Ashanti monarchy still continues (in a much smaller form) inside Ghana. Different ethnic communities come with different beliefs and different cultures. 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