Ghana (Commonwealth realm)

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Ghana
Commonwealth realm
←
1957–1960 →
Flag coat of arms
Motto
"Freedom and Justice"
Anthem
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana
Capital Accra
Languages English
Akan
Government Constitutional monarchy
Monarch
 -  1957–1960 Elizabeth II
Governor-General
 - 1957 Charles Noble Arden-Clarke
 - 1957–1960 Lord Listowel
Prime Minister
 - 1957–1960 Kwame Nkrumah
Legislature National Assembly
Historical era Cold War
 -  Independence 6 March 1957
 -  Republic 1 July 1960
Currency BWA pound (1957–1958)
Ghanaian pound (from 1958)
Part of a series on the
History of Ghana
Akan people
Kingdom of Ashanti
Gold Coast region
United Gold Coast Convention
Kwame Nkrumah
Ghana
Years
  • Years in Ghana
Portal icon Ghana portal

The Commonwealth Realm of Ghana, known officially as Ghana, was a predecessor to modern-day Republic of Ghana and an independent state that existed between 15 August 1957 and 26 January 1960. It was the first western African country to achieve independence.

When British rule ended in 1957, Ghana was given independence as a Commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1960 constitution. A referendum was held, with 88.47% percent of the Ghanaian people voting in favour of a republic, 11.53% against. This occurred on 27 April 1960; the Republic of Ghana came into existence on 1 July 1960. During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state of Ghana, and was represented in Ghana by a governor-general. The following governors-general held office in Ghana during the commonwealth realm period:

  1. Charles Noble Arden-Clarke (6 March – 24 June 1957)
  2. William Francis Hare, 5th Earl of Listowel (24 June 1957 – 1 July 1960)

Kwame Nkrumah held office as prime minister (and head of government) of Ghana during this period. Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, a Presidential election was held, whiuch Nkrumah won, and subsequently he became the first President of Ghana.

See also

References

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