Independence Day (Ghana)
Independence Day is an official state holiday celebrated by the Ghanaians and the Ghanaian diaspora, which is celebrated on March 6 every year. Independence Day marks the declaration of independence from British colonial rule, by Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah on 6 March 1957. Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence from British colonial rule. If Independence Day falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be observed as a holiday.Celebration History
The Independence Day was celebrated for the first time outside Accra in Tamale and Kumasi. In 1957, the independence celebrations were attended by Martin Luther King Jr., President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The Bagad Lann Bihoue of the French Navy took part in the 60th anniversary celebrations.Parade
Black Star Square is a site for Ghana's Independence Day parade, particularly the Trooping of the Colour aspect derived from the British era. A notable parade was the Golden Jubilee, which was led by President John Kufuor. In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II, who until the year before was the Queen of Ghana, attended the parade as the British sovereign and took part in the inspection tour with President Nkrumah.
