06/03/2014 11:17 AM
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PIONEER: Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana's first prime minister
TODAY MARKS 57 years since Ghana won its independence from Britain.
The West African country was the first Sub-Saharan colony to leave the British Empire and gain independence in 1957.
Formerly known as the Gold Coast, the country was renamed Ghana, meaning Warrior King, to commemorate the ancient empire of Wagadou/Ghana.
Starting the winds of change that swept through the continent and saw over 20 countries being released from the grip of the subjugation, Ghana became a new country overnight, with a new name, new governance and a new flag.
The now famous black star flag, designed by Theodosi Salome Okoh, combined red, green, gold and a black star to signify the blood, agriculture, resources and struggle to freedom that Ghanaians had been through.
The first prime minister of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah was the first African head of state to promote Pan-Africanism, as he sought to unify all Africans into one people. Although his dream of a unified continent was not realised, Nkrumah was instrumental in founding the African Union.
Although there have been many difficult times in Ghana, with the country being embroiled in many coups and political upheavals, the country has since recovered from severe economic decline and cemented itself as a stable democracy.
Now, Ghana is a middle-income country with the world’s fastest growing economy in 2011, and still remains the world’s top producer of gold products.
Ghana is a country that is highly involved in developments worldwide, boasting many prominent politians and diplomats on the international stage, such as former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and International Criminal Court Judge Akua Kuenyehia.
So, in honour of 57 years of freedom,The Voice celebrates the amazing country that is Ghana!