5 Ways To Celebrate Ghana's Independence Day
Relive the iconic day in 1957 and sing along to 'Ghana Freedom'.
Ghana at 66!
Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, is the first country south of the Sahara to gain Independence on 6th March 1957. The feat also inspired other African countries to fight for Independence. 66 years on, we celebrate the day through these five highlights.
#1: Meet the father of Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah, a fierce Pan-Africanist, led Ghana's Independence campaign and became the country's first Prime Minister and later President (1957 - 1966).
Learn more about Nkrumah's life with photos of his days as the president and listen to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's sermon The Birth of a Nation which he which he delivered after his visit to Ghana for its Independence Day.
Tap to explore
Tour Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum.
#2: Sing along to 'Ghana Freedom'
Music is the heartbeat of Ghana, and a big part of any celebration. In the 19th century, Highlife emerged on the coast of Ghana and diffused into the inner parts of the country.
Enjoy Dance Highlife by E.T Mensah, and Palm Wine Highlife by Agya Koo Nimo. From Northern Ghana, flow with Kologo music or vibe to the contemporary music fusion of Amaarae, Akan, Ria Boss and Worlasi.
Ghana Freedom by E.T. Mensah
Ghana, we now have freedom (freedom)
Ghana, land of freedom
Toils of the brave
And the sweat of their labours
Toils of the brave which has brought results
Kwame, the star of Ghana (freedom)
Nkrumah, star of Ghana (everybody)
Toils of the brave
And the sweat of their labours
Toils of the brave which has brought results
Gold Coast will thank Nanaom and elders
Late Casely Hayford, Mensah Sabbah Paa Grant, Sargent Adjetey
And all who fought for freedom
Everybody
Toils of the brave
And the sweat of their labours
Toils of the brave which has brought results
#3: Relive history through the lens of James Barnor
James Barnor (b.1929) is now widely recognised as one of Ghana's pioneering photographers. By the time the country had attained political independence in 1957, Barnor had emerged as a formidable photographer. And throughout the years, he has been there with his camera to witness the development of the nation.
James Barnor: A Retrospective trailer Nubuke Foundation
The video highlights Nubuke Foundation retrospective exhibition of Barnor's work. Through the medium of portraiture, Barnor’s photographs represent societies in transition: Ghana moving towards its independence and London becoming a cosmopolitan, multicultural metropolis.
#4: Feel the vibe with Ghanaian slang
Vibe - A good feeling
Chale and Gee - Friend
Chef/ Chairman/ Big man - a term of address. Like dude. Big man may also refer to an elite or a politician.
Burgher/Borga - Returnee/ Been-to Contemporarily, it may mean dude.
Ice / block - Money
#5: Meet the artists and discover the art scene
Ghana's contemporary art scene is thriving and reaching global acclaim. If in Ghana, make sure to visit the galleries Nubuke Foundation, Artist Alliance, Gallery 1957, Foundation for Contemporary Art-Ghana, the blaxTARLINES KUMASI Contemporary Art Space, Kumasi and the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art and Tamale.
Family Room (Abusua Asaso) (2017) by Gideon AppahOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation
Check out the works of El Anatsui, Ibrahim Mahama, and Serge Attukwei Clottey. Or get to know Ghana's young emerging artists with Winifred Amoah, Rufai Zakari, Musah Yussif, Jonathan Kwegyir Aggrey,and Bernice Ameyaw.
