Ghana became independent from British colonial rule on 6 March 1957. The country became a republic on 1 July 1960.
The idea
Before independence the territory was the Gold Coast, ruled by Britain. Colonial government made the major decisions, and the economy was organised to serve that relationship. Nationalists organised political parties, newspapers and campaigns. Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People's Party were central to the final push, alongside earlier leaders and parties who had demanded a share in government. Independence on 6 March 1957 made Ghana a self governing state within the Commonwealth, with a prime minister.
A republic, from 1 July 1960, replaced the British monarch as head of state with a Ghanaian president. Independence was not only a ceremony. It meant Ghanaians could make their own laws, run their own foreign policy and decide how resources would be used. It also brought responsibilities: building schools, holding the new state together, and resisting a return to rule by a few. When you write about the meaning of independence, include both the freedom gained and the work that followed.
What earns the marks
Dates must be exact if you give them. 6 March 1957 is independence. 1 July 1960 is the republic. Do not swap them. Naming Nkrumah earns a mark when the question asks for a leader. A full answer on the significance of independence says what changed for law, for leadership and for ordinary people, not only that "we were free".
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
3 marks
(a) On what date did the Gold Coast become independent Ghana? (1 mark)
(b) What was the name of the country before independence? (1 mark)
(c) Name one leader associated with the independence movement. (1 mark)
Model answer
(a) 6 March 1957.
(b) The Gold Coast.
(c) Kwame Nkrumah.
Mark scheme
6 March 1957. The year alone is not enough if the question asks for the date1 mark
Gold Coast1 mark
A correct leader, such as Kwame Nkrumah. Other nationalists of the period are accepted when they are accurately named1 mark
2Question 2
4 marks
State two differences between independence in 1957 and the change to a republic in 1960. (4 marks)
Model answer
In 1957 Ghana became self governing, but the British monarch remained head of state and Nkrumah was prime minister. In 1960 Ghana became a republic. A Ghanaian president replaced the monarch as head of state.
Mark scheme
1957: end of colonial rule, or self government1 mark
1957: the monarch remained head of state, or the head of government was a prime minister1 mark
1960: Ghana became a republic1 mark
1960: a Ghanaian president became head of state1 mark
3Question 3
4 marks
Give two reasons independence mattered to the people of Ghana, apart from the celebration itself. (4 marks)
Model answer
Ghanaians could make their own laws through their own parliament. They could also decide their own relations with other countries, instead of having foreign policy set from London.
Mark scheme
One substantive change, such as making their own laws or controlling resources, with a short explanation2 marks
A second substantive change, such as foreign policy or leadership accountable to Ghanaians, with a short explanation2 marks
Practise Social Studies with Kevin
More questions on this topic are inside GLearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
On 6 March 1957 the Gold Coast became independent Ghana. On 1 July 1960 Ghana became a republic, with a Ghanaian president as head of state. Those are two different events.
Who led Ghana to independence?+
Kwame Nkrumah led the Convention People's Party and became the first prime minister at independence, and later the first president of the republic. The movement also included earlier nationalists and other parties. All BECE Social Studies past questions