WASSCE SHS
Independence did not end the argument about how Ghana should be governed. The first republic, military rule, and the return to elections are all part of that argument.
Nkrumah's government expanded schools, built roads, and started the Akosombo dam. It supported other African independence movements. It also made Ghana a republic in 1960, then a one party state, and it detained opponents under the Preventive Detention Act. In 1966 the army and the police removed him while he was outside the country. Later governments restored elections, and further coups interrupted them, including those of 1972 and 1981. The 1992 constitution returned the country to an elected president and a parliament, and it limits how long a president may serve.
A causes and effects question needs both. Economic trouble, the one party state, and the detention of opponents are causes people give for 1966. Effects of the coups include years of military rule and, later, a constitution written to split power and to limit a president's time in office. Do not stop at a slogan such as "he was a dictator" or "the soldiers saved Ghana". Name the act, the year, or the institution. The dam and the schools are part of the same story as the Preventive Detention Act. An answer that mentions only one of them is incomplete when the question says "assess" or "how far".
The History tips guide sets out the papers, how to build a point with an example, and the mistakes that cost marks. WASSCE History tips
1966 is the coup against Nkrumah, not the year of independence. 1957 is independence. 1960 is the republic. 1992 is the constitution of the Fourth Republic. The Preventive Detention Act is the law to name when you write about opponents being detained. A balanced answer on Nkrumah needs one achievement and one grievance. Military rule is not automatically "order". Say what changed: who held power, and whether people could vote.
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.
4 marks
(a) In which year was Kwame Nkrumah removed from office? (1 mark)
(b) Who carried out that removal? (1 mark)
(c) Name one law his government had used against opponents. (2 marks)
(a) 1966.
(b) The army and the police.
(c) The Preventive Detention Act.
6 marks
State two achievements of Ghana in the years just after independence, and one reason critics gave for the 1966 coup. (6 marks)
Schools were expanded, and the Akosombo dam was begun. Critics pointed to the one party state and to the detention of opponents under the Preventive Detention Act.
4 marks
What did the 1992 constitution change about how Ghana is governed? Give two points. (4 marks)
It restored an elected president and a parliament. It also limits how long a president may stay in office.
More questions on this topic are inside glearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
Practise History freeA law used under Nkrumah to detain opponents without a normal trial. It is the example to give when a question asks how the government treated opposition. It is not the 1992 constitution.
At least one achievement, such as schools or the Akosombo dam, and one grievance, such as the one party state or the detention of opponents. The year of the coup is 1966. Independence was 1957. All WASSCE History past questions