The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has called on Ghanaians to continue to work together to protect the state and fight against injustice, corruption and political victimisation.
In a statement to mark the 57th Republican Anniversary, the National Chairman and Leader of the CPP, Professor Edmund N. Delle, congratulated Ghanaians on protecting the sovereignty of the country over the past 57 years and still doing so.
After three years of independence, Ghana completely weaned itself from British colonial rule and Dr Kwame Nkrumah became the first President of the republic.
The CPP leader, therefore, extended felicitations to all members of the party and Ghanaians on the 57th anniversary of the attainment of the country’s republican status.
Prof. Delle recounted that after becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence on March 6, 1957, Ghana’s political freedom inspired the liberation of many other African countries from colonial governance.
The statement said Dr Nkrumah led the country in the vanguard of the African revolution where in 1960 alone, about 17 African countries were liberated from colonial rule and the clutches of imperial and metropolitan political control.
“Ghana, on the 1st of July, 1960, totally weaned itself from British colonial rule as the Queen of England’s Governor-General left the shores of the country, to signify that the Black Star of Africa had taken charge of her own affairs,” the statement added.
It said Ghana’s victory in attaining a full republican status went along with claiming the full sovereignty over all aspects of national and international life, adding that Ghana must work again.
Background
As the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence on March 6, 1957, Ghana’s political freedom instigated the liberation of many African countries from colonial rule.
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines a republic as a country without a king or queen, usually governed by elected representatives of the people and a President.
A republican system of government is where the citizenry have the mandate of electing political leaders and other representatives to govern their country through a direct voting process.
Republic Day is a national holiday in several countries to commemorate the day they gained republican status. In some countries, it is referred to as ‘National Day’ or ‘Proclamation Day’.
In Ghana for example, the day is also known as Senior Citizens Day, and some elderly citizens who played significant roles in the struggle for independence and the nation-building process are accorded state recognition on every July 1.
First Republic
In 1956, the CPP won the legislative election leading to Ghana’s independence, and Dr Nkrumah became the first Prime Minister of the land.
Ghana held its first presidential election alongside a referendum on creating an executive Presidency on April 27, 1960. There were only two candidates – Dr Nkrumah and Dr J.B. Danquah, the leader of the United Party (UP).
Source: graphic.com
