History
square. In 1957, the Ghanaian politician and revolutionary leader Kwame Nkrumah led the Gold Coast, now Ghana, to its independence from the United Kingdom. Nkrumah became the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, and to celebrate his nation’s newfound autonomy, he commissioned the construction of a large public square. Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, is situated in Accra, Ghana, and is now the venue for all major military and civic parades in the Ghanaian capital. It was completed in 1961 to coincide with the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II. From the first parades in honour of the Queen’s visit all the way up to the present day, Black Star Square has hosted all of the country’s major national public gatherings, national festivals, military parades, and concerts. The most important parade held in the square each year is the Independence Day parade on March 6.
About
The Independence Arch in Accra, Ghana, is part of Independence Square, which features monuments commemorating Ghana’s struggle for independence. In Independence Square, large stands with a total seating capacity of 30,000 surround the edges of the square. The square boasts three monuments which encapsulate the fight for independence and liberation. These monuments include the Independence Arch, located to the south of the square and backed by the Gulf of Guinea. On the opposite side of the square but facing the arch is the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier, which honours the Ghanaian soldiers who fell fighting for their country. Just to the north of the main square is a roundabout, in the centre of which stands the Black Star Gate, an imposing monument topped by the Black Star of Africa, the five-pointed star that symbolises Africa in general and Ghana in particular. The monument bears the large inscriptions “AD 1957” and “Freedom and Justice” and is the Liberation Day Monument. Independence Square is one of the largest city squares in the world.
Independence Arch
The Independence Arch is guarded by several soldiers who prohibit people from taking close-up pictures of the arch, with the exception of those with official permission. However, every tourist or visitor is at liberty to take pictures of the area.
Liberation Day monument
The Liberation Day monument is a monument in Accra, Ghana. It stands in honour of several veterans of the Burma campaign, conducted during the Second World War by Commonwealth forces, in which the veterans fought for the British Empire. After returning to Ghana, some of the veterans began a peaceful protest and marched towards Christiansborg Castle, then the seat of the Ghanaian colonial government. The protesters were fired upon, and seven of the veterans were killed.
Black Star Gate
Black Star Square
Black Star Square is a site for Ghana’s Independence Day parade, which falls on the 6th of March every year.
Getting There
Black Star Square is located between 28th February Road and Accra’s southern coastline
Nearby Attractions
- Osu Castle
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
- Asomdwe park (the final resting place of the Late President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills)
Nearby Accommodation
- Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel
- Accra City Hotel
- Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel
The post Independence Square appeared first on Visit Ghana.
