Today in History, on July 1, 1960, Kwame Nkrumah became Ghana's first president and the country became a republic.
Ghana became the first African nation south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, whose CPP had won a landslide victory in the 1956 general election, became the country's first Prime Minister, and Dr K.A. Busia became the opposition leader.
The governor was the Queen's representative as Head of State, with primarily ceremonial functions, while Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Head of Government, with Executive power over the state. Ghana belonged to the Commonwealth of Nations and was active in the global family of nations.
Three years later, on July 1, 1960, the country gained political independence. Ghana gained independence. On this day, then-Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah was sworn in as Ghana's first president.
However, Kwame Nkrumah was deposed in 1966 by a military coup led by Kotoka, and the 1st Republic came to an end.
Ghana has had the First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic, and Fourth Republic. Each had its own Constitution, which was unique. In any of the Constitutions, there is no single continuum. Each was a distinct epoch. A new constitution was established when constitutional rule was restored following each military intervention.
The Constitution of 1960 was never reinstated. In fact, it was repealed in 1969. The former did not guarantee fundamental human rights, whereas the latter was a liberty charter.
The first of July was declared a public holiday, and all citizens were encouraged to reflect on the country's political achievements. This holiday commemorates Ghana's independence as a republic on July 1, 1960.
The Republic Day of July 1 is no longer a public holiday as a result of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-assent Addo's to the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act 2019.
Republic Day has also become Senior Citizens' Day, a day to recognize senior citizens' efforts and contributions to modern Ghana.
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