First Republic of Ghana (1960–1966): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox country|name=Republic of Ghana|image_flag=Flag of Ghana.png|image_coat=Coat of arms of Ghana.png|capital=Accra|largest_city=capital|mode_of_production=[[Socialism]]|government_type=Unitary one-party presidential republic|leader_title1=President|leader_name1=[[Kwame Nkrumah]]|leader_title2=Speaker of Parliament|leader_name2=[[Kofi Asante Ofori-Atta]]|year_start=1960|year_end=1966|image_flag2=Flag of Ghana (1964–1966).png|flag_caption=Top: [[Flag of Ghana|Flag]]<br>(1960-1964)<br>Bottom: [[Flag of Ghana|Flag]]<br>(1964–66)|national_motto="Freedom and Justice"|national_anthem="God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"|image_map=Ghana orthographic projection.png|map_width=300|official_languages=[[English]]|demonym=Ghanaian|legislature=[[Parliament of Ghana]]|currency=1960-1965:<br>[[Ghanaian pound]]<br>1965-1966:<br>[[Ghanaian Cedi]]|p1=Dominion of Ghana|s1=Republic of Ghana|flag_p1=Flag of Ghana.png|flag_s1=Flag of Ghana.png}} | {{Infobox country|name=Republic of Ghana|image_flag=Flag of Ghana.png|image_coat=Coat of arms of Ghana.png|capital=Accra|largest_city=capital|mode_of_production=[[Socialism]]|government_type=Unitary one-party presidential republic|leader_title1=President|leader_name1=[[Kwame Nkrumah]]|leader_title2=Speaker of Parliament|leader_name2=[[Kofi Asante Ofori-Atta]]|leader_title3=Chief Justice|leader_name3=Julius Sarkodee-Addo|year_start=1960|year_end=1966|image_flag2=Flag of Ghana (1964–1966).png|flag_caption=Top: [[Flag of Ghana|Flag]]<br>(1960-1964)<br>Bottom: [[Flag of Ghana|Flag]]<br>(1964–66)|national_motto="Freedom and Justice"|national_anthem="God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"|image_map=Ghana orthographic projection.png|map_width=300|official_languages=[[English]]|demonym=Ghanaian|legislature=[[Parliament of Ghana]]|currency=1960-1965:<br>[[Ghanaian pound]]<br>1965-1966:<br>[[Ghanaian Cedi]]|p1=Dominion of Ghana|s1=Republic of Ghana|flag_p1=Flag of Ghana.png|flag_s1=Flag of Ghana.png}} | ||
The '''First Republic of Ghana''', officially known at the time of its existence as the '''Republic of Ghana''', was a [[socialist state]] in [[West Africa]] from 1960 to 1966 established via popular referendum after the masses voted to end the [[Dominion of Ghana]] by transforming Ghana into a Presidential Republic. In the aftermath of the referendum, former Prime Minister [[Kwame Nkrumah]] would become the first President of Ghana. The Republic of Ghana was the first African nation south of the Sahara to obtain independence, and due to the successes of Nkrumah's socialist policies while in power, Ghana became a model-state for African independence movements and a hub for Pan-African philosophy. | The '''First Republic of Ghana''', officially known at the time of its existence as the '''Republic of Ghana''', was a [[socialist state]] in [[West Africa]] from 1960 to 1966 established via popular referendum after the masses voted to end the [[Dominion of Ghana]] by transforming Ghana into a Presidential Republic. In the aftermath of the referendum, former Prime Minister [[Kwame Nkrumah]] would become the first President of Ghana. The Republic of Ghana was the first African nation south of the Sahara to obtain independence, and due to the successes of Nkrumah's socialist policies while in power, Ghana became a model-state for African independence movements and a hub for Pan-African philosophy. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
=== 1960 constitutional referendum === | |||
In the aftermath of the 1960 constitutional referendum, the Ghanaian electorate voted 88.47% in favor of the creation of the Republic of Ghana, thus officially abolishing the monarchy.<ref>[https://africanelections.tripod.com/gh.html#1960_Plebiscite African Elections Database]</ref> Prior to this development, Ghana was a formally independent British Dominion and the British Monarchy remained its head of state. | |||
== Government == | == Government == | ||
Revision as of 01:34, 8 May 2023
| Republic of Ghana | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960–1966 | |||||||||
Motto: "Freedom and Justice" | |||||||||
Anthem: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| Capital and largest city | Accra | ||||||||
| Official languages | English | ||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Ghanaian | ||||||||
| Dominant mode of production | Socialism | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary one-party presidential republic | ||||||||
• President | Kwame Nkrumah | ||||||||
• Speaker of Parliament | Kofi Asante Ofori-Atta | ||||||||
• Chief Justice | Julius Sarkodee-Addo | ||||||||
| Legislature | Parliament of Ghana | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | 1960 | ||||||||
• Dissolution | 1966 | ||||||||
| Currency | 1960-1965: Ghanaian pound 1965-1966: Ghanaian Cedi | ||||||||
| |||||||||
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The First Republic of Ghana, officially known at the time of its existence as the Republic of Ghana, was a socialist state in West Africa from 1960 to 1966 established via popular referendum after the masses voted to end the Dominion of Ghana by transforming Ghana into a Presidential Republic. In the aftermath of the referendum, former Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah would become the first President of Ghana. The Republic of Ghana was the first African nation south of the Sahara to obtain independence, and due to the successes of Nkrumah's socialist policies while in power, Ghana became a model-state for African independence movements and a hub for Pan-African philosophy.
History
1960 constitutional referendum
In the aftermath of the 1960 constitutional referendum, the Ghanaian electorate voted 88.47% in favor of the creation of the Republic of Ghana, thus officially abolishing the monarchy.[1] Prior to this development, Ghana was a formally independent British Dominion and the British Monarchy remained its head of state.
Government
Houses of Chiefs
For each region of Ghana, leaders of of the country's traditional communities are automatically appointed to a House of Chiefs. Houses of Chiefs are divided into a plethora of Traditional Councils consisting of specific tribes, and act as advisory boards to the government on matters effecting them.[2]
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Ghana was the highest court in the republic, and had original jurisdiction on all matters in which the enactment of policy was considered in excess of the powers granted by the National Assembly of Constitution of Ghana. Judges of the court were appointed by the President and were required to retire upon reaching the age of 65 years.[2]
National Assembly
The National Assembly was the unicameral legislature of the of Ghana and was elected following the its dissolution by the President if a new assembly wasn't elected within a period of 5 years. The parliament was responsible for electing the President of Ghana and its speaker, who was the presiding officer of the National Assembly. According to the 1960 constitution of Ghana, the National Assembly could consist of no less than 100 delegates.[2]
President of Ghana
The Presidency of Ghana lacked strict term limits as new presidential elections were only required on the event of the President's resignation, death or dissolution of parliament after its 5 year expiration date. As described in the constitution, the President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has the power to appoint and dismiss cabinet members and can pass/veto legislation.[2]
1964 constitutional amendment
In 1964, the constitution was amended through national referendum, declaring the Convention People's Party the sole legal political party in the country and gave the Presidency the power to remove judges from office.[3] The result of the referendum was a 99.91% approval of the reform by Ghana's electorate.[4]