Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP: What Happened in Ghana on 5th March 1957, a Day Before Freedom?
The final hours before Ghana’s independence were filled with excitement, anticipation, and patriotic celebrations as the nation prepared to break free from colonial rule.
- Thousands of Ghanaians assembled in Accra, chanting "Freedom!"
- The Union Jack was set to be lowered
- Streets across Ghana were filled with drumming, dancing, and patriotic songs
On the night of 5th March 1957, Ghana stood on the brink of history. The air was thick with anticipation as the people of the Gold Coast prepared to witness the birth of their nation.
It was the final night before independence, a moment that had been fought for through decades of activism, resistance, and negotiation.
The streets of Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, and other major towns were filled with excitement. People gathered in large numbers, waving banners and singing patriotic songs.
Market squares, churches, and public spaces were buzzing with discussions about the future of the country.
Across the nation, radios were tuned in, waiting for the big announcement that would come at midnight.
At the Old Polo Grounds in Accra, a massive crowd had assembled, eagerly awaiting the historic declaration by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the face of Ghana’s independence movement.
Nkrumah, who had endured imprisonment and political struggles, was now set to fulfill his dream of leading Ghana to self-rule.
British officials were making final arrangements for the transfer of power. The Union Jack, which had flown over the Gold Coast for over a century, was set to be lowered for the last time.
Meanwhile, security was tight, as colonial authorities remained cautious about possible unrest.
As the night progressed, cultural performances and speeches kept the crowd energized. The energy was electric, with drumming, dancing, and chants of “Freedom! Freedom!” echoing through the air. The people knew that their long struggle against colonial rule was finally paying off.
At exactly midnight on 6th March 1957, the long-awaited moment arrived. Kwame Nkrumah took to the stage and, with his voice filled with emotion, declared:
“At long last, the battle has ended! And thus, Ghana, your beloved country, is free forever!”
The crowd erupted in jubilation. Fireworks lit up the sky, and the new Ghanaian flag—red, gold, green, with a black star—was hoisted, replacing the British flag. Ghana had officially become the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence.
The events of 5th March 1957 were a buildup to this historic occasion—a night of joy, reflection, and national unity. It was the final chapter of colonial rule and the dawn of a new era for Ghana.
