Republic of ghana in africa, ghana ranks 24th by size out of 54 countries, 14th by population and th by population density. Claridge, whose monumental history of the gold coast and ashanti is not likely to be superseded. The united states and ghana share a long history of promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. A highly accessible, easy to use app version of the constitution of ghana the supreme law of the republic of ghana. Shalom broadcasting network sbn tv a christian satellite channel operationalized by the ghana baptist convention, is devoted to the mission of propagating the solid and unadulterated word of god to 27 countries in west, east and parts of central africa. Ghana is a unitary republic with an executive presidency and a multiparty political system.
This is not the place to go into the history of the right of the c or of its. On july 1, 1960, it became a republic, the first of four civilian republics that were interspersed with periods of military rule. The constitution of the republic of the republic of ghana 1992 1. This day marks the coming into effect of the 1992 constitution and the birth of the fourth republic on this day in 1993. The 1946 constitution required the legislative council to have an african majority. The ghana constitution order in council, 957 1 strat. Modernday ghana was formed when the britishadministered part of togoland voted to join the gold coast in an independent state, in a unsupervised plebiscite in may 1956. Ghana approves a republican constitution with nkrumah as president. In 1482 the first european fort was established by the portuguese at elmina. Constitutional history of ghana brief political history modern ghana, formerly know as the gold coast, was the first country in subsaharan to gain political independence from colonial rule in 1956. Ghana 1st time online late december 2000, and updated since 2001. Act 527 constitution of the republic of ghana amendment act, 1996. Amendments to the constitution in 1960 transformed ghana into a republic under a president and set up one party state.
The 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana that came into effect on. Constitution of the republic of ghana 1992, as amended to 1996. In 1960 ghana became a republic, with nkrumah as president, and in 1964 a oneparty state, the cpp being. Constitution of ghana wikisource, the free online library. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about ghanas geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. Ghana attained independence from colonial british rule on march 6, 1957. One chief weakness observed is that the constitution makes the executive president too powerful without t. The 1979 constitution was modeled on those of western democracies. When was the 1992 constitution of ghana written answers. This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the comparative constitutions project, and distributed on.
Ghana history, language and culture world travel guide. What are the features of the constitution of ghana answers. It defines the fundamental political principles, establishing the structure, procedures, powers and duties of the government, structure of the judiciary and legislature, and spells out the fundamental rights and duties of citizens. The cedi is introduced as a unit of currency, replacing the ghana pound. Jan 07, 2020 constitution day is a statutory public holiday in ghana, observed on the 7th of january. Though i have gone direct to many of the sources which dr.
It was controlled by sundiata in 1240 ad, and absorbed into the larger mali empire. In the context of ghanas legal history, even presentday british decisions on issues unaffected by statute may be cited, at least, as persuasive authority. What is the brief history on the first republic constitution. To win political power through democratic means in order to pursue the partys agenda as provided. It was approved on 28 april 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support.
More information about ghana is available on the ghana page and from other department of state publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. Ghana becomes a oneparty state, with the cpp as the sole political party. The role of chieftaincy in ghana iarticle 277 of the 1992 constitution of ghana defines a chief as a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed as a chief or queen mother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage. In 1957, when ghana achieved full political independence the constitution was fashioned after the westminster model. On january 7, 1993, the fourth republic was inaugurated, complete with a new constitution. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval west african ghana empire. If thats not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. Below is the 1992 constitution of the r epublic of ghana, arranged by chapters. This was a key theme in the early history of ghanas independence. A highly accessible, easy to use app version of the ghana constitution 1992 rev. A welladministered country by regional standards, ghana is often seen as a model for political and economic reform in africa. List of books and articles about ghana history online.
Ghana relations the united states established diplomatic relations with ghana in 1957, following ghanas independence from the united kingdom. The national legislature is the unicameral parliament, whose 275 members are elected by universal adult suffrage every four years. Ghana baptist convention the largest baptist denomination. The empire became known in europe and arabia as the ghana empire after the title of its emperor, the ghana. The aftermath of asante or sagrenti war of 1874 which led to the landmark introduction of the gold coast constitution of 1874 and the annexation of the asante kingdom to become a british protectorate in 1885, can hardly be overlooked by history enthusiasts and constitutional lawyers. The three colors of the flag red, green, and black and the black star in the middle are all symbolic of the panafricanist movement. Below is the 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana, arranged by chapters. Following civic disturbances in 1948, the uk agreed that a committee consisting. A reduced kingdom continued to exist after almoravid rule ended, and the kingdom was later incorporated.
There is a broadly based council of state with deliberative and advisory functions as well as a unicameral. For news about ghana, see accraexpats how to guide page how to keep posted with ghana news official name. This was a key theme in the early history of ghana s independence. The gold coast republic of ghanas history 19451966 under the first prime minister and then president osagyefo dr. In 1961, ghana hosted the first cohort of peace corps. Data on ghana introduction in addition to the data below, the links at the bottom of this page will provide you with more information. And whereas the people of ghana approved the said constitution for the administration of ghana to come into force on 7th day of january, 1993. Oct 14, 2019 the three colors of the flag red, green, and black and the black star in the middle are all symbolic of the panafricanist movement.
They also lived to see the day where they made their own rules concerning the people of their country. Nana addo in one of te qualified lawyers in ghana because during the 1992 constitution of ghana he was one of the members who wrote the constitution with. Since the first republican constitution in 1960, ghana has had three other constitutions. In april 1992 a constitution allowing for a multiparty system was approved in a referendum, ushering in a period of democracy. Oct 30, 20 ghana constitution, heads of states of ghana, parliament of ghana, winfred antwi, ghana, court, ghana supremencourt. Ghana was the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval ghana empire of west africa.
The 1992 constitution provides for one parliament, which exercises all. Shalom broadcasting network sbn tv a christian satellite channel operationalized by the ghana baptist convention, is devoted to the mission of propagating the solid and unadulterated word of god to. Infoplease has everything you need to know about ghana. Supremacy of the constitution 1 the sovereignty of ghana resides in the people of ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this constitution. For some time, even outmoded british statutes which were part of the received law as statutes of general application as of july 24th, 1874, under the erstwhile supreme court. During the first half of the 20th century, there was growing national pressure for selfdetermination, and the uk gradually surrendered control. The principle of elections was introduced under the 1925 constitution.
Every one who writes on gold coast history should begin, after the fashion of the country, by pouring a libation and sacrificing a sheep in honour of dr. History early history to independence in precolonial times the area of presentday ghana comprised a number of independent kingdoms, including gonja and dagomba in the north, ashanti in the interior, and the fanti states along the coast. The 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana was approved on 28th april 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support. Relations with ghana united states department of state. A new constitution, approved on april 29, 1954, established a cabinet comprising african ministers drawn from an allafrican legislature chosen by direct election. The first legislative council elections ever to be held took place in 1925 under the guggisberg constitution. In june, 1960, ten women were elected by the national assembly to fill specially created seats.
After the founding of a republic in 1960, the state became identified with a single political party the cpp, with nkrumah, as life president of both, taking ever more power. Ghana succumbed to attacks by its neighbors in the 11th century, but its name and reputation endured. The third part of the shield shows a cacao tree, which embodies the wealth of ghana. Constitution of the ghana association of rhode island and vicinity approved by unanimous voteaugust 2003 name article 1 the name of the organization shall be the ghana association of rhode island hereinafter referred to as the association. There were freedom fighters who felt the rule of the white man was cruel. Article 2 aims and objectives the aims and objectives of the party are. After the founding of a republic in 1960, the state became identified with a single political party the cpp, with nkrumah, as life president of both, taking ever more power for himself. Ghana is a unitary state with a unicameral legislature. It provided for the separation of powers between an elected president and a unicameral parliament. Ghanas constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996. They also lived to see the day where they made their. A human rights history of ghana by abena ampofoa asare university of pennsylvania press, 2018. Ghana achieved independence within the commonwealth on 6 march 1957. This day marks the adoption of the 4th republican constitutional dispensation of ghana which started on 7th january 1993.
Ghana has set an example for countries throughout africa in promoting resilient democratic institutions, transparent and peaceful transitions of power, and regional stability. Under this arrangement the governor still retained. The 1992 constitution provides for a multiparty republic with a president as head of state and a vice president. Ghana history, language and culture history of ghana. Ghana is named after an ancient goldtrading empire that flourished in the west african interior between the 4th and 10th centuries, when the transsahara caravan route linked the region to the mediterranean via timbuktu. Sep 18, 2018 the constitution of the republic of the republic of ghana 1992 1. Constitution day is a statutory public holiday in ghana, observed on january 7th. Constitution day is a statutory public holiday in ghana, observed on the 7th of january. Modern ghana, formerly know as the gold coast, was the first country in subsaharan to gain political independence from. Ghana s constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
In 1957, when the leaders of the former british colony of the gold coast sought an appropriate name for their newly independent statethe first black african nation to gain its independence from colonial rulethey named their new country after ancient ghana. Sep 02, 2012 the gold coast republic of ghana s history 19451966 under the first prime minister and then president osagyefo dr. What were the steps taken when drawing the 1992 constitution. Whereas the said draft constitution was submitted to a national referendum held throughout ghana on the 28th april, 1992. Today in history, exactly 27 years ago, the 1992 constitution.
The fourth and last field on the lower right shows a gold mine, which stands for the richness of natural resources in ghana. The constitution of ghana is the supreme law of the republic of ghana. A new constitution, based on the us model, was approved by national referendum in april 1992. In the first elections, the cpp wins all parliamentary seats with an unchallenged slate. Ghana during the colonial period and when it achieved. Claridge used, i have based great parts of my narrative on his. The president is elected for a term of four years with the possibility of reelection for one further term by universal adult suffrage. To participate in shaping the political will of the people by disseminating information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of the party. For example, 83 of the constitution provided that the offices of the ministers should become. A chronology of key events in the history of ghana, from 1482 to the present. Nkrumah saw independent ghana as a spearhead for the liberation of the rest of africa from colonial rule and the establishment of a socialist african unity under his leadership. Since the 18th century ghana, then known as gold coast, was under the white supremacy.