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Ghana Celebrates 50 Year of Independent that Changed Africa

Ghana`s President John Kufuor celebrated with his citizens 50 years of Independence, last week, independence that forever changed the face of Africa. Acca, Ghana`s capitol`s, Independence Square was transformed into a sea of colors, as thousands of Ghanaians waved Ghana`s tri-color flag in celebration of March 6 1957, the day Ghana was freed from British colonial rule.

The former colony residing on the West-African Gold Coast was the first Sub-Saharan African nation to obtain independence, under the leadership of charismatic Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana`s independence unleashed a wave of African independence movements that forever changed Africa. From a continent dominated by European nations Africa became a group of newly freed nations. Leaders of many African nations, as well as, African-American notables came to participate in the celebrations. The Duke of Kent came to represent Queen Elisabeth. While many celebrated Ghana`s independence and status as one of Africa`s most stable democracies others said that much needed to be done to achieve the goals set by the country`s founder, Nkrumah. "To realize Nkrumah`s dream, we need to be constantly asking the question: `Are we really free?`" Nicole Amateifio, a university student who joined celebrations outside Nkrumah`s mausoleum early Tuesday.

President Kufuor said he understood why many of Ghana`s citizens were leaving the continent plagued by poverty, conflict, disease and poor governance. But he said that he felt optimistic regarding Africa making progress. At a ceremony enlivened by flag-waving children and a fly-by by helicopters, jets and a bomber trailing smoke in the national colors, Kufuor promised those who stayed "will find that what we achieve together here will be far more fulfilling and satisfying than anything you can do elsewhere in the world."