User:Dbaidoo/From Colonialism to Freedom

Ghana is an African country situation on the West Coast among the West African countries colonized by the British colonial government in the 1800s. Similar to the case of other West African countries like Togo, Mali, Guinea, the people of Ghana suffered as slaves being colonized and controlled under the powers of the selfish rule of the white leaders who wanted to rule over the all of Africa. Ghana which was formerly known as the Gold Coast was rich in gold in areas such as the Axim, Obuasi, Prestea, and Tarkwa. The gold was the rich Ghana's resource that attracted most of the European traders to the shores of the West African Region. Gold and Ivory became the major commodities traded in by the Portuguese and the British Europeans who first arrived at the shores of West Africa during the 17th century. Several European Merchants who built up their Headquarters in the United Kingdom, also traded in the shores of the Gold Coast in exchange for natural commodities such as rubber, cotton, palm oil and guns. The trade in gold and Ivory later changed into trade in human beings as slaves in an exchange for money, which took over as the major commodity of trade during the 18th century. An activity which brought about colonization in the whole of African. The British Europeans took over the ruling leadership of the Gold Coast and became the dictators for all the major activities of the Gold Coast when the sovereignty of the native states were encroached. Power over Education, Finance, Agricultural activities, all were under the leadership of the British government. Freedom fighter arose for West African with the Gold Coast taking the lead to attain its freedom over Togo, Mali, and the Guinea.

Colonization and Colonialism
During the 1874, the British government led by Sir Charles McCarthy issued a proclamation for the establishment of colonies and Protestants within the Gold Coast regions. The growth of British influence on the Gold Coast started when the Military had confrontations between the Fante's and the Ashanti's leading to the signing of the Bond of 1844 to limit the British Judicial powers to the handling of second degree felony cases such as robbery and murder. The Bond also limited the British from taking up judicial rights without the consent of the chiefs, Kings, Kingmakers and the protestorates.

The Gold Coast Colony
From 1821 to 1957 when the Gold Coast attained its independence and became Ghana, it was notably one of the British crown colonies in the West African region. The four separate jurisdictions of the Gold Coast were under the British governors of the Gold Coast.

The Quest for Colonial Freedom
The African leaders became vociferous in the self-rule movement and had mounted several riots and campaigns against the British colonial rule. The United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) led by Paa Grand appointed Kwame Nkrumah as the Secretary General in the quest for freedom for the people of the Gold Coast.

The Convention People's Party (CPP) led by Kwame Nkrumah, a member of the Big Six led the struggle for Ghana's independence.

The Declaration of Freedom Forever
The declaration of "freedom forever" was made on 6th March 1957 by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah at the Independence Square a place named after the independence.

Independence Celebration from 1957
From 6th March 1957 till date, the people of Ghana have celebrated to ccassion in remembrance of the day when the independence struggles ended and when the freedom of the people was announced by the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah; "Ghana, our beloved country is free forever" The African people are capable of managing their own affairs.

Freedom and Democracy in Ghana
Till date the people of Ghana have enjoyed democracy and democratic rule and a frown on the military coupe and the regime of dictatorship from 1972 to 1980.