BEAUTIFUL AFRICA
Welcome to Klever Magg’s Beautiful Africa series.
In this series, we will bring you facts about all African countries.
Many years ago colonialists came to Africa.
Colonialists were foreign people that came to rule Africa in the past.
They took gold and diamonds out of Africa. They carried our forefathers and foremothers away as slaves.
There was much pain in Africa.
And yet, after many, many years of suffering, Africa is still here!
The Golden Hills still roll in Kenya,
The Perfect Pyramids still rise defiantly in Egypt,
The Kingly Kente is still spun in Ghana,
Mount Kilimanjaro still reigns supreme in Tanzania,
The Zulus still roar like a lion in South Africa,
The Sahara Desert still stuns the world with its majestic fury…
Yes, Africa is still here!
But then, wait a second! How well do you really know Africa?
Not much, hmm? Alright, don’t worry. Just stay here, and we will tell you all about Africa.
In the first chapter of the series, we begin our African story with GLORIOUS GHANA.
Chapter Feature
GLORIOUS GHANA
Former Name
Gold Coast
Location
Ghana is a West African country.
Meaning
Ghana means Warrior King.
Neighbours
Three countries are on the borders of Ghana;
Cote d’Ivoire is on the West [left side] of Ghana,
Burkina Faso is in the North [on top] of Ghana,
Togo is on the East [right side] of Ghana,
whilst the Gulf of Guinea, the great sea, is on the Southern [down or below] side of Ghana.
Demonym
The people of Ghana are known as Ghanaians.
Ghana’s First President
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah
Ghana Flag
The Flag of Ghana has three colours:
Red, Gold and Green … and has a lovely black star in the middle.
The flag was designed by a woman named Mrs. Theodosia Okoh.
It was based on the Ethiopian flag. After Independence permission was asked from Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia if Ghana could use the colours of the Ethiopian flag, and the Emperor said yes, but only if the order of the colours were changed. Thus whilst the Ethiopian flag had Green, Gold and Red, Ghana reversed the colours to Red, Gold and Green.
The Red in the flag represents the blood of those Ghanaians who died in the struggle for Ghana’s independence.
The Gold [yellow] represents the mineral wealth of Ghana [gold, diamonds, bauxite etc.]
The Green symbolises Ghana’s rich forests and natural wealth.
Finally, the Black Star in the middle represents African freedom, the beautiful black race, and the free and proud black spirit that runs through the people and unites them.
The Coat of Arms
Ghana’s Coat of Arms, an official emblem, was designed by Mr. Amon Kotei. It was adopted and displayed on 4th March 1957 by Queen Elizabeth II.
Motto
The official Ghanaian motto is “Freedom and Justice”
Anthem
The Ghanaian Anthem is “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana” and it was originally written and composed by Mr. Philip Comi Gbeho and adopted after Independence.
However, in 1970, a National Competition was organized for new lyrics for the National Anthem. The competition was won by Mr. Michael Gbordzoe.
This means that although the rhythm, style and tone of Mr. Gbeho’s composition were maintained, the current lyrics [words] of the National Anthem were that of Mr. Gbordzoe.
The National Pledge
The National Pledge was introduced by the National Redemption Council [NRC] of Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in 1973. This was aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism, pride, dedication and commitment into Ghanaians.
So far, I haven’t been able to find out who wrote this great Pledge, so if anybody knows, let me know!
Independence
Ghana gained Independence from Britain on 6th March 1957, the first Sub-Saharan country to gain independence.
Ghana was declared a Republic on 1st July 1960.
Currency
The official currency of Ghana is the Ghana Cedi.
Regions
Ghana is divided into 16 Regions
| # | Region | Capital |
| 1 | Ashanti | Kumasi |
| 2 | Brong Ahafo | Sunyani |
| 3 | Central | Cape Coast |
| 4 | Eastern | Koforidua |
| 5 | Greater Accra | Accra |
| 6 | Northern | Tamale |
| 7 | Upper East | Bolgatanga |
| 8 | Upper West | Wa |
| 9 | Volta | Ho |
| 10 | Western | Sekondi-Takoradi |
| 11 | Savannah | Damongo |
| 12 | Bono East | Techiman |
| 13 | Oti | Dambai |
| 14 | Ahafo | Goaso |
| 15 | Western North | Sefwi Wiawso |
| 16 | North East | Nalerigu |
Capital
The capital city of Ghana is Accra, and it is also the largest city in Ghana.
Cape Coast, however, used to be the Capital. The British changed the capital city from Cape Coast to Accra between 1877 and 1957, when Ghana was called the Gold Coast.
This was because Accra had a drier climate and was free of tsetse flies.
After independence, Accra was again confirmed as the Capital of Ghana.
Religion
Christianity is the largest religion in Ghana. Islam is the second-largest. A smaller section of Ghanaians practice various forms of traditional religions.
In 2012, a global poll showed that Ghana is the most religious country.
Past Presidents/Heads of State
| Name | Period | Republic |
| Osagyefo
Dr Kwame Nkrumah |
6 March 1957 to
24 February 1966 |
1st & 2nd |
| Joseph Ankrah | 24 February 1966 to
2 April 1969 |
2nd |
| Akwasi Afrifa | 2 April 1969 to
7 August 1970 |
2nd |
| Nii Amaa Ollennu | 7 August 1970 to
31 August 1970 |
2nd |
| Edward Akufo-Addo | 31 August 1970 to
13 January 1972 |
2nd |
| Kofi Abrefa Busia | 1 October 1969 to
13 January 1972 |
2nd |
| Ignatius Kutu Acheampong | 13 January 1972 to
5 July 1978 |
2nd |
| Fred Akuffo | 5 July 1978 to
4 June 1979 |
2nd |
| Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings | 4 June 1979 to
24 September 1979 |
3rd |
| Dr Hilla Limann | 24 September 1979 to
31 December 1981 |
3rd |
| Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings | 31 December 1981 to
7 January 2001 |
3rd & 4th |
| John Agyekum Kufour | 7 January 2001 to
7 January 2009 |
4th |
| Evans John Atta Mills | 7 January 2009 to
24 July 2012 |
4th |
| John Dramani Mahama | 24 July 2012 to
7 January 2017 |
4th |
| Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo | 7 January 2017 to
7 January 2024 |
4th |
| John Dramani Mahama | 7 January 2025 – | 4th |
Republics in Ghana
A republic is a government ruled by people who are chosen through an election by the citizens of a country. Below are the republics in Ghana.
| Republic | Period |
| First Republic | 1960–1966 |
| Second Republic | 1969–1972 |
| Third Republic | 1979–1981 |
| Fourth Republic | 1993–present |
Military Rule in Ghana
| Rule | Period |
| Military rule | 1966–1969 |
| Military rule | 1972–1979 |
| Military rule | 1981–1993 |
Other Interesting Facts
- Ghana used to be the largest cocoa producer in the world.
- Lake Volta in Ghana is the world’s largest artificial lake.
- Ghana means Warrior King. It was the title given to ancient kings in the old Ghana Empire.
- The name Ghana was adopted after Ghana gained Independence on 6th March, 1957.
- The Akans were among the first states to settle in Ghana under the name Bonoman. It is from this that the Brong-Ahafo Region got its name.
- The Portuguese were the first Europeans to land in Ghana in the 15th Century. They came for Ghana’s rich gold deposits. They landed on the coast and named it Elmina. Their king, John II, commissioned a man named Diogo d’Azambuja to build the Elmina Castle in 1481. It was completed in 3 years.
- The Dutch, Danes, Swedes and English also joined the Portuguese in Ghana. The English merchants were so impressed by the rich deposits of Gold in Ghana that they named it the Gold Coast.
- Many Ghanaians were carried away as slaves during this period, and much of Ghana’s gold was taken away by these invading Europeans.
- For many years, the Gold Coast was known as ‘The White Man’s Grave’ because many of the European merchants who came to the Gold Coast died from malaria and other tropical diseases.
- In 1874, when the Dutch and other Europeans withdrew from the Gold Coast, the British made it a Protectorate. This means that the British protected the Gold Coast from other European countries, and fully colonised or ruled the Gold Coast from then on.
- Many of the states in the Gold Coast fought against the British occupation. The Ashantis in particular engaged in many wars with the British, but they eventually lost the war in the great Ashanti-British war in the 1900s.
- After the Second World War, the United Gold Coast Convention [UGCC] was formed in 1947, led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. They started fighting the British for Ghana’s independence. In 1948, there was a great rioting in Ghana, and many leading members of the UGCC were arrested.
- Dr Kwame Nkrumah later formed the Convention People’s Party [CPP]. His motto was ‘Self-Governance Now’. He urged people to go on strikes, boycotts and other civil disobedience. He was imprisoned several times.
- In 1952, Dr Nkrumah was released from prison and was appointed Leader of Government Business.
- After several negotiations with the British, they finally agreed to leave the Gold Coast and stop colonialism.
- On 6th March, 1957 at 12.00 a.m. Dr Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana ‘free forever’ after it gained Independence from British rule.
- Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian, was the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
- RSM Alhaji Grunshi, of the Gold Regiment, a military unit under the British service, was the first soldier to fire a shot in the First World War.
RSM Alhaji Grunshi
That’s all for the first chapter of the Beautiful Africa Series.
Now a little exercise for you all.
Our next chapter in the Beautiful Africa Series will feature Nigeria.
First, find an adjective that starts with N for the word Nigeria.
Then, write an article on Nigeria using the template for Glorious Ghana.
Finally, submit your article with your name, age, and any other information you would like us to know about you to theklevermagg@gmail.com
The best article will be published with the writer’s name and picture (if wanted).
Parents, get your wards active with this exercise.
Remember reading and writing give power for life.
#readforlifefoundation
promoting reading, writing and youth development
