Dominion of Ghana: Difference between revisions
adding sentence to first para to explain that "Dominion of Ghana" was never a legal status (as is explained later) - otherwise the title of this entry is confusing by suggesting that this was the case |
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{{History of Ghana}} |
{{History of Ghana}} |
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'''Ghana''' was the first African country colonised by European powers to achieve independence under majority rule. During the first three years after independence, from 1957 to 1960, a [[Westminster system]] of government was in place and the British monarch served as Queen of Ghana and head of state. |
'''Ghana''' was the first African country colonised by European powers to achieve independence under majority rule. During the first three years after independence, from 1957 to 1960, a [[Westminster system]] of government was in place and the British monarch served as Queen of Ghana and head of state. Although the country was sometimes referred to as the Dominion of Ghana during this period, it never held the formal status of [[Dominion]] within the British Empire. |
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The country that became the independent state of Ghana was at the date of independence made up of four separate territories with different statuses in British law: the [[Gold Coast Colony]] (founded in 1821); Ashanti (a [[British protectorates|"protectorate"]] from 1896 and a [[Crown colony|"colony"]] from 1901); [[British Togoland]] (a [[UN Trust Territory]], formerly a [[League of Nations Mandate]] ); and the Northern Territories (a "protectorate").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2230.1957.tb00448.x |title= A.S. de Smith (1957) ‘The Independence of Ghana’, Modern Law Review, 20:4, 347-363}}</ref> |
The country that became the independent state of Ghana was at the date of independence made up of four separate territories with different statuses in British law: the [[Gold Coast Colony]] (founded in 1821); Ashanti (a [[British protectorates|"protectorate"]] from 1896 and a [[Crown colony|"colony"]] from 1901); [[British Togoland]] (a [[UN Trust Territory]], formerly a [[League of Nations Mandate]] ); and the Northern Territories (a "protectorate").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2230.1957.tb00448.x |title= A.S. de Smith (1957) ‘The Independence of Ghana’, Modern Law Review, 20:4, 347-363}}</ref> |
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From the date of entry into force of the [[Ghana Independence Act 1957]] on 6 March 1957 the new state of Ghana became what was in British law termed an "independent Commonwealth country". It remained "within the crown's dominions" until 1 July 1960, when it became the [[Republic of Ghana]] and the Queen ceased to be head of state. The Republic of Ghana remained within the Commonwealth, though no longer "within the crown's dominions".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/fransmans-british-nationality-law-9781845920951/|title=Fransman's British Nationality Law, catalogue entry on Ghana}}</ref> |
From the date of entry into force of the [[Ghana Independence Act 1957]] on 6 March 1957 the new state of Ghana became what was in British law termed an "independent Commonwealth country". It remained "within the crown's dominions" until 1 July 1960, when it became the [[Republic of Ghana]] and the Queen ceased to be head of state. The Republic of Ghana remained within the Commonwealth, though no longer "within the crown's dominions".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/fransmans-british-nationality-law-9781845920951/|title=Fransman's British Nationality Law, catalogue entry on Ghana}}</ref> |
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During the period from 1957 to 1960, [[Kwame Nkrumah]] held office as [[prime minister]] (and [[head of government]]). The monarch's constitutional roles as head of state were mostly delegated to the [[List of Governors-General of Ghana|Governor-General of Ghana]]. The following governors-general held office: |
During the period from 1957 to 1960, [[Kwame Nkrumah]] held office as [[prime minister]] (and [[head of government]]). The monarch's constitutional roles as head of state were mostly delegated to the [[List of Governors-General of Ghana|Governor-General of Ghana]]. The following governors-general held office: |
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#[[Charles Noble Arden-Clarke]] (6 March – 24 June 1957) |
#[[Charles Noble Arden-Clarke]] (6 March – 24 June 1957) |
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Revision as of 15:42, 7 April 2022
Ghana | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957–1960 | |||||||||
| Motto: "Freedom and Justice" | |||||||||
| Anthem: God Bless Our Homeland Ghana | |||||||||
.svg) | |||||||||
| Capital | Accra | ||||||||
| Government | Constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
| Queen | |||||||||
• 1957–1960 | Elizabeth II | ||||||||
| Governor-General | |||||||||
• 1957 | Charles Noble Arden-Clarke | ||||||||
• 1957–1960 | Lord Listowel | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1957–1960 | Kwame Nkrumah | ||||||||
| Legislature | National Assembly | ||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
| 6 March 1957 | |||||||||
• Republic | 1 July 1960 | ||||||||
| Currency | BWA pound (1957–1958) Ghanaian pound (1958–1965) | ||||||||
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| History of Ghana |
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| Timeline |
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| By topic |
 Africa portal |
Ghana was the first African country colonised by European powers to achieve independence under majority rule. During the first three years after independence, from 1957 to 1960, a Westminster system of government was in place and the British monarch served as Queen of Ghana and head of state. Although the country was sometimes referred to as the Dominion of Ghana during this period, it never held the formal status of Dominion within the British Empire.
The country that became the independent state of Ghana was at the date of independence made up of four separate territories with different statuses in British law: the Gold Coast Colony (founded in 1821); Ashanti (a "protectorate" from 1896 and a "colony" from 1901); British Togoland (a UN Trust Territory, formerly a League of Nations Mandate ); and the Northern Territories (a "protectorate").[1]
Within the legal regime established by the British Nationality Act 1948 (entry into force, 1 January 1949), and related legislation, all British colonies were deemed under United Kingdom law to be "within the crown's dominions". This status continued after independence within the Commonwealth, so long as the new state continued to recognise the British monarch as head of state.[2]
From the date of entry into force of the Ghana Independence Act 1957 on 6 March 1957 the new state of Ghana became what was in British law termed an "independent Commonwealth country". It remained "within the crown's dominions" until 1 July 1960, when it became the Republic of Ghana and the Queen ceased to be head of state. The Republic of Ghana remained within the Commonwealth, though no longer "within the crown's dominions".[3]
During the period from 1957 to 1960, Kwame Nkrumah held office as prime minister (and head of government). The monarch's constitutional roles as head of state were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Ghana. The following governors-general held office:
- Charles Noble Arden-Clarke (6 March – 24 June 1957)
- William Francis Hare, 5th Earl of Listowel (24 June 1957 – 1 July 1960)
Following the creation of a republic by the 1960 Ghanaian constitutional referendum, Nkrumah won the presidential election and became the first President of Ghana.
Ghana never held the legal status of "Dominion" within the British Empire, a status given to self-governing colonies (given legislative independence by the Statute of Westminster 1931), including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa; as well as India and Pakistan from 15 August 1947, one month after their independence, and Ceylon for a few months of 1948. The status of Dominion ceased to exist in its previous form from 1949, as the former Dominions became "independent Commonwealth countries"; however, the term continued to be used for thirty years, and Nkrumah demanded Dominion status for the Gold Coast in 1951, as one stage in the negotiations for independence.[4]
References
- ^ "A.S. de Smith (1957) 'The Independence of Ghana', Modern Law Review, 20:4, 347-363".
- ^ "Fransman's British Nationality Law, chapter 3.3".
- ^ "Fransman's British Nationality Law, catalogue entry on Ghana".
- ^ "W. David McIntyre (1999) 'The Strange Death of Dominion Status', The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, 27:2, 193-212".
External links
- "Ghana: Polity Style: 1957-2017". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Ghana: Heads of State: 1957-1960". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Ghana: Governors-General: 1957-1960". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OF GHANA" (PDF). Francisbennion.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- States and territories established in 1957
- States and territories disestablished in 1960
- Former Commonwealth realms
- Ghana and the Commonwealth of Nations
- Ghanaian monarchy
- Ghana–United Kingdom relations
- Government of Ghana
- Politics of Ghana
- 1957 establishments in Ghana
- 1960 disestablishments in Ghana
- Former countries of the Cold War