Independence Square

Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, is a public square in Accra, bordered by the Accra Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.  The square hosts the annual independence celebrations as well as other national events.  It is currently the site for all civic and military parades in Ghana.  It was completed in 1961, which coincided with the Queen’s famous state visit to Ghana when the first parade was held here. The Black Star Square is sited between The 28th of February Road and The Accra’s Southern Coastline.  In 1957, Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) became the first prime minister and president of Gold Coast, when Ghana achieved independence.  He commissioned the construction of the square to celebrate this.  It was named Black Star Square.  On the 6 March every year, the square hosts Ghana’s Independence Day parade. 

Black Star Gate is an arch with a black star above it, adorned with the words: ‘Freedom and Justice’.  It is surrounded by a circular park.  On the south side of the square is Independence Arch.  The square has stands to hold 30,000 spectators.