Black Star Square
Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, is a public square in Accra, Ghana, bordered by the Accra Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. The square often 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 the year 1961, which coincided with the state visit of Queen Elizabeth's II to Ghana. The Black Star Square is sited between The 28th February Road and The Accra's Southern Coastline. History. In 1957, Kwame Nkrumah became  the first prime minister and president of Gold Coast, now Ghana after gaining independence from the British. Kwame Nkrumah commissioned the construction of the square to celebrate the nation's independence. It coincided with the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. Construction ended in 1961, and it was named Black Star Square. Kwame Nkrumah was the one who led Ghana, formerly Gold Coast to gain Independence from Britain. Importance. Black Star Square is a site for Ghana's Independence Day parade, which falls on the 6th of March every year. A particularly notable parade was the Golden Jubilee, which was Ghana 's 50th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule. The Golden Jubilee celebration occurred on March 6, 2007 and it was led by President John Kuffour. It also hosts all major national public gatherings and national festivals. Every visitor is free to take pictures of buildings, including the Black Star Gate. Structure. In Independence Square are stands that can seat 30,000 people. The square boasts three monuments that encapsulate the fight for independence and liberation. This includes the Independence Arch, the Liberation Day Monument, and the Black Star Monument, also known as the Black Star Gate. A statue of a  soldier facing the Independence Arch symbolizes the Ghanaians who lost their lives fighting for Ghana's independence.