{{Short description|Square in Ghana}} {{Infobox monument | name = Black Star Square | native_name = Independence Square | native_name_lang = en | image = Independence Square, Accra, Ghana.JPG | image_size = 300px | caption = Aerial view of Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana | coordinates = {{coord|5.5476|-0.1926|display=inline,title|type:landmark}} | relief = yes | location = Independence Avenue, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana | designer = Theo Lawson (commissioned by Kwame Nkrumah) | type = Public square / national monument | material = Concrete and stone | dedicated_to = Ghanaian independence }}
'''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, and is the site for all civic and military parades and other national gatherings. It was completed in 1961, in time for the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/black-star-square|title=Black Star Square|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>
== History ==
In 1957, Kwame Nkrumah became the first prime minister and president of Gold Coast,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jatta |first=Musa |title=Research Guides: Kwame Nkrumah Resource Guide: Kwame Nkrumah Biography |url=https://libguides.nypl.org/kwamenkrumah/biography |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=libguides.nypl.org |language=en}}</ref> now Ghana, after gaining independence from the British. Kwame Nkrumah commissioned the construction of the square to celebrate the nation's independence. The square was designed by a renowned Ghanaian architect Theo Lawson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jorge |date=2024-03-09 |title=Exploring the Iconic Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana |url=https://www.tourhq.com/article/exploring-the-iconic-black-star-square-in-accra-ghana |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=www.tourhq.com |language=en}}</ref> The construction of the square coincided with the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. Construction ended in 1961, and it was named Black Star Square.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghana Salutes Queen Elizabeth|work=New York Times|date=Nov 19, 1961|id={{ProQuest|115275130}}}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit Ghana {{!}} Independence Square|url=https://visitghana.com/attractions/independence-square-1/|access-date=2020-08-11|website=Visit Ghana|language=en-US}}</ref> Kwame Nkrumah was the one who led Ghana, formerly Gold Coast, to gain independence from Britain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/black-star-square|title=Black Star Square|website=Atlas Obscura|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>
== Importance ==
Black Star Square is a site for Ghana's Independence Day parade, which falls on 6 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.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lentz|first=Carola|date=2013-09-16|title=Ghana@50. Celebrating the Nation. Debating the Nation|journal=Cahiers d'études africaines|language=en|volume=53|issue=211|pages=519–546|doi=10.4000/etudesafricaines.17405|issn=0008-0055|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ghana-independence-celebration-idUSL0146677420070306|title=Ghana celebrates 50 years that changed Africa|date=2007-03-06|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-11-12|language=en}}</ref> It also hosts all major national public gatherings and national festivals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Star Gate |url=http://ghana-net.com/black-star-gate.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=NO CoVax Ghana-Net.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Structure ==
In Independence Square there 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 Gate, also known as the Black Star Monument. Also the origin of the blackstar signifying black hope was brought to light by doctor Kwame Nkrumah due to Marcus Garvey's shipping line known as the black star line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tourghananow.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-black-star-square.html|title=TOURING ACCRA: THE BLACK STAR SQUARE|last=Unknown|date=2013-10-15|website=TOURING ACCRA|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref> A statue of a soldier facing the Independence Arch symbolizes the Ghanaians who lost their lives fighting for Ghana's independence.
== Major events == The state funerals for presidents John Atta Mills<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19204106|title=Funeral held for Ghana president|date=2012-08-10|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref> and Jerry Rawlings,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-01-27|title=Rawlings funeral: Ghanaians bid farewell to ex-president|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55826051|access-date=2021-01-29}}</ref> and for vice-president Aliu Mahama,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-11-18|title=Hundreds attend Aliu Mahama's funeral in Accra|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=256773|access-date=2021-01-29|website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref> were held at the square. On March 24, 1998, over 500,000 people gathered at the square to welcome former U.S. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. This was the first visit to Ghana by a U.S. president.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The History of Ghana|last=Gocking |first=Roger S.|date=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1282417908|oclc=732281154}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Black Star Monument, Accra, Ghana.JPG|Front view of the Black Star Gate monument at Black Star Square File:Black Star Square in Ghana.jpg|Wide view of Black Star Square showing the plaza and monuments File:Black Star Square and Independence Arch, Accra, Ghana.jpg|View of Independence Arch with Black Star Square in the foreground Black Star Square 01.jpg|Another perspective of Black Star Square, Accra File:Dag Heward-Mills, UD-OLGC, Good Friday Service, Independence Square (Black Star Square) Ghana.jpg|People gathered at Black Star Square, Accra </gallery>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Independence Square (Ghana)}}
Category:Squares in Ghana Category:National squares Category:Geography of Accra Category:Kwame Nkrumah Category:1961 establishments in Ghana