{{Short description|Landmark in Accra, Ghana}} {{hatnote group|{{about||the proposed arch in the United States|United States Triumphal Arch}} {{Distinguish|Independence Gate}} }} {{Infobox monument |name=Independence Arch |native_name= |native_name_lang= |image=Independence Arch Accra Ghana.jpg |image_size=300px |caption=The Independence Arch at Black Star Square, Accra |location=Black Star Square, Accra, Ghana |coordinates={{coord|5.5465|-0.1924|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:GH}} |designer=Ghana Public Works Department |type=Triumphal arch |material=Concrete and stone |dedicated_to=Ghana’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 |complete=1961 |inaugurated=6 March 1961 }} The '''Independence Arch''' is a national monument located at Black Star Square (also known as Independence Square) in Accra, the capital of Ghana. It forms part of a complex of monuments commemorating the country's independence from British colonial rule in 1957. The Arch, alongside the Black Star Gate and the Liberation Day Monument forms part of the greater independence square.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Square and Arch |url=https://www.citylifeaccra.com/things-to-do-accra-listings/independence-square-and-arch |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=City Life Accra |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="ghanaexp">{{Cite web |title=Independence Arch |url=http://www.ghanaexpeditions.com/regions/highlight_detail.asp?id=&rdid=19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402134732/http://www.ghanaexpeditions.com/regions/highlight_detail.asp?id=&rdid=19 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Ghana Expeditions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Arch Accra {{!}} Black Star Square Accra |url=https://www.thepelicanhotel.com/blog/independence-arch-accra-a-symbol-of-freedom.html |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=www.thepelicanhotel.com |language=en}}</ref>

== History == Construction of the Independence Arch was commissioned by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister and President, as part of a broader effort to establish national symbols following the country’s independence on 6 March 1957.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fuller |first=Harold |title=Building the Nation: Ghana's Architecture after Independence |publisher=University of Ghana Press |year=2014 |isbn=9789988234560}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Arch Accra {{!}} Black Star Square Accra |url=https://www.thepelicanhotel.com/blog/independence-arch-accra-a-symbol-of-freedom.html |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=www.thepelicanhotel.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Arch and its surrounding structures were completed in 1961 in time for the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ghana by Ghanaian contractors and G.N.C.C which formed part of Solel Boneh International Ltd. The square was designed to host national parades, independence anniversaries, and other state ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-09 |title=Queen visited Ghana in 1961, 1999 |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/queen-visited-ghana-in-1961-1999.html |location=Accra, Ghana|access-date=2025-11-11 |newspaper=Daily Graphic|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Square |url=https://www.owu.edu/about/offices-services-directory/academic-affairs/academic-resources/spring-student-symposium/project-information/projects-from-2019-2020/project-norman/ghana-tpg-2/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Ohio Wesleyan University |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=ISPADA - Israeli Planning, Architecture and Development in Africa - the Independence Arch in Accra | url=http://ispada-archive.com/page.php?id=137 }}</ref>

== Design and symbolism == The Independence Arch is a triumphal arch constructed primarily from concrete and stone. It stands on a raised platform with stairways on either side, symbolizing ascension and progress. It encapsulates a modern Eastern European Architecture spacious enough to seat about 3000 people. The structure is marked by Ghana’s national emblem, the Black Star of Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Arch: A symbol of freedom and national identity |url=https://ghanaremembers.com/stories/places/independence-arch-a-symbol-of-freedom-and-national-identity.html |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=GhanaRemembers |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Square |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/independence-square/5QUhVVravCqiqw |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}}</ref>

== Access and photography == The arch holds two separate structures with the lower chamber mostly reserved for dignitaries and head of states who grace occasions at the square. The upper tier however includes office spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-05 |title=Independence Arch {{!}} |url=https://www.alluringworld.com/independence-arch/ |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=Alluring World |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of 2011, visitors to the Independence Arch may not approach the monument closely without authorization, due to an active military presence in the area. Photography of the Arch itself is often restricted, although tourists are free to take pictures of the surrounding Independence Square and the Black Star Gate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunnell |first=Tony |title=Black Star Square |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/black-star-square |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Square and Arch |url=https://www.citylifeaccra.com/things-to-do-accra-listings/independence-square-and-arch |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=City Life Accra |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Independence Arch (Accra)}} * [http://www.ghana-net.com/accra-independence-square-and-black-star-gate See pictures of the "Independence Arch" - photograph from the top of the "Black Star Gate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112211558/http://www.ghana-net.com/accra-independence-square-and-black-star-gate |date=2015-01-12 }} * A video of the Arch and Square can be found [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aK88IccFJA here].

thumb|Ghana's Independence Arch

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Category:Buildings and structures in Accra Category:Triumphal arches Category:Monuments and memorials in Ghana Category:Government buildings in Ghana Category:Victoriaborg, Accra

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