Visit to Independence Arch & Black Star Square

Independence Arch

• Independence Arch was built by the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah in 1961 for Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Accra.
•  The Arch represents Ghana's struggle for Independence from imperial British rule. 

• It also honors the fallen soldiers who died fighting for Ghana's freedom. 

The Black Star Square

• This piece was also commissioned by Kwame Nkrumah for the visit of  Queen Elizabeth II to Accra. The 'Black Star' represents freedom of all black people. It was inspired by Marcus Garvey's shipping company, Black Star Line in 1919. 
  • Garvey envisioned that his shipping company would be owned and operated by black people across the diaspora from America, the Caribbean, and Africa to give black people opportunities to travel and ship items in ways that were largely off-limits, especially to black people at this time. Unfortunately, the line could only manage to operate for three years and shut down in 1922. 
• Dr. Nkrumah added the black star to Ghana's flag to honor Marcus Garvey and celebrate black people across the diaspora. 
• Freeing Ghana from British imperialist rule was not enough for Dr. Nkrumah. He strongly advocated freeing all of Africa and all black people from all forms of racism across the world.