Main features of the 1957 constitution of ghana pdf

On the 6th of march 1957, ghana became the first country south of the sahara to attain political independence from their colonial masters, the. The constitution approved at the referendum held on 28th april, 1992 and set out in the schedule to this law shall come into force on the 7th day of january, 1993. The constitution divided the country into five administrative regions. The first european explorers to arrive at the coast were the portuguese in 1471. Since 195i, adroit leaders of a wellorganized political party had operated a responsible. May 01, 2018 ghana is considered one of the more stable countries in west africa since its transition to multiparty democracy in 1992.

The 1960 constitution of ghana abolished the post of governorgeneral. Ghanas political system combines competitive elections with what social scientists have called neo patrimonial rule. The main features of the constitution of south africa are as follows. Thus, ghana, before independence in 1957, had been the british colony of the gold coast, in which the british denominations of shilling and penny were traditionally used. Ghana constitution 1960 preliminary note by francis bennion the following is the text of the 1960 ghana constitution, the first constitution of the country after it became an independent republic by virtue of the ghana independence act 1957. It is therefore the responsibility of her majestys government in the united kingdom to advise her majesty as to its form. Era of oneparty state in february 1964, the republican constitution was amended making the cpp the national party. From 23 may to 26 june 1957, there was a constitutional conference in london arranged mainly to correct the deficiencies of lyttleton constitution of 1954 and which took the following decisions. In section four hundred and sixtyone of the income tax act. The gold coast was a british colony on the gulf of guinea in west africa from 1867 to its independence as the nation of ghana in 1957. Infoplease has everything you need to know about ghana.

Features of the independence constitution of 1960 nigerian. The colonial laws validity act, 1865, shall not apply to any law made on or after. The ghana s independence constitution of 1957 see ghana constitution order in council, 22 february 1957 established a unitary system of government, with powers vested in the state. In 1992, ghana promulgated a new constitution, and returned to democratic rule on 7 january 1993. The ghanaian people are a nation originating in the ghanaian gold coast. The constitution of ghana is the supreme law of the republic of ghana. And whereas the people of ghana approved the said constitution for the administration of. In 1957, when ghana achieved full political independence the constitution was fashioned after the westminster model. This theme was explored under four major heads, namely, ghanas political past a. The 1954 transitional constitution provided for an assembly of a speaker and 104 members elected on party lines on the basis of universal adult suffrage. Pretoria university law press pulp the pretoria university law press pulp is a publisher at the faculty of law, university of pretoria, south africa. Gold coast constitution order in council, 1954, shall as from responsible.

The nigeria constitution is the highest law in nigeria, any law that is not consistent with the constitution is null and void. Contemporary perspectives from subsaharan africa published by. They encountered a variety of african kingdoms, some of which controlled substantial deposits of gold in the soil. Key features of the 1960 first republican constitution of ghana. Independence, which was won in 1957 in the wake of an identity crisis, was a point of. In the present discussion i examine the sources of law in ghana. The executive consisted of the prime minister and his cabinet selected from the national assembly to which they were individually and.

Section 9particulars to be given on request every person who occupies any office or shop to which this act applies shall, if so requested by an inspector, within one month serve on the chief inspector a notice containing the particulars set out in the third schedule. A highly accessible, easy to use app version of the constitution of ghana the supreme law of the republic of ghana. What are the features of the constitution of ghana answers. The coat of arms the coat of arms of ghana was introduced on 4 march 1957 by elizabeth ii. On 7 february 1957, the ghana independence act is published. Legislative functions are vested in the national parliament, which consists of a unicameral 200member. The evolution of ghana law since independence william burnett haivey introduction on march 6, 1957, the british gold coast achieved independence in circumstances that apparently offered a bright future for sovereign, independent ghana. The executive admin slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. In the united states of america usa, for example, they operate side by side and reinforce each other.

The independence constitution, officially titled, the ghana constitution order in council, was firmly. Ghanaians predominantly inhabit the republic of ghana, and are the predominant cultural group and residents of ghana, numbering 20 million people as of 20. Instability was then a major part of ghana s government from 1966 to 1981, as several government overthrows occurred. The hallmark of the present constitution is a complete change from the past monarchical form of government to a parliamentary form of government. Africanamericans, including martin luther king jr and malcolm x, visited ghana, and many africans still struggling for their own independence looked on it as a beacon of the future to come. In 1957 when ghana achieved full political independence, the constitution was fashioned after the westminster model. It was approved on 28 april 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support. On july 1, 1960, it became a republic, the first of four civilian republics that were interspersed with periods of military rule. Malaysian constitution main features 11 the three branches of government are the legislature executive judiciary the legislature make laws. For news about ghana, see accraexpats how to guide page how to keep posted with ghana news official name. Ghanas constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996. In all cases, defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.

An act to make provision for, and in connection with, the attainment by the gold coast of fully responsible status within the british commonwealth of nations. This later caused the countrys economy to decline and many people from ghana migrated to other countries. Then the five pointed lone star which is the symbol of african emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism. Oct 14, 2019 ghanas independence from britain in 1957 was widely celebrated in the african diaspora. I begin with a consideration of the introduction of colonial law in ghana, and its impact on the preexisting customary law system. Just like every other country, nigeria has it own law that is a constitution which is the highest law in every country. The political struggles that preceded this historic event date back over a hundred years. Formerly known as the gold coast, ghana gained independence from britain.

Ghana s independence from britain in 1957 was widely celebrated in the african diaspora. Section 10regional and district branches of commission. Under the constitution promulgated for the new nation in 1957. Constitutionalism and democratic governance in africa. From 1957 1987 the 1957 constitution which gave birth to ghanas independence on the 6th of march 1957 also provided some reforms in the local government system. Facts, geography about the west african nation of ghana. On january 7, 1993, the fourth republic was inaugurated, complete with a new constitution. On march 6, 1957, the british gold coast achieved independence in circum stances that apparently offered a bright future for sovereign, independent ghana. The main features of the programme have included the following for which.

Republic of ghana in africa, ghana ranks 24th by size out of 54 countries, 14th by population and th by population density. And whereas the people of ghana approved the said constitution for the administration of ghana to come into force on 7th day of january, 1993. The parties represented were the convention peoples party and the united party. Sep 18, 2018 the constitution of the republic of the republic of ghana 1992 1. Supremacy of the constitution 1 the sovereignty of ghana resides in the people of ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this constitution. Constitution of ghana wikisource, the free online library.

In the elections that followed, the convention peoples party cpp, led by kwame nkrumah, won the majority of seats in the new legislative assembly. The constitution divided the country into three uneven regions northern region, western region and eastern region, and in each region existed a regional legislature and an executive council. Inclusive education policy ministry of education for a full copy of the inclusive education policy, or if you have concerns related to learners with special educational needs. If thats not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. The 1955 transitional constitution provided for an assembly of a speaker and 104 members elected on party lines on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The color green was chosen because ghana lies in the tropics and is blessed with rich vegetation. Some of the features of the 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana are who has the right to vote, what rights are protected by the courts, and the procedures that must be followed by the. A new constitution, approved on april 29, 1954, established a cabinet comprising african ministers drawn from an allafrican legislature chosen by direct election. The constitution of jammu and kashmir is in no way repugnant to the constitution of india but it is complementary to it. The constitution shall come into force oll the 24th day of ment constitutionor. Ghana was a country of immigration in the early years after its 1957 independence, attracting labor migrants largely from nigeria and other neighboring countries to mine minerals and harvest cocoa immigrants composed about 12% of ghanas population in 1960. The prime minister became an executive president acting as both head of government and head of state under the new title, president.

The main features of the 1957 independence constitution of ghana. Browse and navigate ghana constitution in easy, natural real time and advanced. What are the features of 1992 constitution of ghana answers. The following is the text of the 1960 ghana constitution, the first constitution of. The constitution shall come into force oll the 24th day of. It gave its citizens the most extensive rights available in any country. Viewed against this background, the remarkable feature of gold coast. Nsawam landfill site ready for use er government of ghana. It decided that in search for a solution the problem of racial discrimination. Ghana s constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996. Inclusive education policy iii this policy has been developed by the government of ghana ministry of education, supported by unicef, star ghana and ghana blind union. Rawlings as part of the national democratic congress he retired a flight lieutenant of the ghana armed forces liberalised the media by repealing previous laws the pndc signed in.

The various recommendations were considered and many of them included in the final version of the constitution. For the purposes of performing his functions under the constitution, this act and any other law, the commissioner may bring an action before any court in ghana and may seek any remedy which may be available from that court. Besides setting up a parliamentary system of government, the 1957 constitution provided for the representation of chiefs and tribal authorities in the regional councils, converted the legislative assembly to the national assembly, and entrenched clauses relating to its amendments. This means that no other law in ghana would supersede this documents authority and if any legislation is enacted that conflicts with the constitution, that legislation would be declared, unconstitutional article 12. On july 1, 1960, ghana became a republic under the independent constitution of 1957 with a fiveyear term. There shall be established by act of parliament within six months after. In some african countries, including ghana in 1969, 1979, and 1992, where the principle of. The assembly prepared a draft constitution based on proposals submitted to it by the pndc, as well as previous constitutions of 1957, 1969 and 1979, and the report of the committee of experts. Ghana constitution as the house knows, ghana is to attain independence within the commonwealth on 6th march. Another new constitution was promulgated in 1954, followed by elections the same year, also won by the cpp. Africa ghana the world factbook central intelligence. In 1981, ghana s constitution was suspended and political parties were banned. It is often asserted that the united states has a written constitution and the united kingdom an unwritten one.

Establishment of full regional selfgovernment for the east and west in 1957 and for the north in 1959. The new constitution for ghana must be made by order in council passed before the actual date of independence. The constitution of south africa is a jewel in itself. It defines the fundamental political principles, establishing the structure, procedures, powers and duties of the government, structure of the judiciary and legislature, and spells out the fundamental rights and duties of citizens.

Gold coast constitution order in council, 1954, shajj as fron1. Modern ghana, formerly know as the gold coast, was the first country in. In june, 1960, ten women were elected by the national assembly to fill. The independence constitution, officially titled, the ghana constitution order in council, was firmly based on the cabinet system in line with british political tradition. Act, 1957, has made provision for cc the attainment by the gold.

Constitutional law characteristics of constitutions. Freedom and independence of the media 162 1 freedom and independence of the media are hereby guaranteed. Functions of national development planning commission 60. Students% will be% confronted% with% the% very% indefiniteness% of% constitutional law,%and% would% find% that,%in% many. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about ghana s geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. The 1960 constitution of ghana took effect on 1st july 1960. The african ejournals project has digitized full text of. The executive consisted of the prime minister and his cabinet selected from the national assembly to which they were individually and collectively responsible section 7. Act 527 constitution of the republic of ghana amendment act, 1996.

The nsumia waste landfill company has commissioned a new refuse disposal site in the nsawam municipality to reduce the pressure on the kpone landfill site. As the house knows, ghana is to attain independence within the commonwealth on 6th march. These two principles of limiting governmental powers are not mutually exclusive. The final draft constitution was unanimously approved by the people in a referendum on 28 april 1992. Africanamericans, including martin luther king jr and malcolm x, visited ghana, and many africans still struggling for their own independence looked on it as a. Whereas the said draft constitution was submitted to a national referendum held throughout ghana on the 28th april, 1992. Constitutional law constitutional law characteristics of constitutions. Parliament of ghana a historical background of the. Data on ghana introduction in addition to the data below, the links at the bottom of this page will provide you with more information. Following another convincing election victory by nkrumahs party in 1956, gold coast became the first subsaharan african state to gain independence aside from apartheid south africa on 6 march 1957, changing its name to ghana. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval ghana empire of west africa. Under the constitution article 242 and the local government act of.