The Black Star Gate
«Freedom and Justice» in stone.
Ben Sutherland (on Flickr) — CC BY 2.0 · Cca Raheem — CC BY 4.0 · Sir Amugi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ben Sutherland (on Flickr) — CC BY 2.0 · Celestinesucess — CC BY-SA 4.0
Black Star Square, also called Independence Square, is a huge public square on the Accra seafront, beside the city stadium and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Independence Day is celebrated here each year on 6 March, along with other major national occasions. Its emblem is a stone gate topped by a black star, the same star that sits at the centre of Ghana's flag. Kwame Nkrumah commissioned the square to mark the country's independence in 1957, and the Ghanaian architect Theo Lawson designed it. It was completed in 1961, in time for Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to Ghana. Since then it has been the stage for the country's official celebrations. The main sight is the Black Star Gate, a large stone structure inscribed «Freedom and Justice» and «AD 1957». Across from it stands the Independence Arch in pale yellow, with its tiered platform and the sea behind. Between them lie a wide open ground and long rows of stands. On most days the square is nearly empty, as if waiting for the next parade. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is about 1 km away in a straight line, so the two go well together. The square is usually open, but parts may close while an official event is prepared. Guards sometimes restrict photography, so ask first. There is almost no shade, so morning or sunset is the best time.
«Freedom and Justice» in stone.
Pale yellow by the sea.
Wide, with long stands.
Independence Avenue, Accra, Ghana
The largest is on 6 March, Independence Day, and parts of the square close before it.
No, half an hour is enough, and it pairs well with Nkrumah Park.
