The Saga of Ghana

How the story of three lives captures the hopes and struggles of Africa's first 50 years of freedom

SVEN TORFINN/ PANOS FOR TIME

The Deh family at home: from left, Suzzy Afua Deh, her 2-year-old son Wisdom, her father Linus Kwame Deh, 72, and her son Delight Kofi Aka, in Accra, Ghana.

When midnight arrived on March 6, 1957, church bells sounded across Accra. The crowds, which had filled the city streets with the hum of celebration and hope, pushed into the square outside Parliament and cheered as Britain's Union flag was lowered and the green, gold and red colors of the new nation of Ghana were hoisted in a light breeze. In a nearby polo ground, Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah broke into dance and then spoke of a dream finally realized. "Today, from now on, there is a new African in the world," he declared. "At long last the battle has ended. Ghana,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!