Ghana parties through the night to celebrate 50

Accra, Mar 6: Thousands of Ghanaians danced in the streets into the early hours today in celebrations marking the 50th birthday of the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to win independence.

With few street lights in Ghana's capital Accra, partygoers, many wrapped in the red, yellow and green national flag adorned with a black star, swayed under the moonlight to music blaring from trucks mounted with large speakers.

''I am a Ghanaian and I came tonight because I wanted to witness the joy,'' said Joshua Ameh, 17, with a group of friends near Accra's central Independence square.

Thousands gathered in the square for a re-enactment of the declaration of independence and fireworks at midnight to mark the precise anniversary.

Singer Stevie Wonder was due in Accra this week to sing a special version of his hit ''Happy Birthday'' dedicated to Ghana, whose independence inspired a wave of liberation struggles around the continent and the world.

Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo was billed as guest of honour at a ceremony today to be attended by Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, along with Britain's Duke of Kent and black American politician Jesse Jackson.

''The independence of Ghana was a landmark event with global impact. They said the sun would never set on the British empire and Ghana was a huge blow to British colonialism,'' Jackson told Reuters.

Chequered History

''I came specifically for the 50th anniversary,'' said Nigerian oil worker Norbert Abaa Umahi, 38. I am part of a brotherhood of Africans (and want) to celebrate such milestones.'' After a chequered history since independence on March 6, 1957, punctuated by a spate of military coups, Ghana has emerged as one of Africa's most respected democracies and more solid economies. But poverty remains widespread.

''I am glad to see this fifty years anniversary. God has taken us far. We want to develop more than this,'' said market worker Yaw Issah, 32, beside a monument to independence hero Kwame Nkrumah.

The celebrations have not been without controversy.

Former President Jerry Rawlings, who led two coups and ruled for nearly 20 of Ghana's 50 years of independence before stepping down in 2000, will not attend the celebrations.

Rawlings, a vocal critic of President John Kufuor's administration, has criticised the government for refusing to acknowledge his contribution to Ghana's development.

Many ordinary Ghanaians have questioned the decision to spend 20 million dollars on the year-long commemoration, including a hefty chunk on cars for visiting presidents.

Reuters

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