The Gold Coast is to become the first black African nation to be granted independence from Britain.
On September 18, 1956, in a statement to the House of Commons, Colonial Secretary Alan Lennox-Boyd said the Gold Coast will be allowed to govern itself within the Commonwealth provided a general election is held in the country.
For more information: http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1957/jan/24/ghana-independence-bill