On September 22, 1962, a State of Emergency was declared in Accra and Tema

Following the attempt on Nkrumah’s life at Kulungugu, on August 1, 1962, there continued to be more evidence of violence in the country. On September 9, 1962, a bomb exploded near the Flagstaff House, the official residence of the president, when the Ghana Young Pioneers Orchestra Band was entertaining the audience to modern Ghanaian music. This explosion killed one person and injured others. On September 18, 1962, two bombs again went off in Accra, killing and injuring several people. One of these bomb blasts occurred in Lucas House in Accra, when nine children fell dead on the spot as their intestines gushed out of their bodies. This was followed by another bomb explosion from September 22, 1962. Consequently, a state of emergency was declared in Accra and Tema with a dawn to dusk curfew being declared.

On September 22, 1961, The Railway and Dockworkers strike ended.

The strike ended on Sept. 22, when the dock and rail workers at Sekondi-Takoradi returned to work after a further broadcast by President Nkrumah, in which he again called on the men to go back and denounced the strike as “illegal” and “subversive.” On the face of it, this appeared as an industrial action against the budget but the govt. was able to show that well ahead of the strike one Ishmaila Annan, who was not a trade union official or member but an executive of the Moslem Association Party, with a history of organizing violence in Kumasi for the NLM, was the key orginzer for the United Party in supporting the strike. Others identified as being involved were C. W. Graves, a contractor in Sekondi, K.A. Amano, a timber merchant and two teachers, J. Kwesi Lamptey and Atta Bordoh. During the strike, according to the Sarkodee-Addo Commission report, J. B. Danquah, Obetsebi -Lamptey and the national executive of the United Party provided about 10,000 pounds to the strikers.This was eventually admitted by W.N. Grant the key union leader. The strike turned out to be a proxy war war between the United Party and the government of the day.

On September 20, 1975 DK "Poison" becomes Ghana's first professional boxing world champion.

On September 20, 1975, David Kotei (D. K. Poison) became the first Ghanaian Professional boxer to win a world crown. He turned professional under trainer Attuquaye Clottey. His first professional bout was on 5 February 1966 in Accra when he outpointed his opponent over six rounds. He became the national featherweight champion that year. Although he fought once in neighboring Togo in 1967, all his subsequent fights through to 1971 were all in Ghana. In 1972 however, he fought as much as seven times in Australia, winning five and losing two. He won the African featherweight title on 2 February 1974 when he knocked out Tahar Ben Hassen in the first round of a scheduled 15 round fight in Tunis, Tunisia. Later on 7 December 1974, he also won the Commonwealth featherweight title with a technical knockout over Evans Armstrong, a British boxer in round 10 of a scheduled 15 rounds bout. This victory gave him an opportunity to go for the World Boxing Council version of the world title. On 20 September 1975, in The Forum, Inglewood, California, United States, he beat Rubén Olivares by split points decision after 15 rounds to become the first Ghanaian world boxing champion. He relinquished the African and Commonwealth titles following this victory. The Ghana government gave him an estate house at Teshie-Nungua, an Accra suburb in honour of this achievements in boxing. He however lost the title in his third defense on 6 November 1976 by unanimous points decision to Danny "Little Red" Lopez in a fierce fight in Accra, Ghana. He is married with three daughters. He also defeated Fuku Yama in Japan.

DK Poison was never the same again after this defeat. He failed in 1978 to regain either the world or commonwealth featherweight titles. His last professional bout was in 1989 when he lost an African lightweight title fight. His professional record was 48 fights, W- 40, KO -24 and 1 draw.

According to reports and DK Poison’s own story, in 1976, he loaned an amount of US$45,000 to the Government of Ghana, then led by Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. The money was intended for the purchase of canned mackerel to mitigate the harsh economic and food conditions the country was facing. The loan had been facilitated by his management, which was led be Col John Slater. According to Kotei, the money was part of his reward for defending his title against Japan's Fuku Yama in 1976. The loan has not been paid back to date because shortly after the canned mackerels arrived in the country, the Acheampong's regime was overthrown by the Jerry John Rawlings.

On September 19, 1874, Slavery was abolished in the Gold Coast by Ordinance.

Whilst 1833 Abolition of Slavery Act as the end of slavery in the British Empire. Oftentimes it is heralded as evidence of Britain's liberal if not benign form of imperialism. However, the law was initially only applied in the West Indies. While 1833 act is certainly a landmark in the history of slavery, historians point out that it only signaled Britain's intention to gradually end slavery in the colonies.  In fact, Britain continued to profit from slave labour in the colonies for several more decades. Slavery was only abolished in the Gold Coast on September 19, 1874.It was not abolished in southern Nigeria until 1916. In 1906 in the Gambia, an ordinance was approved that anyone born after that date could not be enslaved, but remaining slaves were to be freed only on the death of their masters.

In 1901, Sierra Leone passed an ordinance which ended the dealing in slaves, but individuals could still bring slaves into the country for their own use. The same ordinance did allow slaves to buy their freedom, at a sum to be fixed by the governor of not more than four pounds for an adult and two pounds for a child. When the governor there, wanted to abolish slavery in 1921, Winston Churchill, then secretary of state for the colonies, replied that "the abolition of slavery could not, however, have any immediate beneficial effect on the finances of the colony" of Sierra Leone.

By the early 1920s Britain was under increasing pressure from the League of Nations temporary slavery commission. In 1924 Britain was forced to admit that slavery was still practised in Sierra Leone, northern Nigeria, Gambia, Aden, Burma and Hong Kong.

Britain in 1926 signed the League of Nations slavery convention. But it was quickly in trouble with the League, following a ruling by Sierra Leone's Supreme Court on July 1 1927, which declared that the status of slavery "is clearly recognised" and thus "the use of reasonable force [by the slave's owner] in retaking of a runaway slave must also be recognised". Court president Mr Justice Sawrey-Cookson added: "It must be as absurd to deny an owner of a slave his rights to retake a runaway slave as to deny a husband certain rights which follow on a lawfully contracted marriage."

Slavery was finally abolished in Sierra Leone on January 1 1928, nearly a century after the Abolition of Slavery Act. In marking the end of slavery, this is the date which should be used.

On September 19, 1954, The National Liberation Movement was formed.

The start of Nkrumah's first term as "leader of government business" was marked by cordiality and co-operation with the British governor. During the next few years, the government was gradually transformed into a full parliamentary system. The changes were opposed by the more traditionalist African elements, particularly in Asante and the Northern Territories. This opposition, however, proved ineffective in the face of continuing and growing popular support for a single over-riding concept—independence at an early date.

In 1952 the position of prime minister was created and the Executive Council became the cabinet. The prime minister was made responsible to the assembly, which duly elected Nkrumah prime minister. The constitution of 1954 ended the election of assembly members by the tribal councils. The Legislative Assembly increased in size, and all members were chosen by direct election from equal, single-member constituencies. Only defence and foreign policy remained in the hands of the governor; the elected assembly was given control of virtually all internal affairs of the colony.

The CPP pursued a policy of political centralisation, which encountered serious opposition. Shortly after the 1954 election, a new party, the Asante-based National Liberation Movement (NLM), was formed. The NLM advocated a federal form of government, with increased powers for the various regions. NLM leaders criticised the CPP for perceived dictatorial tendencies. The new party worked in co-operation with another regionalist group, the Northern People's Party. When these two regional parties walked out of discussions on a new constitution, the CPP feared that London might consider such disunity an indication that the colony was not yet ready for the next phase of self-government.

The National Liberation Movement was a Ghanaian political party formed on September 19, 1954. It was set up by disaffected Ashanti members of the Convention People's Party, who were joined by Kofi Abrefa Busia, the NLM opposed the process of centralization whilst supporting a continuing role for traditional leaders. Its main founding member was linguist Baffour Akoto whilst J. B. Danquah served as leader. The party gained some support in the Gold Coast legislative election, 1956 and became the third largest party in the Assembly with 12 seats, behind the Convention People's Party and the Northern People's Party.

The Avoidance of Discrimination Act, passed by Kwame Nkrumah in 1957 outlawed parties based on racial, regional, or religious differences and as such the NLM became part of the newly formed opposition group the United Party

The British constitutional adviser, however, backed the CPP position on a non-federalist constitution. The governor dissolved the assembly to test popular support for the CPP demand for immediate independence. The Crown agreed to grant independence if so requested by a two-thirds majority of the new legislature. New elections were held in July 1956. In keenly contested elections, the CPP won 57 percent of the votes cast, but the fragmentation of the opposition gave the CPP every seat in the south as well as enough seats in Asante, the Northern Territories, and the Trans-Volta Region to hold a two-thirds majority of the 104 seats.

On September 18, 1956, the date for Gold Coast's independence was announced

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

September 18, 1961 -Railway Strike against austerity budget continues after Nkrumah returns from USSR

On Sept. 14 a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in Sekondi-Takoradi to “facilitate the operation of essential services” and “prevent further intimidation and sabotage”; it was stated that a train which had left Takoradi in defiance of the strike had been derailed by saboteurs. Dr. Nkrumah returned to Accra on Sept. 16 from his holiday in the Soviet Union (after having been abroad for nine weeks); on the following day he announced that he had revoked the state of emergency, and called upon all strikers to return to work immediately. The President said that his decision entailed the immediate withdrawal of all measures taken under the emergency declaration, including arming of the police; the ending of the curfew in Sekondi-Takoradi; and the release of all persons arrested for infringement of the emergency regulations or any other activity connected with the strike. He called upon all those on strike to return to work “forthwith,” declaring that “by 7.30 a.m. on Sept. 19 there should be a full resumption of work throughout the country.”

Despite the President's appeal, a protest strike involving 3,000 workers in the petrol and motor industry occurred in Accra on Sept. 18, while the Takoradi strikers ignored the Sept. 19 deadline laid down by Dr. Nkrumah; their leaders insisted that the Government should make a full statement on its financial policy before they ended the strike, and appealed for financial support from dock and railway unions in Britain, the U.S.A., Liberia, and Nigeria. The Ghana T.U.C, on the other hand, issued a statement again condemning the strike, asserting that it was “a political manoeuvre to undermine constitutional authority,” and reiterating the charges against “foreign elements in alliance with certain subversive individuals and groups,” and “some” foreign companies.

On September 13, 1958 Ashanti lands were placed under the control of central government

The Sarkodee-Addo Commission following the deposition of the Okyehene of Akim Abuakwa, alleged mismanagement of the affairs of Kumasi and Ashanti stool lands were as a result, placed under the control of the central government. This followed the enactment of the Stool Lands Act on September 5th, 1958. This was vigorously opposed by the United Party and its allies but the law stood nonetheless. This did not alter ownership of the lands but the revenues were now managed by central government.

On September 13, 1854, Osu Labadi and Teshie were bombarded by the British

In 1852 the British instituted a poll tax of 1 shilling per man, woman and child. Labadi, Osu, Teshie and other Ga villages refused to pay and on September 13, 1854 they were bombarded by the British warship the HMS Scourge, during the celebration of the annual Homowo Festival. The townspeople also resisted attempts by the British to make land a commodity, to be bought and sold. Their resistance did not change the course of history.

On September 13, 2001, Ghanaian Secretary-General of UN awarded Nobel Peace Prize

In 2001, its centennial year, the Nobel Committee decided that the Peace Prize was to be divided between the United Nations (UN) and the world organization's Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. The choice showed the Committee's traditional support for organized cooperation between states.

Kofi Annan was born in Ghana in 1938. His father was a chief and governor of the Ashanti province. He attended a Methodist school and a technical college in his home country before continuing his academic studies in Switzerland and the United States.

Annan pursued a varied career in the UN system until 1993, when he was appointed Deputy Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, a position he held until 1997, when he took over as the United Nations' seventh Secretary-General.

Kofi Annan was awarded the Peace Prize for having revitalized the UN and for having given priority to human rights. The Nobel Committee also recognized his commitment to the struggle to contain the spreading of the HIV virus in Africa and his declared opposition to international terrorism.

On September 12, 1972 the erstwhile national Redemption Council abolished the Supreme Court of Ghana

In 1972, the Supreme Court was abolished by the National Redemption Council (N.R.C.), the military government that followed that of the Second Republic, reasoning that, with the suspension of the 1969 Constitution, there was no need for a court to interpret and enforce it. The functions of the Supreme Court were transferred to the full Bench of the Court of Appeal.

Workers strike which began on Sept 4, 1961, continued while Nkrumah was on a prolonged holiday in the USSR

Strikes broke out on Sept. 4 in protest against the Government's compulsory savings scheme and the price increases on sugar, flour, and other basic commodities, which it was claimed would reduce the workers’ living standards below an adequate level.

Under the compulsory savings scheme, five per cent of all wages and salaries, and 10 per cent of other types of income (including cocoa farmers’ incomes, but not those of other members of the farming community), would be retained for investment in non-transferable National Development Bonds, carrying two per cent tax-free interest and redeemable in 10 years (or earlier if the holder died, reached the age of 60, or left Ghana permanently). Two per cent of the amount levied each year would be used by the Government to finance a lottery among bondholders. Exemption from these provisions might be granted to any foreign national specifically applying for it.

The Government would “not countenance” any wage or salary increases, since (Mr. Goka, Minister of Finance stated) any increase in burdens imposed by the Budget would be small in comparison with recent increases in incomes and living standards. As stated above, strikes broke out on Sept. 4 in protest against the Government's compulsory savings scheme and the price increases on sugar, flour, and other basic commodities, which it was claimed would reduce the workers’ living standards below an adequate level.

The strikes began among railway workers at Sekondi -Takoradi, (Loco) spread rapidly to port workers in the twin towns and to railwaymen at Kumasi, and virtually paralysed the country's rail system, thereby forcing other employees in the Takoradi area to stop work. Appeals by the Government and leaders of the Ghana T.U.C. for a resumption of work prior to a discussion of the workers’ grievances were unsuccessful, and on Sept. 6-7 the strike spread to municipal bus workers in Accra and to employees of the trading firm of A. G. Leventis and Co., which is heavily backed by Government loans.

A limited state of emergency was proclaimed on Sept. 9, covering both the area of Sekondi-Takoradi and the country's railway system. This measure gave the Government power to requisition vehicles in order to maintain the movement of essential supplies, to control traffic, and to ban meetings; convicted saboteurs became liable to up to 10 years’ imprisonment; and senior police or military officers were empowered to detain suspects without a warrant.

Strong forces of police went on duty in Sekondi-Takoradi on Sept. 10; a train manned by an emergency crew was able for the first time to travel from Kumasi to Accra; and on Sept. 11 about 1,000 railwaymen at Kumasi (one-quarter of the total number of rail strikers) returned to work, enabling a skeleton rail service to be restarted, although the strike situation at Takoradi was virtually unchanged. On Sept. 12 the Government appealed to all retired railway workers to register at police stations in case their services were required.

The strike continued with broader implications for various politicians…. More to follow.

September 7, 1962: National Assembly proclaims Nkrumah president for life

Following the attempt on his life at Kulungulu in August, 1962 and fierce opposition from his adversaries, Kwame Nkrumah became increasingly paranoid 5 years into his regime as Ghana's head of state. Nkrumah and the CPP-led National Assembly introduced a series of reforms including declaring Ghana a one-party state, increasing the enforcement power of Preventive Detention, and declaring Nkrumah "president for life."

September 7, 1817: Anglo-Ashanti Treaty signed between Osei Bonsu and African Company of Merchants

By the early 19th century, the British had by gold and gunpowder occupied the majority of the forts along the shore of the future Gold Coast colony. Led by King Osei Bonsu, the Ashanti charged southward and began to conquer lands towards to the coast. This campaign decimated the land of the Fante and other indigenous groups and won forts from other European powers, such as the Dutch at Kormantse, which had been a Dutch stronghold fort and one of the last strongholds of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The British, in their interest to increase their holdings and promote commerce, sent a mission from Cape Coast to Osei Bonsu's palace in Kumasi to negotiate a treaty of friendship which recognized Ashanti sovereignty over much of the coast. This mission was chronicled by Thomas Edward Bowdich in Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee in 1819. The crown's interests in this treaty were brokered by the African Company of Merchants.

Thomas Edward Bowdich

Due to the enforcement of the 1807 slave trade abolition, the company folded and the treaty was dissolved. This chaos culminated in the First Anglo-Ashanti War--a bloody event precipitating eighty years of conflict between the two powers.

September 1, 1966: The National Liberation Council (NLC) establishes a commission to propose a new constitution

Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, was overthrown after nearly a decade in power in 1966. After firmly overturning some of Nkrumah's contested policies such as the Preventive Detention Act, the NLC began the process of establishing their government and new set of laws by forming a constitutional committee on September 1, 1966. This began to mark the formation of Ghana's 2nd Republic.

September 1, 1987: The Junior Secondary School (JSS) system commenced

Ghanaian JSS students completing an examination

Free and compulsory primary education was introduced to Ghana with the Education Act of 1961. This led to a surge in school enrollment and challenged the nation to overcome a scarcity of qualified teachers. From the enactment of the 1961 policy until 1987, primary school consisted of 10 years of education in Ghana. The 1987 act reduced this to nine years with the years of "junior secondary school" (JSS) designated as grades 7 through 9. This was implemented due to findings in the Dzobo Committee report of 1973, which stated that intermediate education in Ghana should consist of more vocational, science, agricultural, and technical courses to align with national development goals. Upon completion of JSS, students receive a Basic Education Certificate (BECE) signifying satisfactory grade-level mastery of subjects including English language, Ghanaian language and culture, social studies, integrated science, mathematics, design and technology, information and communication technology, French (optional), religious and moral education. Typically students matriculate to secondary school at the age of 15.

The Dzobo Committee found that junior secondary level students required improved technical curriculum options to align with national development goals

August 29, 1969: Progress Party wins elections to form government of the 2nd Republic

On August 29, 1969 the Progress Party (PP) led by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia won 105 out of 140 seats in the first National Assembly of the 2nd Rebublic of Ghana. The Progress Party won 59% of the vote, defeating the National Alliance of Liberals (29 seats) led by Komla Gbedemah, former finance minister in Nkrumah’s government.