Emmanuel Pappoe-Thompson wrote the original version of the Ghana national anthem entitled “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana,” which the country adopted in 1957.
National Symphony Orchestra Director and Arts Council Founder Philip Comi Gbeho wrote the music for Ghana’s anthem. You can compare the original version with the revised song here.
The West African country of Ghana became a republic in 1960, and Nkrumah stayed in office serving as the first president. After that, revised lyrics provided by Michael Kwame Gbordzoe the original national anthem became the new song. This change reflected the country’s move toward independence from Britain that started in 1957.
The lyrics contain themes of the right to freedom and resistance against oppression. Moreover, it expresses the strength and boldness to defend against opposing forces. This song that mentions "God" also commands humility, honesty, unity, service and loyalty.
When Kwame Nkrumah first ruled Ghana, these lyrics seem to fit the nation’s move toward independence and celebrated Nkrumah’s accomplishments.
In 1957, Nkrumah managed to free the West African section of Guinea known as the Gold Coast from Britain. He also won the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962 and started the Organization of African Unity in 1963. Goals while in office included improved economic policy and energy development. He first started the Convention’s People Party under which he ruled in 1949, but he did have numerous problems while in office despite his reputation as a peacekeeper.
Kwame Nkrumah received much recognition from his own country with support from the United States for his role in asserting Ghana’s independence. The first Independence Day this country ever celebrated took place on March 6, 1957. However, a violent government coup involved a forced removal of Nkrumah.
The National Liberation Council pushed Kwame Nkrumah out of office on February 24, 1966. Reasons given for his dismissal included his supposed dictatorship, whereas he ruled that no other party could oppose him.
However, Convention People’s Party members Adamafio, Ako Adjei and Cofie Crabbe allegedly tried to bomb Nkrumah to death in 1962. Perhaps fear overtook the president, and maybe that’s why he began to exhibit signs of sabotaging any opposing political candidate before the 1966 overthrow. Nkrumah fled to Guinea after the coup, where he remained until his death in 1972.