People across Ghana are celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain today. On March 6th, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence from colonial rule. It inspired a wave of liberation struggles around Africa and the world. Just three years later, 17 more colonies had gained their independence. [includes rush transcript - partial]

Thousands of people are out on the streets of the West African nation to mark the occasion. More than 20 heads of state are attending the ceremonies, including South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

In the capital - Accra - and beyond, Ghana's Black Star flag is fluttering from electricity poles, car windows and palm trees to honor the watershed moment half a century ago.

On March 6th, 1957, the Gold Coast became Ghana and the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence from colonial rule. It inspired a wave of liberation struggles around Africa and the world. Just three years later, 17 more colonies had gained their independence.

Ghana's first president -- Kwame Nkrumah -- gained international stature, emerging as one of the leaders of the worldwide anti-colonial movement and one of the most influential Pan-Africanists of the 20th century.

• Kwame Nkrumah: "I am convinced that it is dangerous for the independent African states to wait any longer for the United Kingdom to do its duty. The time has come for the independent African state to take the initiative in their own hands."

Kwame Nkrumah helped usher in an era of independence for Africa after centuries of invasion, slavery and colonial rule. But in 1966, while he was away on a state visit to China, Nkrumah was overthrown in a CIA sponsored coup. He never returned to Ghana and died in exile in Guinea in 1972.

In a few minutes we will be joined by Kwame Nkrumah's son, Gamal. But first, let's go back to 1960 to hear Kwame Nkrumah in his own words. Three years after becoming Ghana"s first president, Nkrumah traveled to New York to address the world in front of the United Nations General Assembly.

• Kwame Nkrumah, speaking in 1960. Courtesy: Pacifica Radio Archives

Kwame Nkrumah - independence leader and the first president of Ghana speaking before the UN General Assembly in 1960, courtesy of the Pacifica Radio Archives. Kwame Nkrumah's son Gamal is the foreign editor of the Egyptian English-language newspaper, Al-Ahram Weekly. He joins me from Cairo. Welcome to Democracy Now.

• Gamal Nkrumah, the son of Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Gamal is foreign editor of the English-language newspaper, Al-Ahram Weekly. He lives in Cairo, Egypt.