BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Ghana celebrates

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Tuesday, 6 March 2007, 17:44 GMT

In pictures: Ghana celebrates

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Tens of thousands of Ghanaians flocked to Independence Square celebrations in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to mark the country's 50 years of independence from Britain.

Jennifer Yaroh and Susan Lamptey

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Many people dressed themselves in the national colours of red, gold and green for the festivities...

A man painted in the national colours of Ghana

A man painted in the national colours of Ghana

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... some at the event even painted themselves like the Ghanaian flag.

Petrol attendant Eugene Attafuah

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Even those who had to work, like petrol station attendant Eugene Attafuah, wore the country's flag as a sign of solidarity with those celebrating.

President John Kufuor lights the independence flame

President John Kufuor lights the independence flame

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The crowds roared when President John Kufuor lit the independence flame.

Parading Ghanaian soldiers

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About 20 heads of state attended the parade, including Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A man painted in Ghana's national colours salutes a tank

A man painted in Ghana's national colours salutes a tank

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The Ghanaian government says it is spending about $20m (£10.4m) on the jubilee celebrations. Several million dollars have been spent on cars to transport visiting dignitaries.

Women dance during celebrations in Ghana

Women dance during celebrations in Ghana

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The partying began after midnight when some revellers gave displays of traditional Ghanaian dancing.

Statue of Kwame Nkrumah

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And throughout the night tributes were paid to Kwame Nkrumah, who led the country to independence in 1957 and is immortalised in a statue in the centre of Accra.

Ghana flags and fireworks

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A fireworks display shortly after midnight lit up the sky above the capital. Ghana's independence in 1957 encouraged other countries to break with colonial rule.

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Related to this story:
Ghana celebrates first 50 years (06 Mar 07 | Africa )