Socio-Economic and Political Developments in Ghana (1957 - 2007)

Enquiry Routes: How did Nkrumah become the president of Ghana from 1960 - 1966? When and why were the Akosombo Dam and the Tema Motorway constructed? What health facilities were built between 1957 -and 1969? Who were the leaders of the NLC? Why did the NLC overthrow the Nkrumah Government? How did the NLC tackle the socio-economic problems of Ghana? How did the NLC usher Ghana into the 2nd Republic?
Experiential Learning:
- Learners embark on a field trip (where necessary) or watch videos/documentaries on some infrastructural developments under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's Regime (1957 - 1966), including the Akosombo Dam, Tema Motor Way, Tema Harbour, educational, and health facilities.
- Learners watch documentaries and hold discussions on some social developments that occurred under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah including developments in the educational and health sectors as well as housing, water supply, electrification, and roads.
Problem-Based Learning:
- Using pieces of primary and secondary evidence, learners explain measures taken by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to ensure economic sustainability in Ghana including developments in the Agricultural sector, Manufacturing and Tertiary (Banking, Insurance) Industries.
- With the help of a resource person, learners hold a seminar on attempts allegedly made by the opposition to assassinate Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, including an attempted Bombing at Kulungugu and the gun shots at the Flagstaff House.
- In small groups, learners explore sources to identify contextual problems that existed in Ghana by 1957 that called for the enactment of laws including the Preventive Detention Act (PDA), Emergency Power Act, Deportation Act, and the Avoidance of Discrimination Act.
Collaborative Learning: In a Jigsaw activity, learners create posters to explain some political developments that occurred under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah including the introduction of a new constitution in 1960, a referendum in 1964, etc.
Project-Based Learning:
- In groups, learners discuss the circumstances surrounding Nkrumah's overthrow.
- Learners watch a video documentary on the reasons the National Liberation Council gave for the overthrow of Nkrumah. Let learners debate whether these reasons were justifiable
Talk for Learning:
- Using Think-Pair Share, learners describe the composition of the National Liberation Council (NLC).
- In a Jigsaw Activity, learners discuss and create an oral presentation on major problems the NLC faced, upon assumption of office in 1966 including foreign debts, high budget deficit, etc.
- In a Concentric Circle, learners discuss how the NLC tackled the economic problems of the country upon assumption of office, including setting up an economic committee, appeals to foreign countries and bodies, rescheduling foreign debts, reducing ministries and government expenditure, reducing taxes, and increasing cocoa prices and salaries of workers.
Collaborative Learning: Learners work in pairs to create mind maps that describe some of the social developments under the NLC regime.
Technology-Enabled Active Learning: With the help of the internet, learners create a chart that explains the political developments that took place under the NLC, including disbanding all agencies and associations connected with the CPP, the setting up of Commissions of Enquiry and Committees of Enquiry, the release of political prisoners, return to Civilian Rule, etc.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Contextual photographs of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Governor Lord Listowel, Queen Elizabeth II, cabinet ministers of Ghana from 1957 - 1960.
- A chart showing the positions held by Ghanaians and British officials
- Textbooks
- Newspaper articles/opinion papers, etc.
- Internet Access
- Computer/ laptop/mobile phone, speaker-out devices.
- Stationery
- Photographs of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and cabinet Ministers of Ghana from 1957 - 1969.
- A chart showing the list of achievements under the CPP government (1957 - 1966) and the NLC regime (1966 - 1969)
- Secondary Sources (Textbooks, newspaper articles/opinion papers, etc.)
- Documentaries on infrastructural developments under the CPP and the NLC.
- Video on reasons for the overthrow of Nkrumah.
- Tape/audio recorder
- Photographs of presidents/ vice presidents who have ruled Ghana from 1993 - 2007.
Assessment (2.4.1.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding; Level 3 Strategic reasoning; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.