The commonwealth realm of Ghana, known officially simply as Ghana, was a predecessor to modern-day Republic of Ghana and an independent state that existed between 15 August 1957 and 26 January 1960. It was the first western african country to achieve independence.
When British rule ended in 1957, Ghana was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1960 constitution. A referendum was held, with 88.47% percent of the Ghanaian people voting in favour of a republic, 11.53% against. This occurred on 27 April 1960; the Republic of Ghana came into existence on 1st July 1960.During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state

Head of State

A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...

 of Ghana, and was represented in Ghana by a governor-general

Governor-General

A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...

. The following governors-generals held office in Ghana during the dominion period:

1. Charles Noble Arden-Clarke
   Charles Noble Arden-Clarke
   Sir Charles Noble Arden-Clarke was a British colonial administrator.He was the Resident Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate between 1937 and 1942 , a time at which the ruling regent Tschekedi Khama was in violent conflict with the British authorities...
   
    (6 March - 24 June 1957)
2. William Francis Hare, 5th Earl of Listowel (24 June 1957 - 1 July 1960)

Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to 1966. Overseeing the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana...

 held office as prime minister

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...

 (and head of government

Head of government

Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...

) of the Dominion of Ghana during this period.
Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, he became President of Ghana.

See also

• Governor-General of Ghana
• Gold Coast (British colony)
  Gold Coast (British colony)
  The Gold Coast was a British colony on the Gulf of Guinea in west Africa that became the independent nation of Ghana in 1957.-Overview:The first Europeans to arrive at the coast were the Portuguese in 1471. They encountered a variety of African kingdoms, some of which controlled substantial...
  
  
• Kwame Nkrumah
  Kwame Nkrumah
  Kwame Nkrumah was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to 1966. Overseeing the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana...
  
  
• Elizabeth II
• Charles Noble Arden-Clarke
  Charles Noble Arden-Clarke
  Sir Charles Noble Arden-Clarke was a British colonial administrator.He was the Resident Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate between 1937 and 1942 , a time at which the ruling regent Tschekedi Khama was in violent conflict with the British authorities...
  
  
• William Francis Hare, 5th Earl of Listowel