Black Star

The 5 pointed Black Star stands for the lodestar of African Freedom  – a significant symbol of African emancipation – freedom, justice and future hope for African people. 

In 1914 Jamaican born activist and national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey started the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), in Jamaica. The UNIA, an international organisation, encouraged self-government for black people worldwide, self-help economic projects and protest against racial discrimination.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey started a shipping company called the Black Star Line in 1919 – 1922 to link America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Kwame Nkrumah first president of Ghana launched a government-owned shipping company in 1957 – 1990 and in honour of Marcus Garvey’s philosophy named the fleet Black Star Line (BSL).  

When Ghana gained independence in 1957 he incorporated a Black Star on the arc at Black Star gate built in 1961 in Independence Square to commemorate Ghana independence and to represent black people all over the world to fight for freedom and justice.

When visiting Ghana you can climb the arc stairs leading to the Black Star where you also have a great view of Accra. 

A Black Star is incorporated on the nations flag created by Theodosiah Okoh and is the name of Ghana national football team.

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