[2] Amongst growing calls for self-governance, such as the 1948 Accra Riots and unrest (which led to the arrest of the Big Six), the Coussey Committee was commissioned by the United Kingdom government.

Its report led to the 1951 constitution, which gave the Executive Council an African majority, and created an 84-member Legislative Assembly, 38 of whom were to be elected by the people, 37 representing territorial councils, six appointed to represent commercial interests and three ex officio members appointed by the Governor.

[7] The main opposition, the United Gold Coast Convention, fared badly, winning only three seats, and was disbanded following the elections.

[7] After winning the Accra Central seat, Nkrumah was released from prison, and was appointed "Leader of Government Business",[14] before becoming the country's first Prime Minister the following year after a constitutional amendment.

Following another convincing election victory by Nkrumah's party in 1956, Gold Coast became the first sub-Saharan African state to gain independence (aside from apartheid South Africa) on 6 March 1957, changing its name to Ghana.