The result was a victory for Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party, which won 72 of the 104 seats.

The new constitution meant that assembly members were no longer elected by the tribal councils, the Assembly was enlarged, and all members were chosen by direct election from equal, single-member constituencies.

It established a cabinet composed of African ministers, and only defence and foreign policy remained in the hands of the governor; the elected assembly was given control over the majority of internal affairs.

[1] In May 1956 Nkrumah's government issued a white paper containing proposals for Gold Coast independence.

The British Government stated it would agree to a firm date for independence if a reasonable majority for such a step were obtained in the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly after a general election.