The elections were held alongside a referendum on creating a republic with an executive presidency.

The winner of the elections would become the country's first president if the new republican constitution was passed, which it did.

There were only two candidates: After winning the election, and the passing of the new constitution in the simultaneous referendum, Nkrumah was inaugurated on 1 July 1960, replacing Governor-General William Hare as head of state.

On his release, he was elected President of the Ghana Bar Association.

Four years later, another referendum strengthened Nkrumah's powers and turned the country into a one-party state (with an official result of 99.91% in support).