Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom and head of the Commonwealth, visited Ghana in November 1961, just four years after the country gained independence from British colonial rule.

Her visit came at a time of heightened political tensions under Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, who was consolidating power and facing criticisms for his increasingly authoritarian measures.

Despite concerns from British officials about safety and the optics of visiting a country with a leader who had imprisoned opposition members, the queen proceeded with the trip.

Sankofa Series: How Ghana spent £3m in 1959 on a new airport runway for Queen Elizabeth's visit

Five days before her arrival, bombs exploded in Accra, one striking a statue of Nkrumah, signaling the volatility of the political climate and raising fears for the queen’s safety.

Yet Elizabeth remained determined to visit, having previously postponed a meeting with Nkrumah in 1959 due to her pregnancy. As head of the Commonwealth, she was conscious of the symbolic importance of her presence and the risk that postponing the visit could drive Ghana away from the organization.

Watch rare visuals of Ghana’s independence day celebration in 1957

"The Queen was not deterred. One reason she was reluctant to reschedule was that she had previously canceled in 1959 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew. As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen did not want to insult Ghana by postponing the visit," a report by the British Heritage noted.

At one point, Queen Elizabeth declared, "How silly I should look if I was scared to visit Ghana and then [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev went and had a good reception." She also told the Prime Minister, "I am not a film star. I am the head of the Commonwealth, and I am paid to face any risks that may be involved. Nor do I say this lightly. Do not forget that I have three children."

The report added, "The other reason being that the Queen was aware Nkrumah was getting closer to the Soviet Union, which wanted to expand its foothold in Africa amidst the Cold War. The Ghanaian leader had even traveled to Moscow that October."

However, the Queen's trip went well. She was met by President Kwame Nkrumah in Accra, the nation's capital. Huge crowds gathered to greet Queen Elizabeth as she met with dignitaries and several government ministers.

Queen Elizabeth’s visit had concrete political and economic outcomes. She ensured Ghana remained a committed member of the Commonwealth, even when she visited the young son of an imprisoned opposition leader a move that demonstrated goodwill without provoking political fallout. '

The royal visit also played a role in securing international funding for the Volta Dam, a major hydroelectric project central to Nkrumah’s development agenda. Following the trip, British and American governments facilitated financial support, strengthening Ghana’s infrastructure while limiting Soviet influence in the region.

JKB/EB

Meanwhile, catch the highlights of Sarkodie x Shatta Wale's epic performance at Rapperholic Homecoming on GhanaWeb TV below: