The Ghanaian national flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and green. The red stripe at the top symbolizes the bloodshed in the struggle for independence, while the yellow stripe in the middle represents the country's mineral wealth. The green stripe at the bottom signifies the rich vegetation and natural resources of Ghana. In the center of the yellow stripe, there is a black five-pointed star, which represents African freedom and unity. The flag was officially adopted on March 6, 1957, when Ghana became the first African nation to gain independence from colonial rule.