The colours of the Pan-African movement and the design and proportions of the French tricolour were the inspirations for Guinea’s flag of red, yellow and green vertical bands. Guinea achieved its independence from France in 1958 and, following Ghana’s lead of the previous year, adopted the green, yellow and red expressive of African solidarity and a desire for unity. In Guinea’s case, the colours also reflect the three words of the national motto, Travail, Justice, Solidarite; work is represented by red, justice by yellow, and solidarity by green. These were also the colours of the Parti Democratique du Guinea, the dominant political party of the time which was also responsible for leading the country to independence.