2. 05 Population: 27 million. It was the first country in Africa to gain independence. In the case of traditionalism, Ghanaians still hold on to the less popular practice of inheriting your siblings’ widow. Regardless of the fact that they had different beliefs, their practices revolved around beliefs in the spirit world, gods and goddesses. African-Americans, including Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X, visited Ghana, and many Africans still struggling for their own independence looked on it as a beacon of the future to come. However, prior to independence on 6 March 1957, the territory was known as Gold Coast, a reference to the large volumes of gold that were mined in the interior and exported by sea following the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. Contents. Initially, during the medieval times, Ghana was called the ‘Wagadugu Empire’. As elsewhere in Africa, the climate of Ghana varied during the Pleistocene Epoch (about 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago). The most distinctive appears around Kintampo and in the Accra plains; it had clay houses, Saharan chert microliths, shale arm rings, and scored terra-cottas like flattened cigars. Ghana has been an authority in Africa as its efforts of implementing the Millennium Development Goals are seen to be bearing fruit as the decrease in poverty levels happens gradually. Before 1957, Ghana was popularly referred to as ‘The Gold Coast’. The Ghana Empire flourished in West Africa from at least the 6th to 13th century CE. Several Neolithic (New Stone Age) cultures seem identifiable. At its close there appears a Lupemban culture (see Lupemban industry), probably from the desiccating Sahara; it occurs in basal gravels of valleys carved during the preceding pluvial period. It was not related to the current country called the Republic of Ghana. With greater precipitation, the forest spread northward and humans retreated toward the Sahara; when precipitation diminished, they occupied even the present forest. It’s called Kejetia market and it’s located in Kumasi, the … The traditional religious practices of the Ghanaian people were also almost similar. Little progress has so far been made in linking the surviving traditions with the available archaeological evidence. Akan is the native language that is widely spoken. a) 6 March 1957. Ghana’s independence from Britain in 1957 was widely celebrated in the African diaspora. A meeting was conveyed in Manchester, England in 1945 where serious issues on African people liberation were raised. It is probable that the first Akan states—e.g., such influential states as Bono and Banda north of the forest or the smaller states founded on the coast by migration down the Volta River—were also established in this way. 45. Up-country these occur on silt terraces deposited in the preceding wet phase as far as the Niger. Ghana is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. Ghana History Facts and Timeline (Ghana, GH, Western Africa) Known for its lengthy coast, gold and slave trade, Ghana has a recent recorded history mostly involving colonialism and independence. It is against this background that the traditions of origin of the Ghanaian states must be viewed. Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. When did the Portuguese build Elmina Castle? With increases in aridity, humans reappeared, bringing Late Acheulean and Sangoan cultures (see Sangoan industry), probably successively. This stage dates to the post-Flandrian marine regression (end of 2nd millennium bce). It has a central area of forest and sandy beaches along the coast. Ghanaian people are mostly poor. In Ghana, this is upheld to date. 04 Currency: Ghana Cedi. The Southern part has mostly the poor people. When did Ghana become independent? The centre of the empire of Ghana lay about 500 miles (800 km) to the northwest of the nearest part of the modern state, and it is reasonably certain that no part of the latter lay within its borders. 2.1 Medieval kingdoms. History of Ghana . On 6 March 1957 Kwame Nkrumah declared the country's independence. Thereafter excavations at Legon yielded quartz microliths made on small pebbles. Ghana gained its independence using diplomatic channels in 1957. With greater precipitation, the forest spread northward and humans retreated toward the Sahara; when precipitation diminished, they occupied even the present forest. Accra. The meeting was attended by Kwame Nkrumah. Before 1957, Ghana was popularly referred to as ‘The Gold Coast’. The actual name of the Empire was Wagadugu. Ghana Quiz Questions with Answers. 3. This lesson will teach you about the Republic of Ghana. Ghana has a higher birth rate than death rate. 5. The Sangoan culture waned in the Gamblian pluvial era. It has a total population of 27,410,000. Ghana Facts – Recent History and Politics of Ghana. In 1482, the Portuguese built a trading settlement there. The empire became known in Europe and Arabia as the Ghana Empire after the title of its Emperor, the Ghana. We now have a Public mailbox! Many modern Ghanaian peoples possess well-preserved oral traditions, but, even though some of these may reach as far back as the 14th century, this is after the final disappearance of the empire of Ghana and such very early traditions often present considerable problems of interpretation. The ancient empire of Ghana (located 500 mi northwest of the contemporary state) reigned until the 13th century. Evidence is lacking for the introduction of iron. 7. 09 Area: 92,099 square miles. They are generally hospitable to each other and to visitors and foreigners. The latest Mesolithic Period has stone hoes, quartz beads, and other Congo types; pottery seems absent. The veterans started the struggle for independence because they had been influenced by the war. How Ghana became the hottest destination for African-American travelers How Ghana became the hottest destination for African-American travelers What do … 6. c) Gold Coast. The capital City of Ghana is Accra which has a population of approximately 2.273 million people (2015 est.) The name was changed to Ghana because its thought that the present day natives ancestors were migrants from the ancient kingdom of Ghana. It has an abundance of culture with it boasting of at least five major language groups namely; Dagomba, Ewe, Fante, Ashanti and the Ga. Ghanaian people have a distinct sense of fashion, preferring brightly colored fabrics. Agriculture being the main economic activity has seen most people turn to farming. 06 Demonym: Ghanaian. The Ghana Empire from 300 AD to 700 AD was larger than the Ghana we know today. Most of the Ghanaian foods are traditional reflective of the country’s history as well as agriculture. 03 Language: English. This was due to the availability large reserves of gold that were found along river Volta and river Ankobra. Ghana's history prior to the 15th century is concentrated primarily on oral traditions. Archaeological evidence indicates that present-day Ghana has been inhabited for many thousand years. A Short History of the early Ghana Empire (300 – 1200 AD) The Ghana Empire started in 300 AD in Western Africa. 02 Location: Gulf of Guinea, Atlantic Ocean. Different ethnic communities come with different beliefs and different cultures. How was Ghana formerly known? Ghana is a mixed religion state, having people who profess the Christian faith and others who are Muslims. For example, even though polygamy is accepted, it is slowly being replaced by monogamy as people embrace Christian teachings that condemn polygamy. The northern region holds most of the country’s wealth as it is the rich people who occupy a larger part of that area. Ghana truly is a warrior of sorts, as the country has experienced some problems, starting from colonization, which she has managed to overcome. It would seem that the first states of the Akan-speaking peoples who now inhabit most of the forest and coastlands were founded about the 13th century by the settlement, just north of the forest, of migrants coming from the direction of Mande; that the dominant states of northern Ghana, Dagomba, Mamprusi, and their satellites were established by the 15th century by invaders from the Hausa region; that a little later the founders of the Ga and Ewe states of the southeast began to arrive from what is now Nigeria by a more southerly route; and that Gonja, in the centre, was created by Mande conquerors about the beginning of the 17th century. History Timeline- Chronology of Important Events. This was due to the availability large reserves of gold that were found along river Volta and river Ankobra. They contain polished axes and usually coarse pottery. The Akan peoples established the next major civilization, beginning in the 13th century, and then the Ashanti empire flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ghana is located in West Africa and is sandwiched between Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Togo. Which country is to the east of Ghana? Ghana’s port city of Accra is the commercial hub of the country. Christianity has started being widely accepted. Its actual name is Wagadugu Empire and the name “Ghana” was the title accorded to the rulers of the kingdom. b) Togo. European contact with Ghana began in 1470. To understand the country and its people well, we will look into the history, culture and all other interesting facts about Ghana. Ghana was the name that was used as the title of the king who ruled the land which the country now stands on in the medieval times. The empire was most active from the 700s to the 1200s. Feel free to send anything via mail! The recipes from Ghana are appreciated all over the world, Ghanaian people are one of the most literate in Africa, with the literacy level at 76.6%. 46. Ancient Ghana was located hundreds of miles to the north of present-day Ghana between the Senegal and Niger rivers. Ghanaian people are truly the kind of people who are fond of keeping their cultural heritage alive. Tradition tends to present these migrations as movements of whole peoples. a) Accra. The later Akan infiltration into the forest, which then was probably sparsely inhabited, and the Ga and Ewe settlement of the southeast may have been more of mass movements, though in the latter case it is known that the immigrants met and absorbed earlier inhabitants. A Neolithic culture more in Mesolithic tradition was excavated near Abetifi. 1. They like to wear clothes made of silk. The population of its capital city is roughly over two million people, Ghanaian people have a loving for traditional food, Most Ghanaian food is made with plenty of spices. Ghana is a country located in West Africa and its name means warrior. 08 Religion: Christian and Muslim. Food and music in Ghana. Its lands are now partly in Mauritania and partly in Mali. Ghana’s population now stands at over 27,499,924 people. However, it is believed that people may have inhabited what is present-day Ghana from about 1500 BCE. Brief History of Ghana: Ghana used to be called the Gold Coast. There is evidence that parts of modern Ghana north of the forest were being reached by Mande traders (seeking gold dust) by the 14th century and by Hausa merchants (desiring kola nuts) by the 16th century. In certain instances—for example, Dagomba, Mamprusi, and Gonja—it can be shown that the traditions relate in fact to comparatively small bands of invaders who used military and political techniques acquired farther north to impose their rule on already established populations whose own organization was based more on community of kin than on allegiance to political sovereigns. Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence post-colonialism. The modern state of Ghana is named for the African empire that flourished until the 13th century and was situated close to the Sahara in the western Sudan (see Ghana). The struggle for independence in Ghana started after World War II and was initiated by the people who had come from the war. Over the centuries that followed, Gold Coast became the si… Sangoan tools abound in Transvolta and around Accra and extend to Kumasi; the west remained forest and was rarely visited. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In this way the inhabitants of what is now Ghana were influenced by the new wealth and cross-fertilization of ideas that arose in the great empires of the western Sudan following the development of Islamic civilization in northern Africa. The claim that an appreciable proportion of modern Ghana’s people derived from emigrants from the empire cannot be substantiated with the evidence available at present. Ancient Ghana is originally located hundreds of miles at the north of present-day Ghana between the Senegal and Niger rivers. It gained its independence on March 6, 1957. Trade was facilitated by the abundance of iron, copper, … Ghana’s history is marked by very notable events, some of which helped shape Africa’s history. In Transvolta and the west, greenstone hoes are common. Ghana was ranked as Africa’s most peaceful country by the Global Peace Index. Which is the official language of Ghana? 47. In the north, heavily decorated pottery continued later on open sites and mounds indicating clay houses. Thanks for voting for change and giving NDC majority in parliament - Mahama speaks, Breaking News: EC to declare results of 2020 elections today; details drop, Photos of Mahama in good mood in NDC strong room pop up online, 2020 presidential election: EC extends time for declaration of final results, Election 2020: Dzifa Gomashie wins Ketu South seat; becomes first female MP, NPP shaken as Mahama closes gap of Akufo-Addo in results from their own strongroom, 2020 polls: The next gov't is NPP and there would be no run-off - Gabby Otchere Darko, Ghana Facts Life Hacks DIYS and Practical Tips, 5 Best Websites for Finding House for Rent in Accra. The act of polygamy is widely accepted in the country, but in most cases, it is only practiced by the affluent people. This is attributed to its significantly large population. Written sources relate only to Muslim contacts with the empire of Ghana from about the 8th to the 13th century or to the period since European contact with the Gold Coast—i.e., modern Ghana—which began in the 15th century. No satisfactory chronology has been established, nor can existing ethnic groups be identified before the 17th century. African traditional societies were mostly based on strong social structures. Medieval Ghana (4th - 13th Century): The Republic of Ghana is named after the medieval Ghana Empire of West Africa. Our Ghana travel guide includes essential facts about the West African country, including information about its people, climate and key attractions. Of excavated sites, Nsuta, with decorated pottery and bobbin beads, is believed to be early medieval; the Sekondi village and cemetery, with fine pottery, stone axes, and quartz and shell beads, lasted until Portuguese times. More archaeological research, especially into the Iron Age, will undoubtedly do much toward resolving present uncertainties about the early history of modern Ghana, but, for the moment, little more can be said than that the traditions of many of the states into which the country was divided before it came under British rule refer to their people having immigrated to them within the last 600 years either from the north or northwest or from the east or northeast. Not connected geographically to the modern state of Ghana, the Ghana Empire was located in the western Sudan savannah region (modern southern Mauritania and Mali) sandwiched between the Sahara desert to the north and the rainforests to the south. In central Ghana its tools are shapely; near the coast, crude and formless. The northern border is the country Burkina Faso and the southern border is the Gulf of Guinea. The main economic activity in Ghana is agriculture. Ghana s a multi cultured country. All these cultures have been intertwined, by way of marriage and association, to help achieve national unity and encourage development. Key facts… Ghanaians love for food has made them produce the largest open air market in West Africa. History and Ethnic Relations Emergence of the Nation. Ghana has the largest market in West Africa. It was then adopted as the name of the land which was known as Ancient Ghana. Class classification in Ghana still separates people as; royals as the top of the crème, then commoners. It is also called the Wagadou Empire. Prehistoric era As elsewhere in Africa, the climate of Ghana varied during the Pleistocene Epoch (about 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago). The government has been on the fore-front to help curb market malpractices in an effort to rid the economy of the effects of bad market practices. Ghana is mainly flat, but there are hills in the northern part of the country. The government has tried to make the environment conducive for foreign as well as the local people. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in 1470. We'll explore the history of the land and learn about the people, culture, and the rich resources of this country. Lake Volta, in the Volta region of the country, is the world’s largest man-made lake. Ghana was formerly known as the Gold Coast. Ghana has managed to embrace traditionalism and has incorporated it into their laws for example, they have legalized polygamy. What is the capital of Ghana? Humans lived in this African country from 1500 BC, although there is no relation with the people of today. Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, was … ... Today, castle tours and museum exhibits offer an emotional insight into one of the darkest periods of human history. Exotic Waterfalls. Christianity has been accepted and it has led to the gradual facing out of traditional practices. This culture is independent of the Saharan Mesolithic. The main economic crop grown in Ghana is the famous cocoa plant. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 4. The flag of Ghana consists of the colours red, gold, green, and the black star. Ghana has a coastline in the Atlantic Ocean. One of the very interesting facts about Ghana is the fact that Ghana is a country whose people are still using class classification. Ghana is a colonial creation, pieced together from numerous indigenous societies arbitrarily consolidated, and … Gold was the main reason why Ghana was colonized. The Republic of Ghana is named after the medieval West African Ghana Empire. WEST AFRICA, EARLY HISTORY . It also has other religions such as the Rastafarians. The first black president of Ghana was Kwame Nkrumah. In 1946, Ghana had drafted their own constitution. Ghana is endowed with great natural wealth including exotic waterfalls, beaches, … Its official name is the Republic of Ghana. 07 President: John Dramani Mahama. Ghana Facts. 2.5 21st century. The “kente” fashion sense has its roots in Ghana, Ghanaian women love to use beads as a fashion accessory, Ghanaian people enjoy music, dancing and they are a people who love playing the drum, Ghanaian people love food. 01 Capital: Accra. Ghana was known as the center of the gold, ivory, and slave trade during the 17th and 18th centuries Ashanti empire, which rose to power during the late seventeenth century. Its neighbours are Côte d’Ivoire, to the west, Burkina Faso, which lies north, and Togo, to the east. c) 1482. Trade in greenstone for ax manufacture flourished. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea. This is seen by their continued practice of popular traditional activities like marriage ceremonies for the woman that happen before marriage, ceremonies held after harvesting and ceremonies carried out after giving birth. Ghana, country of western Africa, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Culture and tradition of the Ghanaian people of West Africa are mixed especially due to the fact that … On 1 July 1960, Ghana became a commonwealth republic with Nkrumah as the first President of the country. They moved along the Togo mountain range from the Niger River. Ghanaians have a strict cultural practice that they uphold until today, that of being a hospitable people. The Empire appears to have broken up following the 1076 conquest by the Almoravid General Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar. 2.2 European contact (15th century) 2.3 Transition to independence. Such traditions link up with other evidence to suggest that the area that is now Ghana was for many centuries a meeting place for two great streams of western African history. Ghana is named after an ancient gold-trading empire that flourished in the West African interior between the 4th and 10th centuries, when the trans-Sahara caravan route linked the region to the Mediterranean via Timbuktu. 2.4 Operation Cold Chop and aftermath. Ultimately, these streams stemmed from the existence of two major trans-Saharan routes, a western one linking the headwaters of the Niger and Sénégal rivers to Morocco and a more central one linking the region between the Niger Bend and Lake Chad with Tunisia and Tripoli. b) English. Apart from some pebble tools from high river terraces, the first industry is Late Chellean in the southeast. READ ALSO Brief History of Ghana Until Now, Leave your email to receive our newsletter, Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Ghana, Drop your mail and be the first to get fresh news, Kusasi: origin, population, marriage customs, songs, festivals, Agbada fashion for men: 10 things you need to know, Different types of marriages in Ghana – definitions and explanations. In the succeeding pluvial era, the Acheulean culture (see Acheulean industry) is lacking save for the extreme north. Navigate parenthood with the help of the Raising Curious Learners podcast. Ghana is located in west Africa and it boarders Burkina Faso and Togo. European imports are unknown before the 17th century. Cape Coast is located in Ghana’s Central Region, and thanks to its time as a trading post, the location where many slaves were held before being shipped to the Americas, and its colonial history, it is an important focal point of pan-African history. Which is the capital of Ghana? The main Cash crop grown in Ghana is Cocoa. Ghana was a powerful trading empire in western Africa. The person who inherits the widow takes on the role of the husband. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) traditions lingered into the succeeding subpluvial era. At the end of the western route arose the great Mande states, notably the empires of Ghana and Mali, while around the more easterly termini developed Songhai, the Hausa states, and Bornu. This has brought a surplus of food and in turn low prices thus leading to increased poverty levels, The country has been hit by a wave of inflation lately that is affecting development, Foreigners and locals are being encouraged to do business in Ghana. Polished stone was commonly used until the 16th century, especially in the forest. They had finally gotten over the myth of white people invincibility because they had seen them die in world war II. Nkrumah’s administration, the 1966 coup, and the return to civilian rule. It is … Ghana is a country located in West Africa. English is the official national language in Ghana. The country is still struggling in its efforts of becoming a middle income earning nation. Here are some of the fascinating things to know about this historic city. Ghana is largely a plain but it has some distinct hills.
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