Introduction to ghana learn about ghana fun facts, a little history, a little geography with these printable pages for kids. However, it is believed that people may have inhabited what is presentday ghana from about 1500 bce. In 1957, when the leaders of the former british colony of the gold coast sought an appropriate name for their newly independent statethe first black african nation to gain its independence from colonial rulethey named their new country after ancient ghana. History, language and culture in ghana world travel guide. They built a permanent trading base call elmina castle in 1482. List of books and articles about ghana history online. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval west african ghana empire. Nkrumah regime of the ghana education trust schools, state corporations, roads. Provides statistics, facts, articles and photos concerning poverty in africa. Much was expected and hoped for from ghana at independence, but like all new countries during the cold war, ghana faced. The earliest history of this african nation can be traced back to 1500 bc with the arrival of the dagombas people along with the akans, the gas and the ewes. Ghana is named after an ancient goldtrading empire that flourished in the west african interior between the 4th and 10th centuries, when the transsahara caravan route linked the region to the mediterranean via timbuktu. Ghana is a colonial creation, pieced together from numerous indigenous societies arbitrarily consolidated, and sometimes divided, according to european interests. The history of the gold coast before the last quarter of the 15th century is.
Ghana quiz questions and answers general knowledge quizzes. Ghana is a country that has a rich culture, a diverse ecosystem, and beautiful landscapes. Today, the banking system in ghana has seen a wide range of policies implemented to keep up with the western world. In 1960 ghana became a republic, with nkrumah as president, and in 1964 a oneparty state, the cpp being the sole authorised party. The portuguese were the first europeans to arrive in 1470. The name was changed to ghana because its thought that the present day natives ancestors were migrants from the ancient kingdom of ghana.
It was also the first black african nation in the region to achieve independence from a colonial power, in this instance britain. Ghana flag with thick red, yellow, and green stripe and black star in the. To appreciate why ghanas modern history unfolded in this way, it is necessary. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about ghana s geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. Here is some general information about you new host country the flag the coat of arms the national anthem maps data on ghana introduction geography climate people education history ghanas presidents government and political conditions economy foreign relations links the flag of ghana. History early history to independence in precolonial times the area of presentday ghana comprised a number of independent kingdoms, including gonja and dagomba in the north, ashanti in the interior, and the fanti states along the coast.
Learn more about the ghana economy, including the population of ghana, gdp, facts, trade, business, inflation and other data and analysis on its economy from the index of economic freedom. A brief history of ghana since independence thoughtco. With greater precipitation, the forest spread northward and humans retreated toward the sahara. Geographically, the ancient ghana empire was approximately 500 miles 800 km north and west of the modern state of ghana, and controlled territories in the area of the senegal river and east towards the niger rivers, in modern senegal, mauritania and mali. Ghana was known as the center of the gold, ivory, and slave trade during the 17th and 18th centuries. In fact, these were the same individuals who had suffered under the old regime and were. Viewing the unique animals and various species of butterflies, insects, and plants is enough to draw any visitor in. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval ghana empire of west africa.
Ghana gained independence from the british on 6 march 1957. Commission, the university of ghana was set up by an act of parliament on october 1, 1961 act 79. Ghana, country of western africa, situated on the coast of the gulf of guinea. Culture of ghana history, people, clothing, traditions. After independence, its name changed to ghana, and the first president was kwame nkrumah. Ghana was the first place in subsaharan africa where europeans arrived to trade first in gold, later in slaves. Ghana history, language and culture history of ghana.
Ghana was the first country to gain independence in west africa from the british people. Ashanti empire, which rose to power during the late seventeenth century. In 1482 the first european fort was established by the portuguese at elmina. The year 1957 marked the independence of the gold coast from the british and was known as the republic of ghana. Ghanas history prior to the 15th century is concentrated primarily on oral traditions. Did you know we have the biggest market in west africa. Ghana was the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom. Although relatively small in area and population, ghana is one of the leading countries of africa and is celebrated for its rich history. Class classification in ghana still separates people as. All converts were taught the gospel in their own language and trained in leadership skills. Ghana was ranked as africas most peaceful country by the global peace index.
Gold coast british colony, history of ghana 19661979. History of ghana gold coast british colony, history of ghana 19661979, elmina castle, ghana empire, ashanti empire, angloashanti wars, john kufuor, osei kofi tutu i, kofi abrefa busia, ignatius kutu acheampong alphascript publishing. Oct 14, 2019 the three colors of the flag red, green, and black and the black star in the middle are all symbolic of the panafricanist movement. The economy of ghana has a diverse and rich resource base, including the manufacturing and exportation of digital technology goods, automotive and ship construction and exportation, and the exportation of diverse and rich resources such as hydrocarbons and industrial minerals. Other popularly celebrated ceremonies are like the age ceremonies for girls which take place before marriage or giving birth. Facts, geography about the west african nation of ghana. Pdf understanding an institutions historical conception and its subsequent role. The leading role of government was seen as justified by the fact that since the. This was a key theme in the early history of ghana s independence.
In ghana, it is a traditional practice that seasons like harvesting have to be accompanied by ceremonies. View images some houses are built along the water in accra, ghanas largest city. The color gold was influenced by the mineral rich nature of ghana lands. Ghana achieved independence within the commonwealth on 6 march 1957. These have given ghana one of the highest gdp per capita in west africa.
Find out some facts about ghana to fill in the gaps, and then use the rest of this simple worksheet to record what else you have learned about the african country. Current profile the university of ghana, the premier university and the largest university in ghana was founded as the university college of the gold coast by ordinance on august 11, 1948 for the purpose of providing and. Ghana statistics and church facts total church membership. Ghana is a colonial creation, pieced together from numerous indigenous societies arbitrarily consolidated, and. Oral history and other sources suggest that the ancestors of some of ghana s residents. View images some houses are built along the water in accra, ghana s largest city. However, less than a year later, nkrumah was removed by military coup, the first of four coups. One of the very interesting facts about ghana is the fact that ghana is a country whose people are still using class classification. Ghana, formerly known as the gold coast, was the first african country to the south of the sahara to gain political independence from colonial rule in 1957. History and ethnic relations emergence of the nation. The gold coast was the first british colony in africa to become independent. Two of the most famous people to come from the country are john dumelo and kofi annan. Within a year more than 400 people had been baptized and branches small congregations were organized. Add to that a long list of historical landmarks, and its easy to see why ghana is one of the most unique countries on the planet.
In 1482, the portuguese built a trading settlement there. For the next 25 years, ghana was typically governed by military rulers with varying economic impacts. It was controlled by sundiata in 1240 ad, and absorbed into the larger mali empire. Ancient ghana is originally located hundreds of miles at the north of presentday ghana between the senegal and niger rivers. Ghana s history prior to the 15th century is concentrated primarily on oral traditions. As elsewhere in africa, the climate of ghana varied during the pleistocene epoch about 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago. Ghana was the first country in subsaharan africa to gain independence postcolonialism. If thats not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. Ghanas first president, kwame nkrumah, was ousted nine years after independence. On june 14, 1989, ghana s government expelled the missionaries and banned the church. Ghana is located in west africa and is sandwiched between cote divoire ivory coast and togo. Its actual name is wagadugu empire and the name ghana was the title accorded to the rulers of the kingdom.
List of famous ghanaian leaders with their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history. The republic of ghana is a small country on the western coast of south africa that is rich in resources, has great schools, and is home to people who love soccer. Ghana is a subregion of west africa, located along the gulf of guinea and atlantic ocean. Ghana succumbed to attacks by its neighbors in the 11th century, but its name and reputation endured. Infoplease has everything you need to know about ghana.
Famous ghanaian leaders famous people in history, famous. It was then adopted as the name of the land which was known as ancient ghana. Ghana facts facts about ghana summary facts about ghana tell us that it is home to the largest open air market in west africa, and is a place of religious fairness and tolerance. Further, the fact that dces are political appointees not civil servants confirms that. Ghana north of the forest zone was inhabited as early as 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. This presentation on the empire of ghana was created for the 7th graders at kipp sf bay academy. The country returned to democratic rule in 1992 and has built a reputation as a stable, liberal economy.
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