Ghana

revised 15 October 1998

DVDs on African art by Professor Christopher D. Roy

Arts of Ghana
The Death of an African King

Ghana Information

Map of Ghana with the peoples discussed in "Art and Life in Africa" CD-ROM

General Information for Ghana

Country:

Ghana

Location:

West Africa

Independence:

March 6, 1957

Nationality:

Ghanaian

Capital City:

Accra

Population:

19,533,560

Important Cities:

Kumassi, Tema, Tamale

Head of State:

President John Kufuor

Area:

238,540 sq.km.

Type of Government:

Constitutional Democracy

Currency:

9,000 cedis=1 USD

Major peoples:

Asante,Fanti,Ewe,Dagomba,Ga, Akan

Religion:

African religion 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, Others 8%

Climate:

Tropical to semiarid

Literacy:

64.5%

Official Language:

English

Principal Languages:

Akan, Ewe, Ga, Moshi-Dagomba

Major Exports:

Gold, Diamonds, Manganese, Fish, Cocoa, Timber, Aluminum

Pre-Colonial History

The history of the Gold Coast before 15th century is based on oral traditions recorded early in this century. The first contact between Europe and the Gold Coast dates from 1470 when Portuguese landed. In 1482, the Portuguese built Elmina Castle as a trading base. The first English trading voyage to the coast was made by Thomas Windham in 1553. During the next three centuries, the English, Danes, Dutch, Germans, and Portuguese controlled various parts of the coastal areas. In 1821, the British Government took control of the British forts on the Gold Coast. In 1844, Fanti chiefs signed an agreement with British that became the stepping stone to colonial status. From 1826 to 1900, the British fought a series of campaigns against the Asantes. In 1902 the British succeeded in colonizing the Asante region and making the northern territories a protectorate. In December 1946, British Togoland became a United Nations Trust territory, and in 1957, the United Nations agreed that the territory would become part of Ghana when the Gold Coast achieved independence.

Post-Colonial History

Ghana became independent on March 6, 1957, when Great Britain relinquished its control over the Colony of the Gold Coast and Asante, the Northern Territories Protectorate, and British Togoland. After independence, the CPP Government under Kwame Nkrumah sought to develop Ghana as a modern, semi-industrialized, socialist state. In 1966, the Ghanaian Army and police overthrew Nkrumah's regime. The leaders of 1966 coup established the new government around the National Liberation Council (NLC) and pledged an early return to a duly constituted civilian government. Ghana's government returned to civilian authority under the Second Republic in October 1969 after a parliamentary election in which the Progress Party won. On August 31, 1970, Edward Akufo-Addo was elected President of Ghana. In 1972, military officers seized power in a bloodless coup and formed the National Redemption Council (NRC). Jerry Rawlings served as Chief of State from 1981 to 2000, when John Kufuor was elected in popular elections. In the years since 1980 Ghana has become a relatively prosperous, well-governed country whose people are poor but work hard and have made progress. It is culturally and historically rich.and among the most pleasant countries in Africa to visit.

Country:	Ghana
Location:	West Africa
Independence:	March 6, 1957
Nationality:	Ghanaian
Capital City:	Accra
Population:	19,533,560
Important Cities:	Kumassi, Tema, Tamale
Head of State:	President John Kufuor
Area:	238,540 sq.km.
Type of Government:	Constitutional Democracy
Currency:	9,000 cedis=1 USD
Major peoples:	Asante,Fanti,Ewe,Dagomba,Ga, Akan
Religion:	African religion 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, Others 8%
Climate:	Tropical to semiarid
Literacy:	64.5%
Official Language:	English
Principal Languages:	Akan, Ewe, Ga, Moshi-Dagomba
Major Exports:	Gold, Diamonds, Manganese, Fish, Cocoa, Timber, Aluminum
Pre-Colonial History	The history of the Gold Coast before 15th century is based on oral traditions recorded early in this century. The first contact between Europe and the Gold Coast dates from 1470 when Portuguese landed. In 1482, the Portuguese built Elmina Castle as a trading base. The first English trading voyage to the coast was made by Thomas Windham in 1553. During the next three centuries, the English, Danes, Dutch, Germans, and Portuguese controlled various parts of the coastal areas. In 1821, the British Government took control of the British forts on the Gold Coast. In 1844, Fanti chiefs signed an agreement with British that became the stepping stone to colonial status. From 1826 to 1900, the British fought a series of campaigns against the Asantes. In 1902 the British succeeded in colonizing the Asante region and making the northern territories a protectorate. In December 1946, British Togoland became a United Nations Trust territory, and in 1957, the United Nations agreed that the territory would become part of Ghana when the Gold Coast achieved independence.
Post-Colonial History	Ghana became independent on March 6, 1957, when Great Britain relinquished its control over the Colony of the Gold Coast and Asante, the Northern Territories Protectorate, and British Togoland. After independence, the CPP Government under Kwame Nkrumah sought to develop Ghana as a modern, semi-industrialized, socialist state. In 1966, the Ghanaian Army and police overthrew Nkrumah's regime. The leaders of 1966 coup established the new government around the National Liberation Council (NLC) and pledged an early return to a duly constituted civilian government. Ghana's government returned to civilian authority under the Second Republic in October 1969 after a parliamentary election in which the Progress Party won. On August 31, 1970, Edward Akufo-Addo was elected President of Ghana. In 1972, military officers seized power in a bloodless coup and formed the National Redemption Council (NRC). Jerry Rawlings served as Chief of State from 1981 to 2000, when John Kufuor was elected in popular elections. In the years since 1980 Ghana has become a relatively prosperous, well-governed country whose people are poor but work hard and have made progress. It is culturally and historically rich.and among the most pleasant countries in Africa to visit.