Gold - Ghana's Most Treasured Possession

Ghana has seen much of highs and lows on journey to becoming The Republic of Ghana from Wagadugu. History lovers really need to grab a cheap flight to Accra. The history of Ghana dates back to the medieval times of 4th century to the 13th century.

It was during those times that Ghana earned its wealth from gold and trade. Through this culture, Wagadugu developed the capital city of Kumbi Saleh, which became the hub of trade in West Africa. Later, another commercial hub, namely Audaghust, came into being.

According to historians, ancient Ghana is located 500 miles north of where Ghana is located today. It was not until the 12th century that a great famine broke out in the country and that is where the fall of Ghana's gold mining started. This time also saw a great loss in livestock population.

Adding to this famine, the increasing influence and intervention of Muslims from Northern Africa is considered a reason for Ghana's fall. The leniency of the King is also blamed. The matter of Islamic intervention, however, is not very authentic according to written history. In addition, the King's inspiration from Islamic trading is believed to have made him loose his trading ethics, automatically bringing Muslims into power. A ray of hope of Ghana gaining back its old status was seen when, in the 11th and 12th centuries, new gold mines were discovered outside of Kumbi Saleh and Audaghust. Unluckily, this excavation rather became a reason for fights over Ghana until it was finally conquered by the great Mali Empire.

In the 15th century, Europeans started entering Ghana, the Portuguese being the first. In 1481, the Portuguese and in 1598, the Dutch built their forts in Ghana which were designed to conduct gold, ivory and slave trade. The Portuguese could not carry this on for very long when in 1637, the Dutch captured their castle. By the 18th century, the coastal areas of Ghana had been filled with British, Dutch and Swede castles. Astounded by the richness of its gold mines, the British named Ghana, Gold Coast while the ornaments worn by the locals made French to call it The Ivory Coast (la Cote d'Ivore). Gradually, all the European conquerors withdrew leaving behind Ghana in the hands of British.

Disagreements broke out between different groups and tribes of Ghana with the British. The Ghanaians saw their interests and traditions being sidelined under the British rule. The people of Ghana felt lack of political freedom and high ignorance by the rulers. No effective health and education policies were made by the British, their behavior was rude and discrimination between skin color lead to racism against the locals. The locals were not paid well and even the British, who were working under some local, considered themselves superior to their bosses. The British hostility led to an uproar amongst the Ghanaians. Pan-African conscience aroused which was nurtured by leaders from Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Finally, a Ghanaian political party named as United Gold Coast Conversion (UGCC) was formed by Dr J.B. Danquah in 1947. Other leadership of the party included George Grant, Akuffo Addo, William Ofori Atta, Obetsebi Lamptey, Ako Agyei, and J Tsiboe. Fights for the rights started. India-Pakistan independence further energized the feelings of locals. Finally, on 6 March 1957, Gold Coast was set independent by the British and Ghana emerged on the world map as an independent state.