History of british gold coast the british colony in west africa, 18211957 the gold coast was a british colony on the gulf of guinea in west africa that became the independent nation of ghana in 1957. The book includes sections on physical and political geography, political history, social and political conditions, and economic conditions. Based on records, he took methodism from the coastal areas to kumasi in the asante hinterland of the gold coast between 1838 and 1857 and also founded methodist societies in nigeria with the help of william degraft. Ghana during the colonial period and when it achieved. While ghana was under colonial rule, it was known as the gold coast. Initially europes main interest in the country was as a source of gold, a commodity that was readily available on the coast in exchange for such european exports as cloth. History of ghana gold coast british colony, history of ghana 19661979, elmina castle, ghana empire, ashanti empire, angloashanti. This was a colony run by people who rarely had the knowledge to run it.
Gold coast is a former british colony in west africa known today as the republic of ghana. Jun 15, 2018 incorporating these large areas into the ashanti empire made the domain stretch to encompass most of modernday ghana. Nkrumah was appointed leader of the gold coast s government business. Ghana gold coast, 18461939 british online archives. 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. Trade was begun, largely in gold and slaves, and intense competition developed among.
First published in 1889, this history became an outofprint classic, and is now brought back into print. The history of ashanti kings and the whole country itself and other writings. When the first europeans arrived in the late fifteenth century, many inhabitants of the gold coast area were striving to consolidate their newly. The history of the gold coast, during the first eighty years after the imperial government first assumed control of the british settlements in the. The book includes sections on physical and political geography, political history, social. Ghana contact with europe and its effects britannica.
The history of ghana the greenwood histories of the. The history of the gold coast, during the first eighty years after the imperial government first assumed control of the british settlements in the territory i 1821n wa, s one of many vicissitudes and. The colonys drive for independence was led by nationalist and panafrican leader kwame nkrumah, who viewed ghana s sovereignty as being important not only for the ghanaian people but for all of africa. Osagyefo dr kwame nkrumah elected as first prime minister of the gold coast today in history kesse march 21, 2020 1 today in history, exactly 68 years ago, on 21.
List of books and articles about ghana history online research. Nkrumah is invited back to the gold coast to become general secretary of the united gold coast convention, an organization campaigning for selfgovernment. Colonial rule transformed what was known as the gold coast economically, socially, and politically, but it contained the seeds of its own demise. A political history of ghana the rise of gold coast.
The history and heritage of the gold coast is important to us, and so we celebrate and preserve it for future generations. The commission issued a blue book in july 1987 outlining modalities for districtlevel elections, which were held in. Nkrumah won a majority in the gold coast legislative election, 1951 for the gold coast legislative assembly in 1952. Gold coast mission history, 14711880 reprint by wiltgen, ralph m. Returning african christians in mission to the gold coast. This overview of gold coast history has been compiled from interviews with local history librarians, longterm residents and assistance from the gold coast city council local aborigines referred to the queensland south coast as kurrungul, a name derived from their word for endless supplies of timber, and the region was said to be a meeting place where tribes would come together. Whether discussing the asante kingdom and the gold coasts importance to european commerce and transatlantic slaving, ghanas brief period under british colonial rule, or the emergence of its modern democracy, the volumes. The ghana national football team represents ghana in mens international football and has done so since the 1950s. The history of ghana the greenwood histories of the modern nations 97803318948. Although relatively small in area and population, ghana is one of the leading countries of africa and is celebrated for its rich history. The empire became the gold coasts largest trader of captives, gold and ivory. The gold coast has a unique and diverse cultural heritage, shaped by indigenous ownership, european settlement of the hinterland, followed by waves of arrivals from around the world and eventual development of the coastal strip.
The gold coast was the name for a region on the gulf of guinea in west africa that was rich in gold and also in petroleum, sweet crude oil and natural gas. The gold coast region declared independence from the united kingdom on 6 march 1957 and established the nation of ghana. A history of the gold coast accessrestricteditem true. The history of cape coast castle and the atlantic slave trade by. Gold coast, section of the coast of the gulf of guinea, in africa. Ghanas history the gold coast colonial independence. The history of ghana in a snap the history of ghana goes far back into the th century. The republic of ghana was formerly known as the gold coast until midnight march 6th 1957, when it was liberated from the hands of the british. Understanding the traditional art of ghana by emmanuel v asihene out of print try used books.
A concise history from precolonial times to the 20th century. It is the first of several such coups in ghanas short history, but the nation remains true to the hope of democracy. Every one who writes on gold coast history should begin, after the fashion of the country, by pouring a libation and sacrificing a sheep in honour of dr. Ghana, officially republic of ghana, republic 2015 est. History of the ashanti empire, ghana africa youtube. Annual report on the gold coast annual 19311953 online free. In 1471, the portuguese invaded this area and became involved in gold trade, giving the region. Ghana, country of western africa, situated on the coast of the gulf of guinea. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. According to the history books, 100 years ago on sept.
History of the ashanti empire, ghana africa subscribe to from nothing channel s. Buy the history of ghana greenwood histories of the modern nations by roger s. A man called thomas birch freeman, who came into gold coast in 1838 is said to have expanded christianity in ghana. Ghanas history the gold coast colonial independence from. The gold coast republic of ghanas history 19451966 under the first prime minister and then president osagyefo dr. It was a british colony until march 6, 1957, when it became independent as the state of ghana. It is administered by the ghana football association, the governing body for football in ghana and the oldest football association in africa founded in 1920. In 1957, when the leaders of the former british colony of the gold coast sought an appropriate name for their. Modernday ghana, which gained its independence on march 6, 1957, consists primarily of the former gold coast. The history of ghana greenwood histories of the modern nations.
A life in the political history of ghana memoirs of alhaki mumuni bawumia by alhaji mumuni bawumia. In 1931, danquah established the times of west africa, originally called the west africa times, which was the first daily newspaper in. Colonial rule transformed what was known as the gold coast economically, socially, and politically. Mumuni bawumia served as a member of parliament and government minister in ghanas first independence government, working closely with kwame nkrumah through to the period of the fourth republic.
These statistics tell the history of ghana through its population data, accounts and lists of the colonys officers. The ugcc has won the right in 1946 for an african majority in the colonys legislative assembly, but the fight is now on for a share in executive power. A survey of the gold coast and british togoland, 19191946. Early european contact and the slave trade ghanaweb. Kwame nkrumah was born on 21 september 1909 in nkroful, gold coast now in ghana to a poor and illiterate family. Claridge, whose monumental history of the gold coast and ashanti is not likely to be superseded. Although relatively small in area and population, ghana is one of the leading. Covering 500 years of ghanas history, the ghana reader provides a multitude of historical, political, and cultural perspectives on this iconic african nation. He headed the country from independence in 1957 until he was overthrown by a coup in 1966.
Modernday ghana was formed when the britishadministered part of togoland voted to join the gold coast in an independent state, in a unsupervised plebiscite in may 1956. Marking the beginning of the slaves perilous journey during the era of the slave trade, these fortresses were the last memory slaves had of their homeland before being shipped off across the atlantic, never to return again. Take a close look at the coast of ghana, and you will find myriad ancient castles and forts. This was a key theme in the early history of ghanas independence. Aug 20, 2018 history of the ashanti empire, ghana africa subscribe to from nothing channel s. Gold coast british colony, history of ghana 19661979. A notable challenge was a decadelong war with akyem, whose defeat in 1742 spread the ashantis political and economic domination to the coast.
The gold coast in the 1950s was a country with the highest level of education in the whole of subsaharan africa. A concise history from pre colonial times to the 20th century. In 1482 the first european fort was established by the portuguese at elmina. West coast british west africa ghana gold coast history ebooks to read online or download in epub or pdf format on your mobile device and pc. Casely hayford found the gold coast youth conference gcyc and was secretary general from 1937 to 1947. The gold coast is essentially a country of agriculturists, of people living on the land.
David owusuansah historical dictionary of ghana african historical dictionarieshistorical dictionaries of. It highlights the pivotal role they played in setting an example of a christian lifestyle. History of the gold coast and asante, based on traditions and historical facts. History of ghana including the gold coast, colonial period, independence. A history of the gold coast of west africa internet archive. The gold coast supplied many of the civil servants working in nigeria. To the educated coinmiiiiity in the gold coast colony. Nkroful was a small village in the nzema area, in the far southwest of the gold coast, close to the frontier with the french colony of the ivory coast. Bear friends, the sole object of this publication is, to call the attention of all you my friends and countiymen, to the study and collection of our history, and to create a basis for a future more complete history of the gold coast. A history of the gold coast and ashanti 1915 davidson, basil.
Data on ghana introduction geography climate people education history ghanas presidents government and political conditions economy foreign relations links the flag of ghana. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval west african ghana empire. The gold coast of africa the gold coast, now known as ghana, is one of many civilizations of africa. A revolution in ghanaian history was initiated by the establishment of direct sea trade with europe following the arrival on the coast of portuguese mariners in 1471. It extends approximately from axim, ghana, or nearby cape three points, in the west to the volta river in the east and is so called because it was an important source of gold. Sep 02, 2012 the gold coast republic of ghana s history 19451966 under the first prime minister and then president osagyefo dr. A history of the gold coast of west africa alfred burdon ellis snippet view 1969.
Modern ghana comprises the former british colony of the gold coast and the former mandated territory of british togoland. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval ghana empire of west africa. Read more about the shocking history of ghanas slave fortresses and their. He was born on 17th january 1886 when he was a young man, samuel wood won a drawing contest which was sponsored by an english newspaper, the sheffield weekly. The gold coast presentday ghana was comprised of the gold coast colony, bordering the gulf of guinea, and two inland territories, ashanti and the northern territories protectorate. Kwame nkrumah, ghanaian nationalist leader who led the gold coasts drive for independence from britain and presided over its emergence as the new nation of ghana. On 6 march 1957 the former gold coast colony came to the end of its road to independence and celebrated its entry into the family of autonomous nations as the state of ghana. Ghana achieved independence within the commonwealth on 6 march 1957.
The work has been used as an authority in the law courts of ghana, where customs and their usages are relevant to interpretation of the law. History of the gold coast and asante classic reprint. This volume is quite comprehensive, spanning the history of. Ghana s fourth republic, established in 1993, has dealt with the legacy of instability inherited from the past as it moves towards a more stable future.
History of the gold coast and asante, based on traditions. A history of the gold coast of west africa alfred burdon ellis snippet view 1971. The color red commemorates those who died or worked for the countrys independence. All texts of this book are extracted from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ghana from gold coast to independence by john carmichael out of print try used books. 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. Ghana, the road to independence, 19191957 revised edition. An area of intense colonial rivalry from the 17th century, it was acquired by the british in the 19th. Any of the main book shops, but especially the bookshops in the 3 main universities in accralegon, kumasi, and cape coast are the best places to find books published in ghana and elsewhere on ghana. The gold coast presentday ghana was comprised of the gold coast. Scouting first came to ghana in the year 1911 by samuel wood of cape coast. Though i have gone direct to many of the sources which dr. Claridge used, i have based great parts of my narrative on his, particularly when.
Land and people modern ghana comprises the former british colony of the gold coast and the former mandated territory of british togoland. In four decades ghana establishes as many new republics. The records start in 1846, but ghana didnt have a trained statistician until 1949. A timeline, photographs, maps, and an appendix of biographies of notable figures in the history of ghana are included.
The team is nicknamed the black stars after the black star of africa in the flag of ghana. List of books and articles about ghana history online. Most of my favorite books on ghana and west africa were found there, while i lived there. The book is recommended for collections in african history, but also as a valuable asset to any basic library reference collection. The color gold was influenced by the mineral rich nature of. A brief history of the basel mission in the gold coast the basel mission bm was founded in the swiss city of basel in 1815. The gold coast was a british colony on the gulf of guinea in west africa from 1867 to its independence as the nation of ghana in 1957 the first european explorers to arrive at the coast were the portuguese in 1471. Colonial rule transformed what was known as the gold coast economically, socially, and. A history of the gold coast accessrestricteditem true addeddate 20190517 12. Gocking provides a historical overview of ghana from the emergence of precolonial states through increasing contact with europeans that led to the establishment of formal colonial rule by great britian at the end of the 19th century.
Fiction and nonfiction books set completely or at least partially in ghana. From gold coast to ghana a country at a crossroads 58 years after independence written by ade sawyerr 06032015 08. Ghana gold coast, 18461939 british online archives microform. From gold coast to ghana a country at a crossroads 58.
It is bordered by the cote divoire on the west, burkina faso on the north, and togo on the east. We have a unique and diverse cultural heritage which has been shaped by indigenous ownership, european settlement, two world wars and new arrivals from all parts of the world. A timeline history of the gold coast, queensland australia. At the time of the mapping, queensland was not a state but was still part of.