history of Ghana

Images

Map of Ghana showing international boundaries, major cities, rivers, and neighboring countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, and a small section of Benin and Nigeria. The map includes a locator inset highlighting Ghana's position on the west coast of Africa along the Atlantic Ocean.

Map of western Africa showing the greatest territorial extent of major historical states from the 11th to 16th centuries. The 14th-century Kingdom of Mali is outlined in green, the 16th-century Songhai Empire in purple, and the 16th-century Hausa Bakwai states in red. Major cities, rivers, and regional names are labeled within and around these territories.

Map of western Africa showing the locations and territorial extents of major kingdoms and peoples from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Hausa Bakwai states are outlined in orange, representing their largest area in the 17th-18th centuries, while the Fulani kingdom is outlined in green, showing its 19th-century peak. Major cities, rivers, and regions such as the Niger and Benue Rivers, the Bauchi Highlands, and the Adamawa Plateau are labeled for context.

Map of western Africa in the late 19th century showing areas under French and British control in 1880, and illustrating the advance of French, British, and German colonial forces with dated arrows. French-controlled territory is shaded green and British-controlled territory is shaded purple, with major advances and key cities labeled. Boundaries between mandates established in 1919 are also marked, and an inset locates the region within Africa.

Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence

Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia.

history of Ghana: Media

Images

Ghana

Flag of Ghana.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of Ghana showing international boundaries, major cities, rivers, and neighboring countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, and a small section of Benin and Nigeria. The map includes a locator inset highlighting Ghana's position on the west coast of Africa along the Atlantic Ocean.

Ghana

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of western Africa showing the greatest territorial extent of major historical states from the 11th to 16th centuries. The 14th-century Kingdom of Mali is outlined in green, the 16th-century Songhai Empire in purple, and the 16th-century Hausa Bakwai states in red. Major cities, rivers, and regional names are labeled within and around these territories.

Principal kingdoms and peoples of western Africa, 11th–16th centuries

Map showing the principal kingdoms (at their greatest territorial extent) and peoples...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Elmina Castle

Elmina Castle

The fortress of São Jorge de Mina, later known as Elmina Castle, built in 1482 as...

Courtesy of the Universitätsbibliothek, Heidelberg, Ger.

Map of western Africa showing the locations and territorial extents of major kingdoms and peoples from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Hausa Bakwai states are outlined in orange, representing their largest area in the 17th-18th centuries, while the Fulani kingdom is outlined in green, showing its 19th-century peak. Major cities, rivers, and regions such as the Niger and Benue Rivers, the Bauchi Highlands, and the Adamawa Plateau are labeled for context.

Principal kingdoms and peoples of western Africa, 17th–19th century

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kumasi

Kumasi

The capital of the Asante empire, Kumasi, located on western Africa's Gold Coast,...

From The Countries of the World by Robert Brown, 1876

Map of western Africa in the late 19th century showing areas under French and British control in 1880, and illustrating the advance of French, British, and German colonial forces with dated arrows. French-controlled territory is shaded green and British-controlled territory is shaded purple, with major advances and key cities labeled. Boundaries between mandates established in 1919 are also marked, and an inset locates the region within Africa.

European penetration into western Africa in the late 19th century

Map showing European-controlled territories and advances in western Africa in the...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia.

Colonization of Africa by European countries

Map showing the colonization of Africa by European countries in the early 1900s....

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah

Pres. Kwame Nkrumah, pictured here at the White House, Washington, D.C., March 8...

Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

Ghana's President Jerry John Rawlings, wearing a white shirt and glasses, speaks at a podium with United Nations insignia.

Jerry J. Rawlings

Ghanaian Pres. Jerry J. Rawlings addressing the United Nations Millennium Summit,...

Susan Markisz/UN Photo

John Kufuor

John Kufuor

Ghanaian Pres. John Kufuor, shown here in 2008.

Gregory Jones, U.S. Army/U.S. Department of Defense

John Evans Atta Mills, President of Ghana, wearing a dark pinstripe suit and glasses, smiles in front of a United Nations emblem.

John Evans Atta Mills

Ghanaian Pres. John Evans Atta Mills, shown here in 2009.

Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo

President John Mahama, wearing a white robe, speaks at a podium with Ghana's coat of arms and two microphones during his inauguration in Accra, Ghana.

John Mahama

Pres. John Mahama after taking the oath of office, Accra, Ghana, January 7, 2013.

Pius Utomi Ekpei—AFP/Getty Images

Ghanaian president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo speaks at a podium with the United Nations emblem, addressing the General Assembly in New York City.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

Ghanaian Pres. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressing the United Nations General...

Cia Pak/UN Photo

Interactives

Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence

Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence

Learn about the colonization of Africa, the process of decolonization that led to...

© Encyclopaedia Britannica