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Ghana 2012 —

Ghana , in the long form Republic of Ghana , in English Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa located along the Gulf of Guinea . Neighboring countries of Ghana is the Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east. Its capital is the city of Accra and its inhabitants are Ghanaians . The country is part of the ECOWAS . The official language is the English one , the original language franca is the Twi and the currency the cedi . But Ghana is already an observer member of the OIF and gives also an increasingly important place in French 2 . Modern Ghana has no geographical or historical direct links with the Empire of Ghana . The first, former Gold Hill , was renamed in honor of the second by Kwame Nkrumah at the time of independence. The colonial name of Gold Coast comes from the numerous gold mines of the country before being operated by British settlers, German, Dutch and French, were extensively used by the ethnic Ashanti , which keeps the tradition of beautiful gold jewelry, a tradition that has spread also among neighboring ethnic Abron . One of the leading politicians of Ghana was the Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah . The former president of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor , was elected to a second term in December 2004 . In December 2008, the presidential election, which could be represented Kufuor, went hcg smoothly. Very tight, it was won by John Atta-Mills, a lawyer of 64 years after his opponent, Nana Akufo-Addo, had conceded defeat. The transfer of power between Kufuor and Atta-Mills was held January wedding rings 7, 2009.

The history of the part of Africa will become the Ghana today is relatively unknown before life insurance quote 1500. Archaeological research has shown that human settlement is very old as well on the coast and inland. Recent research has highlighted, in the forest zone, the presence of sites of habitat surrounded by deep ditches dating from between the VII th and XIV th century AD. This type of site, which is also known from best auto insurance the Ivory Coast to Nigeria , testify to the existence of a settled civilization mastering the iron, probably living culture of the yam and the operation of oil palm, and particularly well adapted to the forest environment. These sites were brutally abandoned XIV th century. The Black Death and its devastating consequences on demography, well known in Europe and North Africa at the same time and with the study sub-Saharan Africa remains to be done, could be the cause of these changes on a large scale. Nearly a century and a half later, so it’s a very different society and probably still web hosting reviews marked by the chaos that struck earlier generations, which hosts the first Portuguese ships. They have reached this part of the coast for the first time in 1471. They found gold to be exchanged against manufactured goods from Europe and therefore called this stretch of coastline, the Gold Coast or Côte de la Mine (Costa da Mina). To protect the trade of gold merchants interlopers from other European nations, in 1482 they built an imposing fortress, St. George de la Mine (Sao Jorge da Mina) in the village of Edina (Elmina) . This fortress will remain the headquarters of the Portuguese until 1637, when the Dutch dislodge them, establishing itself as the dominant European power on the Coast. They will remain until the year 1870 when they transfer their possessions to the English. The latter will then Buy Phen375 launch the process of colonization of land located in the interior, including the Ashanti (Asante). The presence of soldiers and merchants and European missionaries on the Gold Coast should not conceal the complex How to Unlock iPhone history of African political entities of which they were the hosts. The XVI th to XIX th century, many entities develop, negotiate, come together and compete to dominate the trade and ensure their political domination. This story is marked by great diversity and inventiveness in terms of socio-political constructions. The trade in gold and slaves, which surpasses in volume from the turn of the XVIII th century play a key role in understanding the local politics. This story has been the subject of numerous monographs, some in French. Ghana was a British colony known as Gold Coast (Gold Coast). After the First World War, the Gold Coast grew from one part of German Togoland . (The other part was given to France already present in Dahomey (Benin), and form the Togo contemporary). Ghana has been independent since 6  March  1957 . XX th century

Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) was a politician who led Ghana to independence. To achieve this goal, it calls for boycott and civil disobedience , which he was imprisoned by the British until 1951 . That same year, the British authorities organize parliamentary elections were won by the CPP 3 . Nkrumah, who was released, Bankruptcy was appointed prime minister and is working closely with British authorities 4 . Based on the policy of “Africanization of the administration of pan-Africanism and anti-” 4 , he decided to develop the infrastructure of his country with surpluses of Cocoa Marketing Board 4 . Thus, the field of education 5 and the health payday loan record real progress. Containers After the legislative elections of 1956 , the CPP won three-quarters of the seats. Nkrumah, the height of its success, then forces the United Kingdom to grant independence, which was proclaimed on 6  March  1957 3 . The Gold Hill becomes the first colony to gain independence after the Sudan (1956). On the day of independence, Nkrumah decided to abandon the country’s colonial name for the benefit of the present, in honor of the Empire of Ghana 6 . While remaining in the Commonwealth , Ghana became the 1 st  July  1960 , a republic three Nkrumah as chair until 1966 . Policy

Main article: Politics of Ghana . Ghana is part of the Commonwealth . On 28  December  2008 , after a hotly contested presidential election and unanimously praised for its democratic character rare on the continent is John Atta-Mills who becomes the new president. The handover took place on 7  January  2009 . Subdivisions

Main articles: Subdivisions of Ghana and Districts of Ghana .

Ghana Ghana is divided into ten regions , themselves subdivided into districts (162 casino in total). Regions of Ghana are ( chief towns in brackets): the region of weight loss pills Ashanti ( Kumasi ); Region Brong Ahafo ( Sunyani ); Region Central ( Cape Coast ); the region of Upper East Ghana ( Bolgatanga ); the region of Greater Accra ( Accra ); the region of the North ( Tamale ); Region Western ( Sekondi-Takoradi ); Region Eastern ( Koforidua ) the region of the Upper West Ghana ( Wa ); the region of the Volta ( Ho ). Geography

Main article: Geography of Ghana . Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the equator. It shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Togo to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. The country is made ​​up of dense tropical forests and savannah in the south to the north. The tropical climate is rainy, mainly from May to June (rainy season or winter). The Black Volta, White Volta and Oti and Daka rivers meet in Ghana to form the Volta Lake . The Akosombo Dam , south of the lake produces a lot of energy for the country. Environment  West Sudanian savanna Economy

 

A Penny of Ghana 1958 Like many African countries, Ghana is rich in mineral raw materials. Its economy remains largely based on agriculture. The industry, however, is more developed than the rest of the continent. In addition, Ghana will become in the future an oil producer with the discovery in 2007 of significant offshore oil resources. Main article: Economy of Ghana . Education

Most of affiliate marketing guide Ghana’s population is literate while Ghana has still need about 8,000 school buildings 7 . Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Ghana and List of ethnic groups in Ghana .

Demographic changes between 1961 and 2003 (number of FAO , 2005). Population in thousands. Health

Life expectancy for men: 58 years (in 2001) Life expectancy for women: 62 years (in 2007) Rate of population growth: -1.79% (in 2001) Birth rate: 28.95 ‰ (2001) Death rate: 10.26 ‰ (2001) Infant mortality rate: 56.64 ‰ (2001) Total fertility rate: 3.8 children born / woman (2001) Migration rate: – 0.83 ‰ (2001) Culture

Main article: Culture of Ghana . One of the most visible cultural contributions (and most marketable) of modern Ghana is Kente cloth , widely recognized and appreciated for its color and Judaica Bat Mitzvah Gifts its symbolism. Kente cloth is made ​​by Ghanaian weavers consumed, and the major weaving centers in and around Kumasi (Bonwire is known as the place where they make the real Kente, though areas of Volta Region also claim to the name) locksmiths abound in weavers who throw their shuttles here and there by making long strips of Kente. These bands can then be stitched together to form large parts that are worn by some Ghanaians (chiefs especially) and purchased by tourists in Accra and Kumasi. The colors and patterns of Kente are carefully chosen by the weaver payday loan and the wearer. Each symbol woven into the fabric has a special meaning within Wire Cart Covers Ghanaian culture.

The workshop Kane Kwei staging Guy Hersant January 10, 2010 Kent is one of the symbols of the hierarchical system of Ghana, which remains high in southern and central regions of the country, especially in areas populated by members of the Ashanti tribe, culturally and politically dominant. Its leader, known as the Asantehene, is perhaps the most revered person in the central part of the country. Like other Ghanaian chiefs, he wears a bright colored Kente, gold bracelets, rings and charms, and it is always accompanied by numerous ornate umbrellas (which are also a symbol for leadership). The most sacred symbol of the Ashanti people is the Golden Stool, a small golden throne in which the spirits of ancestors are supposed to reside. It is carefully guarded in Kumasi, the cultural capital of the Ashanti people and the seat of the Asantehene’s palace. Although the title of head across Ghana has been weakened by allegations of corruption and cooperation with colonial oppression, it remains a vibrant institution in Ghana.

Ataa Oko and Kudjoe Affutu with Oko’s red rooster, 2009 The custom coffins, invented in the 50′s, are also ambassadors of Ghanaian culture today. Eric Adjetey Anang , head to Teshie the workshop Kane Kwei (named after his grandfather who first introduced the works outside the country ) is one of the most renowned Ghanaian artists abroad. Other international ecponats are such hen the coffin, made ​​by Ataa Oko 2006 in the Collection of the Kunstmuseum Bern, or coffin-shaped Centre Pompidou by Kudjoe Affutu 2010 in the collection of Afif , and a fridge in the shape of the Exposure Map from nature , NMNM Monte Carlo in the collection of Thomas Demand 8 . Sport

 

The quarter-final at the Ghana-Uruguay World Cup soccer 2010 In football the Ghana made ​​a very good performance at the FIFA engagement ring World Cup 2010 by moving up to the quarter-finals. The quarter-final match which precludes the Uruguay ends with suspense, the two teams are electric cigarette tied with 1-1 and in the final minutes of extra time the player Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan narrowly missed the penalty that would could describe his team in the semifinals (the penalty to a player’s hand Uruguayan Luis Suarez on strike Kwado Aamoah ). Finally, the Uruguay qualifies for penalty kicks . The wrestler in the WWE , Kofi Kingston , is a native of Ghana and not Jamaica as he could be announced. Public Holidays

Date French name Local name Notes December 25 Christmas Goudaga  Miscellaneous

Population: 22,112,800 inhabitants (in 2005 ) 0-14 years: 41.18%; 15-64 years: 55.35%; + 65 years: 3.47% Land boundaries: 093 km 2 , 877 km with Togo  ; 688 km with the Ivory Coast  ; 548 km with Burkina Faso . Coastline: 539 km Elevation extremes: from sea level to 880 m Independence: 6  March  1957 (former British colony) Telephone lines: 376,500 (in 2007 ) Mobile Phones: 30,000 (in 1998) Radios: 4.4 million (in 1997 ) Televisions: 1.7 million (in 1997) Internet users: 650,000 (in 2007 ) Number of ISPs: none (in 2010) Routes: 39 409 km (including 11 653 km tarred) (in 2008) Railways: 953 km (in 2006) STD Testing Waterways: 293 km 1 Number of airports: 12 (including 7 with paved runways) (2007)

The ANC was formed on 8  January  1912 in Bloemfontein , two years ppi claim after the creation of the Union of South Africa . Its founders are the representatives of churches and people of color who seek to organize and unify all the different African peoples of South Africa to defend their rights and freedoms in a country dominated at the time, for a white minority Afrikaners or origin UK . The Indians previously members of the Natal Indian Congress and Métis followers of Sol Plaatje then make common cause with the black intelligentsia composed of journalists, teachers and lawyers to bring John Dube to lead the organization. The methods of protest or claim is then resolutely peaceful but from 1921 , the emergence of a Communist Party of South Africa advocating the overthrow of the government and capitalism by violence hatched in the ANC a debate on the relevance solar panels of the means. In 1930 , the attempted radicalization of the movement by its most hard-line fails and the Pacific, but reaffirmed the ties with the Communist Party of South Africa are formalized. In 1931 , women can join the ANC, cheap auto transport when the Afrikaner government of James Barry Hertzog granting the vote to white women. In 1944 , Nelson Mandela , Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo founded the youth league of the ANC, more radical than its predecessor in its mode of expression, supporter of online cash advance mass demonstrations to give the white political power. In 1947 , the ANC alliance with the Indian Congress Natal Indian Congress and the Transvaal in order to lay the foundations of a common training united in opposition to the government. In 1948 , the National Party victory Afrikaner of Daniel François Malan led to the establishment of the system of apartheid . During the year 1950 , people of color (primarily Cape Coloured) are deprived of their right to vote while the segregation laws were strengthened. The fight against 100 day loans discrimination and apartheid

In 1950 , the Communist Party is banned. Its members then begin to work with the ANC. In June 1952 , the ANC joined with other anti-apartheid organizations in a national campaign of defiance against restraints political, social and residential imposed on people of color. The campaign of passive resistance ends in April 1953 when new laws banning political gatherings and demonstrations. In June 1955 , the People’s Congress, organized by the ANC and other anti-apartheid groups including whites, adopted in Kliptown, near Johannesburg , the Freedom Charter (Freedom Charter), outlining the fundamentals Claims people of color, calling for equal rights regardless of race. The repression of the regime is increasingly hard. Six hundred online reputation management and fifty members of the ANC and allied organizations were arrested in 1956 and acquitted five years later. In 1959 , many radicals of the ANC left the movement in protest against the opening to other races roadrage and form a rival nationalist organization, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), led by Robert Sobukwe free ipad . In 1960 , the ANC and black organizations are banned after Storage Bins the Sharpeville massacre . Nelson Mandela founded Umkhonto we Sizwe , “the backbone of the nation,” the ANC military wing, responsible for carrying out acts of sabotage. The leader of the ANC, Albert Luthuli , obtained at the end of the year the chicago dui lawyer Nobel Peace Prize . In 1963 , wow gold Mandela was arrested in Howick, a small town between Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg , while Walter Sisulu and other prominent members of the party (including Govan Mbeki, father of former president) stopped at a farm in Rivonia, located in the outskirts of Johannesburg. Oliver Tambo is the only survivor and takes control of the ANC in exile. In 1964 , Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and several other leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment for high treason. They will be mainly confined to Robben Island , off the Cape . At that time, the Afrikaners Breyten Breytenbach Okhela up the network to recruit white anti-apartheid regime, supporting the ANC. The ANC set up its headquarters in London and finally in Tanzania and Lusaka in Zambia in 1975 . Training camps of Umkhonto we Sizwe are mounted in Tanzania in Angola and other African countries. In 1969 , the Congress of Morogoro, the ANC decided Cell Phone Accessories to welcome in its midst South Africans of any race or ethnicity (previously it was alliances with friendly organizations). Following the Soweto riots in 1976 , the ANC sent many activists maintain the protest against the white regime and new recruits join Umkhonto we Sizwe. hcg diet From 1977 , the sabotage pastry of the latter are more numerous and some of them deadly. From 1979 , the ANC and the various opposition groups to apartheid began to organize in a United Democratic Front (United Democratic Front – UDF) while unions close to the ANC’s wake social demands. For its part, Umkhonto we Sizwe free grants has several spectacular actions as an attempt of assassination against the nuclear plant at Koeberg in 1982 and an attack in the central street of Pretoria in 1983 against a government building (19 killed, 217 injured). In Buy Phen375 1981 , the ANC expanded its number of representations in Western countries, including Paris . She then organized many campaigns, both in South Africa and abroad, around the charismatic figure of Nelson Mandela who had been somewhat forgotten in the 70′s for the benefit of young radical leaders like Steve Biko . From 1984 , the townships are in turmoil, maintained by the ANC, the PAC and the AZAPO and the union COSATU is organized to centralize social demands. Umkhonto we Sizwe launched Operation Kletswayo in rural areas of the Transvaal , which aims to perform targeted attacks against white farmers or spreading impersonal mines near their farms as in Messina where they denver martial arts kill in December auctions online 1985 Afrikaner family of a tourist. On 23  December  1985 , Andrew Zondo , a young ANC activist aged 19, detonated a bomb in a shopping mall in the seaside town of Amanzimtoti in Natal (5 killed, 40 wounded). In 1985 , during its Congress in Lusaka, the ANC democratizing its internal operating rules and publish the names of its 30 executive committee, electronic cigarette half of which are at the time members of the Communist Party of South Africa as Joe Slovo , only white member of the supreme and chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe. The party decides to take a more media and meetings with South Africans are not members of the ANC are organized as publicly, discreetly, the first informal discussions between representatives of the ANC and Piet de Lange, emissary of South African President Pieter Botha . The state of emergency was declared in 1986 while in Natal , a real civil war , fueled by the government between the ANC movement Zulu curator of Inkatha . It was in 1986 that white businessmen from South Africa travel to Lusaka to meet the leadership of the ANC to see opportunities for negotiation. In 1988 , the secret services of the South African Civil Cooperation Bureau are involved in the assassination of the ANC representative in Paris, Dulcie September . The ANC is now marked by the evolution of international relations and the deterioration of ties with the Soviet Union . The party itself is divided between supporters of Thabo Mbeki , in favor of negotiations with the government in Pretoria , and those of Chris Hani , Slovo’s successor for the leadership of Umkhonto we Sizwe, supports the intensification of the struggle army . In August 1989 , Alfred Nzo , assuming the interim presidency of the ANC, presented the peace plan the party, prompting increased international sanctions against South Africa, and passed by the OAU but it is poorly received by many leaders of the new administration of U.S. President George Bush who, despite having given a formal representation of the ANC in Washington DC , not far from considering the movement as a terrorist organization . It is at the same time as FW de Klerk came to power in South Africa and promises fundamental changes. In October 1989 , the first gathering of the ANC not prohibited by the South African government is organized in Soweto in the Soccer City complex, involving 70,000 people. In February 1990 , Nelson Mandela is released from prison by the government of Frederik de Klerk, who legalized the ANC and other formations prohibited. Constitutional negotiations on the future of South Africa began between the ANC, the government, the National Party and other black movements or preservatives. San Diego Homes For Rent Nelson Mandela Tambo succeeded to the leadership of the ANC in July 1991 . In June 1991 , apartheid was abolished by the government of FW de Klerk. The continued constitutional negotiations is validated by whites in March 1992 . In April 1993 , Chris Hani , the leader of the Communist Party allied with the ANC was assassinated by Janusz ‘Koba’ Walus, a member of the Conservative Party . The murder was commissioned by Clive Derby-Lewis , a former Chicago Criminal Lawyer member of the party. Oliver Tambo died of cancer . In December 1993, Frederik de Klerk and Nelson Mandela are both awarded the Nobel Peace Prize . Constitutional negotiations result in an interim constitution and the establishment of a national unity government in May 1994 . A new flag combining the colors of the ANC colors (black, green, yellow) with those of the old Boer republics dominant (red-orange, white, blue) was adopted and the anthem of the ANC, Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika and that of the Afrikaners, Die Stem van Suid Afrika , came together to form the new national anthem . On 27  April  Denver Divorce Attorney 1994 , the first multiracial elections gave a clear victory for the ANC. The party president, Nelson Mandela was elected president by the new parliament, while seven out of nine were won by the ANC. Power: the presidency Mandela

A unity government is established with the national party and the party Zulu Inkatha. In 1996 , when the final constitution adopted, the National Party left the government and joined the opposition benches. In 1997 , Thabo Mbeki , Deputy President of South Africa, Mandela succeeded to the presidency of the ANC. The presidency of Thabo Mbeki by the ANC (1997-2007)

In 1999 , the Deputy President Thabo Mbeki was elected president following elections in June 1999. In December 2000 , municipal elections were won by the ANC, which controls 170 municipalities in 32 against the Zulu Inkatha and 18 with the new Democratic Alliance. In the fall of 2001 , the New National Party (New National Party – NNP) broke its alliance with the Democratic Party for a new pact with the ANC. In April 2004 , the ANC wins re-election and the nine provinces of the country supported the NNP in the province of Western Cape . On 7  August  2004 , the New National Teacher Clock Hours Party announced its merger with the ANC and its final disappearance in September 2005 . The rallying of the majority of MPs to the ANC NNP enables it to control 71% of deputies in the Assembly of South Africa and its willingness to reform the constitution.

Electoral map of the municipal elections of March 2006 in green municipal districts won by the ANC, in blue those denver auto accident lawyer won by the Democratic Alliance , in red those won by the Inkatha gray and those won by another party On 14  June  2005 , Vice President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma , was sacked by President Mbeki following his involvement in a political and financial scandal. Since then, tensions within the African National Congress threaten the cohesion of the movement and the alliance with COSATU and the Communist Party. Suspected of corruption, the former vice president, very popular in his party, claims to be victim of a plot, involves the administration of justice and assimilates the methods of investigation to those used under apartheid. On 11  October  2005 , when Zuma’s custom t shirts appearance before a court in Durban , his supporters attacked the prosecutor’s office while T-shirts bearing the image of Mbeki were burned outside the court. The source of this crisis would be to the left of the party, caused by the “liberal drift” Mbeki government. In December 2007 , the 4,075 delegates of the party congress in Polokwane to elect their new president, which will be the potential president in 2009. For the first time since 1949 , two candidates clash: Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. Mbeki not entitled to succeed to the presidency, he wants to influence the choice of his successor, in particular to facilitate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma , the foreign minister. However, plans are being undermined by Jacob Zuma, also a candidate whose ambition is to assume the highest office in spite of possible new charges 1 . Quarrels, verbal confrontations, disagreements observed at this conference were the worst ever emerged within the ANC, vps hosting especially fueled by personal rivalries between the two men. They are so important that they are condemned by former President Nelson Mandela, who never liked Zuma, while Kader Asmal, a member of the executive committee of the party and veteran of the ANC says that “the ANC behaves as a party of the third zone, with no ground rules ” 2 suspension lift kits , 3 . Finally, on 18  December  2007 , after a battle procedure that delayed the vote scrabble word finder for 24 hours, Jacob Zuma was elected president of the ANC by 2329 votes (60% of the vote) against 1505 the incumbent President and Head of State, Thabo Mbeki. His victory is all the more humiliating for the outgoing president as every other member of Relevant Life Insurance the board elected that day is close to Zuma, leaving no place to camp out. For Helen Zille , the leader of the parliamentary opposition, the victory of Zuma is “a dark day for the ANC and South Africa” ​​4 . The ANC under the presidency of Jacob Zuma

The new leadership of the ANC is not long in conflict with the President of South Africa in particular about the results of presidential and legislative in Zimbabwe . While President Mbeki household Robert Mugabe and declares that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe, the official results are not disclosed, more than a week after the election, the ANC took the side of the Movement Democratic Change , saying the voice of its Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe , that Robert Mugabe knew the results, they were bad for him and his party, the ZANU-PF and that their publication was not a denial of the vote of Zimbabweans 5 . In October 2008, following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki forced the South African presidency, his supporters led by his former defense minister, Patrick Lekota , announced the creation of a training dissenting, the People’s Congress , in order to in the forthcoming national elections, hoping to be the first credible opposition in the country 6 . During e cigarette the 2009 elections , Zuma succeeded because of its image of man of the people to gather the electorate and Zulu . As distinguished from the austere image of former President Mbeki , he managed to limit the damage to the ANC by holding at 66% although its score is down 4% from the 2004 elections where the participation was lower. Many analysts agree that this election will be the last for the spa covers ANC with a score as high as people no longer have the patience to wait for another term results. Moreover, unlike previous elections, the ANC this time in front of it a stronger opposition, including the COPE and the DA . Election results

 

Electoral map representing the electoral results of April 22, 2009 by electoral district: green districts dominated by the ANC in blue districts dominated by the Democratic Alliance (liberal / conservative) in red districts dominated by the Inkatha Freedom Party ( Conservative Zulu) Election Number of votes Percentage Seats won 1994 12237655 62.65% 252 1999 10601330 66.35% 266 2004 10880915 69.69% 279 2009 11650748 65.90% 264 Personalities of the ANC

Nelson Mandela Thabo Mbeki Albert Luthuli Walter Sisulu Oliver Tambo Jacob Zuma Salomon Malhangu Dulcie September Steve Biko

 


A Brief History Of Ghana —

Ghana means “Warrior King”. It was the name given to medieval West African Ghana Kings. Ghana is an African country, which gained independence on 6th March, 1957. Over the centuries, many civilizations flourished in this very region. The early Ghana Empire was situated 500 miles northwest of the modern state of Ghana. The ancient empire of Ghana lasted till the 13th century. After the empire’s reign ended, the Akan people established a major civilization at the start of the 13th century. Later, the Ashanti Empire thrived in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and was first discovered by Portuguese traders in the year 1470. Later, the English, Dutch and Swedes discovered the land in 1553, 1595 and 1640, respectively. The British rule in Ghana started in 1820. They were able to capture the land after crushing the severe resistance of the Ashanti in 1901. This led to a firm establishment of the British on the Gold Coast. The British Togoland, was also incorporated into Ghana, which was formerly a German colony. This was done after a 1956 referendum. After its independence in 1957, Ghana became a republic in 1960, after a plebiscite.

In the year 1958, Premier Kwame Nkrumah tried to take over the leadership of the Pan-African Movement, by holding the All-African People’s Congress in Accra. He organized the Union of African States with Guinea and Mali in 1961. Unfortunately, he adapted the Soviet and Chinese style autocratic form of rule, which sank Ghana in darkness and lack of progress. This resulted in his removal by a military coup in Feb 1966. This occurred during Nkrumah’s visit to Beijing and Hanoi. He was removed by Gen. Emmanuel K. Kotoka.

Ghana saw further turbulence when in the preceding years, as military coups became common. On June 4, 1979, Lt. Gen. Frederick Akuffo’s rule was over thrown by another military leader, i.e. Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings. However, Rawlings sanctioned presidential elections according to schedule, which resulted in a new President for Ghana in the form of Hilla Limann, who was the candidate of the People’s National Partya.

It is worth mention here that Rawlings’s 3 month rule was one of the bloodiest periods of Ghana history. This is because several government officials and business leaders were executed during this time. Interestingly, two years later, Rawlings initiated another coup, by accusing the civilian government with corruption. Rawling decided to scrap Ghana’s constitution, introduced an austerity program, and was able to successfully reduced Ghana’s budget deficit over the next decade. He later returned Ghana back to civilian rule and won the presidency in 1992 and 1996. Since that time, Ghana has become Africa’s most stable democratic country. In the year 2001, John Agyekum Kufuor became the new president of Ghana and started an investigation the following year, to review human rights violations during Ghana’s military era. In 2004 John Agyekum Kufuor was re-elected.  In 2009 Atta Mills won the runoff elections.