By: Mary Ankrah
Ghana a sovereign country of West Africa is located on the Guinea Coast bounded to the North by Burkina Faso to the east by Ivory Coast, to the west by Togo and to the South by the Gulf of Guinea. In 1471, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to sail to the coast of Ghana. They also built forts along the coast. These forts were later used to hold slaves waiting for shipment to North America. It was a source of trade for the European countries who fought among themselves for control of the rich land.
The British gained the upper hand and took control of the Gold Coast. Before independence, the country was called the Gold Coast. The Europeans named it “the Gold Coast” because of the abundance of gold in the area and also they noticed that the people were prepared to exchange their gold dust and gold ornaments for European goods such as knives, brass pans, looking-glasses, copper bracelets and iron. In the pre-colonial days, and in the era of colonialism, Ghana consisted of a number of strong centralized states and kingdoms as well as non-centralized states with cultural institutions that made the people to be organized in their unique cultural areas.
After the partition of Africa by the Europeans, the area of present day Ghana came under British colonial rule in 1850 and was declared the British Colony of the Gold Coast in 1874. After 30 years of warfare against the rebellious Asante people, it was finally pacified in 1900. After 1920 economic growth based on mining and cocoa-farming combined with high standards of education, produced demands for home rule. Achimota College was one of the first secondary schools founded in Accra in 1925.
In 1946, Ghana became the first British colony in Africa whose legislative assembly consisted mostly of Africans. Serious rioting in 1948 caused the British to speed up the drafting of a new constitution through Dr Kwame Nkrumah who demanded self-government and independence. Nkrumah was elected Prime Minister in 1952, and led the country to independence on 6 March 1957. The Gold Coast was the first of the colonies in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence through the struggles of some politicians such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (who later became The President of Ghana), Obetsebi Lamptey, Ako Adjei, Akuffo Addo, Paa Willie and J.B Danquah. It gained independence in 6th March 1957 and it was renamed GHANA after the ancient Ghana Empire which was rich in Gold and Warriors. The name was adopted to usher in a new independent state. It also became a Republican on 1st July,1960.
Ghana like other countries in the West African sub-region had been occupied by mankind for thousand of years. These people formed so many ethnic groups. In Ghana, the major ethnic groups are the Akans, Guan, the Ga Adamgme, the Ewe, the Mole Dagban and the Lobi Dagarti.
The major ethnic groups in Ghana did not come from the country itself rather the ethnic groups were immigrants who came to the country. For instance the Akans were said to have come from ancient Ghana, the Ewe from Ketu, the Ga-Adangme form Southern Nigeria, the Guans from Burkina Faso, the Mole-Dagbani from whether Lake Chad or central Africa and Lobi-Dagarti from the Mandeland. Ghana consists of ten Regions namely: Northern, Eastern, Western, Upper east, Upper west, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Brong Ahafo and Volta Region.
Ghana has an estimated population of about 22 million, drawn from more than one hundred ethnic groups - each with its own unique language. English, however, is the official language, a legacy of British colonial rule. Ghana has several tourist attractions such as the castles and forts. Most of the major international airlines fly into and from the international airport in Accra. Domestic air travel is thriving and the country has a vibrant telecommunications sector, with five cellular phone operators and several internet service providers.
There are three religions in Ghana which are Traditional, Islamic and Christian religion. Century old traditions of the people of Ghana, coupled with the diversity distinct ethnic groups, have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of modern Ghana. To the people of Ghana, the traditions of their ancestors are still an important part of daily life. Traditional leaders have historical authority over tribal and family matters, and customary lands are an important heritage.
The country's economy is dominated by agriculture, which employs about 40 percent of the working population. Ghana is one of the leading exporters of cocoa in the world. Ghana is endowed with natural minerals that make the country rich. Gold, Diamond, Cocoa, Ivory , timber and recently oil found in large quantity.
The civil law enforce in Ghana is based on the Common Law, doctrines of equity and general statutes which were enforced in England in 1874 as modified by subsequent Ordinances. Ghanaian customary law is, however, the basis of most personal, domestic and contractual relationships. The Superior Court of Judicature comprises a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeal, a High Court and a Regional Tribunal. Inferior Courts include Circuit Courts, Circuit Tribunals, Community Tribunals and such other Courts as may be designated by law. Ghana courts have acted with increased autonomy under the 1992 constitution.
