The government of the Ashanti Empire operated first as a loose network and eventually as a centralised kingdom with a specialised bureaucracy centred in the capital city of Kumasi. By the 19th century, the territory of the southern part of Ghana was included in the Kingdom of Ashanti. These states included Bonoman (Brong-Ahafo region), Ashanti ( Ashanti Region), Denkyira ( Western North region), Mankessim Kingdom ( Central region), and Akwamu (Eastern region). From the 17th century, Akans emerged from what is believed to have been the Bonoman area, to create Akan states, mainly based on gold trading. By the 16th century, the Akans were established in the Akan state called Bonoman, for which the Brong-Ahafo region was named. The Akan-speaking peoples began to move into what later became Ghana toward the 15th century. In 1896, Germany invaded Eastern Dagbon (Naya) and burnt down its capital, Yendi, during the Battle of Adibo. ![]() The Yaa Naa is the King of Dagbon and the Gundo Naa is the Queen. Female chiefs who rule over male subjects are present in the kingdom, and inheritance is both patrilineal ad matrilineal. The kingdom enjoyed great prosperity establishing Ghana's earliest educational systems, and using a writing script prior to European invasion. Kingdoms that emerged from Dagbon include the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso, and Bouna Kingdom of Ivory Coast. ![]() Dagbon extended beyond the boundaries of present-day Ghana. These decentralised states were unified by King Gbewaa, who lived a long life, and formed a stable, peaceful society. Before the unification of Dagbon, societies were decentralised, and headed by the Tindaamba (singular: tindana). The earliest recorded kingdoms to emerge in modern Ghana were the Mole-Dagbon states. As receptacles for their owners' kra, or life force, kuduo were prominent features of ceremonies designed to honour and protect that individual. Gold dust and nuggets were kept in kuduo, as were other items of personal value and significance. ![]() Main articles: Ashanti Empire and Kingdom of Dagbon An 1850 map showing the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti within the Guinea region and surrounding regions in West Africa 18th-century Ashanti brass kuduo. Ghana is highly integrated in international affairs, being a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, African Union and a member of the Economic Community of West African States, Group of 24 and Commonwealth of Nations. It has maintained since 1993 one of the freest and most stable governments on the continent, and it performs relatively well in healthcare, economic growth, and human development, so that it has a significant influence in West Africa and Africa as a whole. For political stability in Africa, Ghana ranked 7th in the 2012 Ibrahim Index of African Governance and 5th in the 2012 Fragile States Index. Ghana is a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president who is head of state and head of government. Most Ghanaians are Christians (71.3%) almost a fifth are Muslims a tenth practise traditional faiths or report no religion. Ghana is a multi-ethnic country with linguistic and religious groups while the Akan are the largest ethnic group, they constitute a plurality. Ghana subsequently became influential in decolonisation efforts and the Pan-African movement. On 6 March 1957, Ghana became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve sovereignty. These were unified as an independent dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations. Following over a century of colonial resistance, the current borders of the country took shape, encompassing 4 separate British colonial territories: Gold Coast, Ashanti, the Northern Territories, and British Togoland. ![]() Beginning in the 15th century, the Portuguese Empire, followed by other European powers, contested the area for trading rights, until the British ultimately established control of the coast by the 19th century. The Ashanti Empire and other Akan kingdoms in the south emerged over the centuries. The earliest kingdoms to emerge in Ghana were the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and the Bono state, with the Bono state existing in the area during the 11th century. The capital and largest city is Accra other cities are Kumasi, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi. With over 32 million inhabitants, Ghana is the second-most populous country in West Africa. Ghana covers an area of 239,567 km 2 (92,497 sq mi), spanning diverse biomes that range from coastal savannas to tropical rainforests. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Togo in the east. Ghana ( / ˈ ɡ ɑː n ə/ ⓘ GAH-nə Twi: Gaana, Ewe: Gana, Dagbani: Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |