Before the arrival of Europeans, Ghana was the location of the Ashanti, a powerful tribe in the region. The area had an abundance of natural resources, including gold and ivory, which attracted the attention of colonists. While the Portuguese had been the first to establish a settlement in the region, the attractiveness of the local riches led to a struggle for control between many European nations. In 1874, Britain took control over parts of the country, naming them the British Gold Coast.
The currency of Ghana is called the cedi. The word ‘cedi’ comes from a word meaning a cowry shell. Cowry shells were once used as money in Ghana.
Weakened by the efforts of World War II, Britain had begun the process of reducing its colonies around the world, including those Africa.
This desire was matched by a rising call for independence in the Gold Coast. In 1947, the United Gold Coast Convention called for “self-government within the shortest possible time” following the Gold Coast legislative elections. In 1951, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah won a majority in the Gold Coast legislative election and in 1952. Nkrumah was appointed the leader of the Gold Coast government.
The Gold Coast region declared its independence from the United Kingdom on March 6th 1957 and established the nation of Ghana.
Nkrumah went on to become the first Prime Minister of Ghana.
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence, on March 6th 1957.