Ghana History Terms

March 6, 1957

Ghana became the first country in sub-saharan Africa to gain independence.

Ghana Empire

Ghana in the past which was located around current Mauritania and western Mali.

Gold Coast

It was a British colony on the gulf of guinea in west Africa that became the independent nation of Ghana.

Black Star

On the Ghanaian flag represents freedom.

Palm Wine Musical Tradition

Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the Palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. It is known by various names in different regions and is common in various parts of Asia, Africa the Caribbean and South America.

Big Six

Six leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention. The big six were Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, and William Ofori Atta.

Independence

The fact or state of being independant

British Colony

The geographic and political units formerly under British control, including dominions, colonies, dependencies, trust territories, and protectorates. At the height of its power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the empire comprised about one quarter of the world's land area and population and encompassed territories on every continent, including the British Isles, British North America, British West Indies, British Guiana, British West Africa, British East Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

Freedom

The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.

Adinkra

Visual symbols, originally created by the Ashanti, that represent concepts or aphorisms. Adinkra are used extensively in fabrics and pottery. They are incorporated into walls and other architectural features. Fabric adinkra are often made by woodcut sign writing as well as screen printing.

John Atta Mills

(21 July 1944 - 24 July 2012) Was a Ghanaian politician and legal scholar who served as President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012. ... He is the first Ghanaian head of state to die in office.

John Mahama

(Born 29 November 1958) Is the current President of Ghana, in office since 2012. Mahama served as the Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, and took office as President on 24 July 2012 following the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills.

Jerry Rawlings

(born 22 June 1947) is a former head of state and president of Ghana.

Kofi Annan

(born 8 April 1938) Is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. Annan, along with the UN, were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

J. K. Kuffour

(born 8 December 1938) is a retired Ghanaian politician and statesman who served as President of Ghana from 2001 to 2009. He was also Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008. His victory over John Atta Mills after the end of Jerry Rawlings' second term marked the first peaceful democratic transition of power in Ghana since independence in 1957.

Kente

A brightly colored cloth consisting of separate strips sewn together, made in Ghana. a long garment made from Kente, worn loosely around the shoulders and waist.

Ghana

A medieval African kingdom in what is now eastern Senegal, southwest Mali, and southern Mauritania. It was founded probably in the 8th century AD and prospered because of its location astride the trans-Saharan caravan routes. The kingdom declined after the 11th century.

Colonization

A process by which a central system of power dominates the surrounding land and its components. The term is derived from the Latin word colere, which means "to inhabit".

Highlife

An extravagant social life as enjoyed by the wealthy. A style of dance music of West African origin, influenced by rock and jazz.

Kwame Nkrumah

Born in 1909. Died in 1972. He lead the old Ghana (Gold Coast) into independence from Britain. He helped the country get independence in 1957. But he was overthrown by a Coup in 1966.