History of Ghana

Dutch Gold Coast, 1598–1872 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Dutch began trading in the area around 1598, joining the Portuguese, who already had a trading post there. The Dutch West India Company captured Elmina Castle from the Portuguese in 1637. On 6 April 1872 the Dutch Gold Coast was ceded to the United Kingdom.

Seat of power: Fort Nassau

Ashanti Empire, 1670–1902 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Asante Empire was an Akan state that lasted from 1701 to 1902, in what is now modern-day Ghana. In 1701 the Asante army conquered Denkyira, which gave the Asante access to the Gulf of Guinea and coastal trade with Europeans. After the final Asante defeat at the fifth Anglo-Ashanti War, the Asante empire became part of the Gold Coast colony on 1 January 1902.

Seat of power: Kumasi

Rulers

• Osei Tutu, Asantehene, 1701–1717
• Opoku Ware I, Asantehene, 1718–1750
• Kusi Obodom, Asantehene, 1750–1764
• Osei Kwadwo, Asantehene, 1764–1777
• Osei Kwame, Asantehene, 1777–1801
• Opoku Fofie, Asantehene, 1803–1804
• Osei Bonsu, Asantehene, 1804–1824
• Mensa Bonsu, Asantehene, 1874–1883
• Kwaku Dua II Kumaa, Asantehene, 1884–1884
• Prempeh I, Asantehene, 1888–1931

Gold Coast Colony, 1821–1957 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Colony of the Gold Coast was a British Crown colony on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa from 1821 until its independence as Ghana in 1957. Under British colonial administration, the Gold Coast developed an export economy centred on cocoa, gold, timber and other natural resources. British rule expanded through treaties, the acquisition of rival European possessions, and the conquest of African states, most notably the Ashanti Empire.

Seat of power: Accra

Dominion of Ghana, 1957–1960 Draft, not yet reviewed

Ghana was the first African country colonised by European powers to achieve independence under majority rule. From 1957 to 1960, Ghana was a Commonwealth realm with a Westminster system of government, and Elizabeth II, the British monarch, served as Queen of Ghana. On 1 July 1960 it became the Republic of Ghana and the Queen ceased to be head of state.

Seat of power: Accra

Rulers

• Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of Ghana, 1957–1960
• Elizabeth II, monarch of the commonwealth realm of Ghana, 1957–1960

Ghana, 1957 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Ghana became the first colony in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve sovereignty on 6 March 1957. Under President Kwame Nkrumah, the new country became influential in decolonisation efforts and the Pan-African movement. Ghana is now a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president who is head of state and head of government.

Seat of power: Accra

Rulers

• Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana, 1960–1966
• Joseph Arthur Ankrah, President of Ghana, 1966–1969
• Akwasi Afrifa, President of Ghana, 1969–1970
• Edward Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, 1970–1972
• Nii Amaa Ollennu, President of Ghana, 1970–1970
• Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, President of Ghana, 1972–1978
• Fred Akuffo, President of Ghana, 1978–1979
• Hilla Limann, President of Ghana, 1979–1981
• Jerry Rawlings, President of Ghana, 1979–1979
• Jerry Rawlings, President of Ghana, 1981–2001
• John Kufuor, President of Ghana, 2001–2009
• John Evans Atta Mills, President of Ghana, 2009–2012
• John Mahama, President of Ghana, 2012–2017
• Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, 2017–2025
• John Mahama, President of Ghana, 2025 to today