The empire of Ghana was a wealthy trading empire in West Africa located south of the Sahara Desert. Made up of a federation of the Soninke people, its richest historical record spans from about 750 until 1076 CE, due to the writings of Arab travelers and geographers from that period. The author explains what we know about this mysterious and fascinating empire, whose main city Kumbi Saleh was a link on the Saharan trade routes. Readers learn about the traditions, beliefs, and lifestyle of the Soninke and other indigenous peoples, as well as the effects of contact with Islam.

"This is one of the best books reflecting on Ghana's half-a-century of often tumultuous transformation. Ivor Agyeman-Duah has gathered together a group of scholars, educators and government, business and civil society leaders to debate the trajectory of Ghana's economic history. Their views centre on three fundamental themes: structures and institutions in a postcolonial economy, the role of public policy, stimulus and innovation." "A timely volume as Ghana celebrated its 50th Anniversary of Independence in 2007 under President Kufuor's 2-terms of eight-years of relatively peaceful democratic rule. Contributors include: Jeffrey D. Sachs, Anthony Akoto-Osei., Richard Anane, Joyce Aryee, Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, Ernest Aryeetey, Moses Asaga, Ken Ofori-Atta, Gareth Austin, Annan Arkyin Cato, Mary Chinery-Hesse, T. Oteng-Gyasi, E. Gyimah-Boadi, Dirk-Jan Omtzigt, D.K. Osei, Isaac Osei, Nii Moi Thompson and Charles Wereko-Brobbey, et al." "This is unquestionably one of the best contemporary economic history books about Ghana drawing on the expertise and knowledge of Ghanaians as well as international experts and leading lights to reflect on 50 years of Ghana's economic challenges and achievements." "Contributors include leading economists such as Jeffrey D. Sachs, Earth Institute, Columbia University and Advisor to the UN Secretary General; eminent Ghanaian scholars such as Professor Ernest Aryeetey of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana; and Mary Chinery-Hesse, Chief Advisor to the President of Ghana. The contributors focus on three aspects: Structures and Institutions in a Postcolonial Economy: A Vampire Economy with a Silver Lining and Crossing the Jordon: Stimulation and Innovation with a Foreword by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka." "This volume will be a valuable tool for studies on African Economic History with specific emphasis on Ghana but could also double as a yardstick for comparing the economic histories of other well performing African economies such as Botswana, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Namibia and South Africa - according to the World Bank annual good governance rankings released in 2006."--BOOK JACKET.

As early as the 1910s, African drivers in colonial Ghana understood the possibilities that using imported motor transport could further the social and economic agendas of a diverse array of local agents, including chiefs, farmers, traders, fishermen, and urban workers. Jennifer Hart's powerful narrative of auto-mobility shows how drivers built on old trade routes to increase the speed and scale of motorized travel. Hart reveals that new forms of labor migration, economic enterprise, cultural production, and social practice were defined by autonomy and mobility and thus shaped the practices and values that formed the foundations of Ghanaian society today. Focusing on the everyday lives of individuals who participated in this century of social, cultural, and technological change, Hart comes to a more sensitive understanding of the ways in which these individuals made new technology meaningful to their local communities and associated it with their future aspirations.

Annotated guide to the Dutch archives on Ghana and West Africa in the "Nationaal Archief" offering a comprehensive overview of available sources. Part I: description of archival materials. Part II: historical overview of the Dutch in Ghana and selected themes from Ghana's history. With bibliography and index.

The music and dance traditions of Ghana's four main ethnic groups are covered comprehensively in this book. It discusses concepts of music, dance and performance in general, and also goes into cultural perspectives, performance practices and the form and structure of 22 musical types or dance drumming ceremonies. As a guide to multicultural education, it provides teaching methods and components of curriculum development. Numerous photographs, maps, and musical scores generously illustrate the book.

Discusses the settlement of West Africa, the spread of Islam, the establishment of the gold trade, and the rise, civilization, and fall of the Soninke states known as Ghana