Department of History
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Item Women As Agents Of Change: A Case Study Of Women In Cape Coast (1877-1957)(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Agyeiwaa, C.Whilst the dominant narratives in historiography consider markets to be male dominated spaces in pre-colonial Cape Coast, this study contends that women became the principal agents of trading activities during the colonial period. With the increasing visibility of women in market spaces during the colonial period, women, both elite and ordinary, played an active role in the shaping of the colonial urban town of Cape Coast whilst conducting their trading activities. Through the analysis of women’s activities in the markets in Cape Coast, it is evident that women became instrumental in the conceptualization of a market space. This study also contends that market women became key agents in promoting developmental projects in the community. Before European contact with the people of the Gold Coast in 1471, African women were prominent in economic activities such as agriculture and trade. European presence enhanced trading activities in the Gold Coast especially along the coastal areas. Cape Coast, one of the coastal towns, later emerged as a prominent centre of trade and headquarters of trade for the British residents. Prior to the British abolition of slave trade, slaves were the major commodity of trade in the coastal markets and this trade was mainly controlled by men. Women only gained access through their relationships with European merchants. The abolition of the Atlantic slave trade resulted in an increase in legitimate trade in the Gold Coast, especially along the coastal areas. By the colonial period however, women had become active in the changing economy. They were vibrant in the spatial markets along the coast, specifically in Cape Coast. Though the transfer of the colonial capital from Cape Coast to Accra in 1877 resulted in economic decline of the town, trading activities within the spatial markets in Cape Coast did not come to a halt. Women continued to be active participants in trade in the Gold Coast. It is within this context that this study examines how market women contributed towards the development of Cape Coast during the colonial period through their trading activitiesItem A History of Liberian Migrants in the Gold Coast/ Ghana, c. 1880 – 1980(University of Ghana, 2021-05) Danquah, E.M.During the colonial period, Southern Gold Coast was one of the destination areas which attracted migrants from other West African territories. Among the migrants who came to the Gold Coast during the nineteenth century were Liberian migrants who became known mostly for their hard work in the mines, harbours, etc. and through their work as night soil carriers. As labour migrants, Liberians were highly demanded by colonial officials; but their strong attachment to their homeland back in Liberia posed a challenge for the supply of Liberian labour in the 1880s and 1890s and their integration into the Gold Coast. However, by the mid-twentieth century, Liberians had integrated into the Gold Coast. They intermarried with the local population and settled in spaces popularly called ‘Krutowns.’ Drawing on archival sources and oral interviews this project examines the economic rationale which informed British policy of pursuing the integration of Liberians into the Gold Coast. I argue that British official policies towards Liberian migrants such as the provision of free health care and the creation of specialized settlements encouraged and facilitated the integration of Liberian labourers into the Gold Coast. This enabled the Gold Coast to first, beat competition from neighbouring French Ivory Coast; and also to ensure the steady supply of Liberian labour for the Colony. The study also shows that further generation of Liberians created a ‘diasporic’ community in the Gold Coast. I demonstrate that Liberian migrants in the twentieth century created a diasporic community in two main ways. First, by establishing social networks to provide support for themselves and secondly, facilitating the formation of transnational links between Ghana and Liberia.Item A History of Language Planning in the Gold Coast, 1874-1957(University of Ghana, 2020-11) Adomah-Gyekye, B.This thesis examines the history of language planning in the Gold Coast with emphasis on the deliberate efforts that were made to influence the learning, orthographies and usage of languages in during British colonial rule. Several scholars have dilated on language planning during the colonial era focusing mainly on language in education policies of governments and the official language question. Extant literature has concentrated on the efforts of the British colonial administration to promote the English language and the usage of indigenous languages in education in the Gold Coast to a certain extent. The efforts made by other language planners such as Christian missions, traditional authorities, educated elites and international cultural organizations to improve the learning, orthographies and usage of the at least sixty-eight indigenous languages have not been given equal attention. This work therefore aims to contribute to filling this lacuna. The study is qualitative and it relies on sources such as archival documents, newspaper articles, interviews, personal files, books, journal articles and unpublished dissertations. It also employs the linguistic colonialism framework. This thesis reveals that between 1874 and 1957, not only British colonial officials but also Christian missions, traditional authorities, educated elites and international cultural organizations played significant roles in language planning in the Gold Coast in the form of policies, research, advocacy and publishing. This phenomenon was not new but started with Europeans and educated elites during the pre-colonial era. This study argues that the essential efforts made by language planners in the Gold Coast during the colonial era to promote indigenous languages left much to be desired, with respect to the few number of languages they focused on and, the dominance and indispensability of the English language in the country.Item Bono States' Relations with Asante 1712 - 1959(University of Ghana, 1999-09) Adum-Kyeremeh, K.A study of the nature of Asante's relations with states in the bono part of the Bono Ahafo Region. The thesis also examines the response of the various Bono states to Asante imperial rule, and how those states which resisted Asante rule were treated by Asante chiefs. The study reveals that prior to the Asante Invasion of 1712, Asante traders bought kola, livestock and pottery from Bonduku, Abesim, Kyeraa, Manso,Tekyiman Ahenekwaku and other settlements in Bono. The invasion of 1712 notwithstanding, economic relations between the two increased. During the early 19th century, Atebubu and Bonduku became important market centers visited on a regular basis by Asante traders . Later in the 1880s, the Kintampo and Wankyi markets expanded into international ones patronized by Asante traders from North Africa. Politically, however, Asante conquest of Bono soured relations between Asante and the Bono States as a result of the frequent capture, and often the murder of Bono chiefs or their subjects. the conquests also resulted in the looting of gold resources of the states, and the replacement of legitimate Bono rulers by persons without any claim to legitimacy. Asante rule resulted in the polarization of Bono society, between pro-Bono and pro- Asante states. these factions became antagonistic towards each other , formed alliances with neighbours who shared their ideology, and fought each other on a number of occasions. Anti- Asante sentiment persisted and grew in intensity from the late 19th century. In pursuit of freedom and independence from Asante rule , the Bono people identified with the Convention Peoples Party (C.P.P) in the1950s. In consideration of their support for the C.P.P. in the general elections of 1954 and 1956, the Nkrumah regime rewarded the bono by constituting their states and Ahafo into an autonomous administrative regime in 1959.Item A History of Language Planning in the Gold Coast, 1874-1957(University of Ghana, 2020-11) Adomah - Gyekye, B.This thesis examines the history of language planning in the Gold Coast with emphasis on the deliberate efforts that were made to influence the learning, orthographies and usage of languages in during British colonial rule. Several scholars have dilated on language planning during the colonial era focusing mainly on language in education policies of governments and the official language question. Extant literature has concentrated on the efforts of the British colonial administration to promote the English language and the usage of indigenous languages in education in the Gold Coast to a certain extent. The efforts made by other language planners such as Christian missions, traditional authorities, educated elites and international cultural organizations to improve the learning, orthographies and usage of the at least sixty-eight indigenous languages have not been given equal attention. This work therefore aims to contribute to filling this lacuna. The study is qualitative and it relies on sources such as archival documents, newspaper articles, interviews, personal files, books, journal articles and unpublished dissertations. It also employs the linguistic colonialism framework. This thesis reveals that between 1874 and 1957, not only British colonial officials but also Christian missions, traditional authorities, educated elites and international cultural organizations played significant roles in language planning in the Gold Coast in the form of policies, research, advocacy and publishing. This phenomenon was not new but started with Europeans and educated elites during the pre-colonial era. This study argues that the essential efforts made by language planners in the Gold Coast during the colonial era to promote indigenous languages left much to be desired, with respect to the few number of languages they focused on and, the dominance and indispensability of the English language in the country.Item A History of Language Policy In Ghana 1920-1971(University of Ghana., 2011-06) Nkrumah, G.The impact of colonial language policy on the linguistic history of Ghana cannot be underestimated. The general continuity that has characterized Ghana's language policy after independence owes much to colonial language policy especially after the late 1920s. AII the same, colonialism did not entirely dictate the language policy of post-colonial Ghana. For post- colonial Ghana, the history of language policy was not only shaped by colonial vestiges but also by the political and socio-economic developments at the time. This thesis seeks to trace the historical developments of language policy in Ghana. How and why has the country's language policy changed over time? By utilizing colonial records, the study examines colonial government responses to language concerns during the colonial period. What were these responses and bow have these responses become manifest in subsequent policies on language after independence? In considering post-colonial language policy, the thesis also discusses the role of language in national integration and identity. Of what significance was language to a fledgling nation, in the creation of a national identity while at the same time creating and maintaining national unity'? To what extent was an indigenous language crucial in both cases?Item History of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, Tafo 1938-2008(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Tetteh, S.A.The Cocoa Industry Became The Mainstay Of Ghana’s Economy since its introduction in the country in the late 19th century. The industry spread quickly from its original base at Akuapem through Akim to many parts of the country making Ghana the leading producer of cocoa by 1910. However, the industry was faced with a near collapse in the 1930s due to the emergence of the deadly swollen shoot disease that was fast destroying many farms. This compelled the colonial administration to establish the Central Research Station at Akim Tafo which later became the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). They were mandated to deal with the situation and study to provide innovative ways of cultivating the crop in order to increase production. Research activities at the station in containing the situation whip up farmers interest in the industry in many ways. For example scientific measures were employed in reducing the maturation and fruition period of the original Amelonado Cocoa from seven to three years through hybridization. This research therefore focused on changing the narrative of placing high land, labour and cocoa pricing as responsible for increase in production to the innovative strategies introduced by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) through their research activities to make Ghana’s cocoa industry vibrant.Item Women as Agents of Change: A Case Study of Women in Cape Coast (1877-1957)(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Agyeiwaa, C.Whilst the dominant narratives in historiography consider markets to be male dominated spaces in pre-colonial Cape Coast, this study contends that women became the principal agents of trading activities during the colonial period. With the increasing visibility of women in market spaces during the colonial period, women, both elite and ordinary, played an active role in the shaping of the colonial urban town of Cape Coast whilst conducting their trading activities. Through the analysis of women’s activities in the markets in Cape Coast, it is evident that women became instrumental in the conceptualization of a market space. This study also contends that market women became key agents in promoting developmental projects in the community. Before European contact with the people of the Gold Coast in 1471, African women were prominent in economic activities such as agriculture and trade. European presence enhanced trading activities in the Gold Coast especially along the coastal areas. Cape Coast, one of the coastal towns, later emerged as a prominent centre of trade and headquarters of trade for the British residents. Prior to the British abolition of slave trade, slaves were the major commodity of trade in the coastal markets and this trade was mainly controlled by men. Women only gained access through their relationships with European merchants. The abolition of the Atlantic slave trade resulted in an increase in legitimate trade in the Gold Coast, especially along the coastal areas. By the colonial period however, women had become active in the changing economy. They were vibrant in the spatial markets along the coast, specifically in Cape Coast. Though the transfer of the colonial capital from Cape Coast to Accra in 1877 resulted in economic decline of the town, trading activities within the spatial markets in Cape Coast did not come to a halt. Women continued to be active participants in trade in the Gold Coast. It is within this context that this study examines how market women contributed towards the development of Cape Coast during the colonial period through their trading activities.Item An Academic in Politics: A Study of Emeritus Professor Albert Adu Boahen, 1932-2006(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Ashong, T.The mid-twentieth century undoubtedly marked a watershed in African history and historiography. One striking feature of the period was the emergence of a new crop of African historians who were poised to challenge the hegemony of Eurocentric scholarship. Kenneth O. Dike, a prominent Nigerian historian blazed the trail with his magnum opus Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta, 1830-1885. In Ghana, the trailblazer was Prof. Albert Adu Boahen who was a teacher, scholar and an astute politician. As a teacher, he taught and mentored students while researching and writing about the Ghanaian and African past. He was a staunch critic of military rule and always laid emphasis on constitutional governance, the freedom of speech, and freedom of the individual. In spite of his remarkable contribution to the country, existing literature has only had a cursory look at him. Thus, a specific scholarly study devoted to his life and career is yet to be written. This study therefore provides a scholarly biography of Prof. Albert Adu Boahen. The study maintains that Adu Boahen was not just a renowned historian who contributed to pioneering Ghanaian and African historiography; but was also instrumental in attempts to consolidate democratic culture in Ghana. This study makes use of archival evidence from the private archives of Adu Boahen and PRAAD in Accra. In addition, secondary sources including relevant books, dissertations, academic articles and photographs are interrogated. These sources are augmented with extensive interviews conducted with relatives, friends and colleagues of Adu Boahen. Overall, this study provides a scholarly biography of Adu Boahen in order to show his contributions to Ghanaian and African historiography, academic institutions and professional associations. In addition, the study shows Adu Boahen’s place in Ghana’s struggle for democracy and constitutional governance since the early years of independence.Item Nawuri-Gonja Relations, 1913-1994(University of Ghana, 2002-07) Mbowura, C.K.This thesis looks at the relationship between the Nawuri and the Gonja from 1913 to 1994. It discusses the arrival of the Nawuri, the Gonja and other immigrants into the Nawuri area and the nature of the relationship between the two groups of people through time. Contacts between the Nawuri and the Gonja date back to the seventeenth century when the two ethnic groups regarded each other as political allies. As political allies, the Nawuri supported the Gonja when eastern Gonja came under attack by Asante in 1744-45. Similarly, the Nawuri supported the Lepo Gonja (one of the three gates to the Kpembe chieftaincy) when a civil war erupted between Kanyase on the one hand and the Lepo and the Sungbung on the other. The relationship between the Nawuri and the Gonja up to 1913 was very cordial and peaceful. In 1913 Karantu Kankarantu Jawula was installed the Kanankulaiwura in the Nawuri area. Throughout his tenure of office, Kanankulaiwura Jawula pursued polices that indicated that the Nawuri were Gonja subjects and that allodial rights to the lands in the Nawuri area resided in the Gonja. It was this action of Kanankulaiwura Jawula and the subsequent amalgamation of the Nawuri area to the Gonja state that brought about a change in the relationship between the Nawuri and the Gonja. There are several feuds between the Nawuri and the Gonja relating to birthrights, allodial rights, overlordship and chieftaincy became the thrusts of their relationship. The local feuds between the Nawuri and the Gonja determined their positions in politics concerning the status of British sphere of Togoland from 1922 to 1956 as well as politics in Ghana from 1966 onwards. The above issues of dispute between the Nawuri and the Gonja, particularly the Gonja claim to allodial rights to lands in the Nawuri area and political control over the Nawuri, their recognition and suppression of Nawuri chieftaincy formed the root causes of the conflicts between the Nawuri and the Gonja both during the colonial and the post-Independence era. The wars between the Nawuri and the Gonja have technically not ended, and a state of war still exists between them since no peace treaty has been signed, The Ampiah Committee that was set up in 1991 by the erstwhile PNDC Government to investigate the causes of the Nawuri-Gonja wars submitted its findings and recommendations to the government in that year. Perhaps for political reasons, a Government White paper was not issued on the findings and recommendations of the Committee.