http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/teachers/curriculum/m24/activity2.php
Major Historical Events
One of the major historical events that brought their country independence. From the 15th to the 19th century, the Akan were greatly known as gold miners and were the most powerful group in Africa. But, it all changed when the first Europeans settled in 1471 and began to seek out the Akan's gold mines for trade. And eventually, both the British and Dutch joined in. Enslaved people replaced trade in gold that led to compromises where the local chiefs provided them with enslaved people. The Europeans at that time still chose to enslave Akan people on their own to be sold to other Europeans across the Atlantic Ocean where many did not survive. (Blauer/Laure pg.41-42, "Akan People" 2015). It was estimated that 10 million Africans were sold into slavery through the "Elmina Castle" slave auction room. Most of Ghanaians who wanted guns and cloth played a role of enslaving Africans. Half a million were sold from the Gold Coast alone (Blauer/Laure pg,43). In 1637 Elmina Castle was taken over by the Dutch and by 1642, the Europeans failed to control the Gold Coast. The British who then fought for the Gold Coast in 1872 became the major power (Blauer/Laure pg.44). Then, by the 1900's Ghana became a colony with British while the Ivory Coast was under French control. Finally in 1957, Ghana decolonized from the British and fought under the leadership of 'Kwame Nkrumah' ("Akan People" 2015).
Changes undergone
Originally the Akan people believed in a ancestor cult which believed in tribal unity and morality, tell everyone how to treat each other and stick together, they also believed in a great god controlling everything. When the Europeans came over to colonize Africa, they also spread their religion which resulted in the Akan along with many other groups start to practice Christianity instead of what they originally believed in. ("Religion" 2015) Prior to the 19th century most farm labor were slaves or servants, today, the Akan have hired servants/workers along with doing it themselves instead of unpaid slaves. ("Economy and Settlement" 2015)
In the 1670s they changed from being separate clans to a centralized hierarchical kingdom to gain more strength in being together as one instead of many, and to have more protection from others. ("Ashanti Kingdom" 2015) In 1823 - 1896 they fought against the British in the Anglo-Ashanti (Akan subgroups) wars. In 1901 in the British defeated the kingdom and made it a colony of the gold coast. In 1926 they were able to get ceremonial control back from England, in 1935 they were able to get their independence back and form their kingdom again. ("European Colonization and Independence" 2015)
Current Challenges
One of the current challenges that happened lately is the electoral commission declaring the candidate for the national democratic congress party. President John Mahama was the winner with 50.7 percent of the vote. But the election was contested in the courts and opposed by the New Patriotic Party. The election was upheld in august 2013. It was an eight month battle in the supreme court of Ghana. It ended peacefully however by President John Mahama's victory by confirming that the trend of stronger governance and democratic consolidation.
The Akan people's economy was also slowed down. It was estimated 5.5% in 2013 and will remain like that in 2014. On the postive side the Ghana growth will continue in a long term but will be 5% but will recover in 2016. There are macroeconomics challenges in 2014. Economic growth reduced to .3% in the third quarter of 2013. There are many stacks of debts that reached close to 60% of GDP in 2013. The global financial markets increased volatility since the middle of 2013. A decline in international commodity prices led to 16% deprication in of the ghanaian cedi against the Us dollar in 2013 and 17% in 2014. ( Ghana overview,2014)
One of the major historical events that brought their country independence. From the 15th to the 19th century, the Akan were greatly known as gold miners and were the most powerful group in Africa. But, it all changed when the first Europeans settled in 1471 and began to seek out the Akan's gold mines for trade. And eventually, both the British and Dutch joined in. Enslaved people replaced trade in gold that led to compromises where the local chiefs provided them with enslaved people. The Europeans at that time still chose to enslave Akan people on their own to be sold to other Europeans across the Atlantic Ocean where many did not survive. (Blauer/Laure pg.41-42, "Akan People" 2015). It was estimated that 10 million Africans were sold into slavery through the "Elmina Castle" slave auction room. Most of Ghanaians who wanted guns and cloth played a role of enslaving Africans. Half a million were sold from the Gold Coast alone (Blauer/Laure pg,43). In 1637 Elmina Castle was taken over by the Dutch and by 1642, the Europeans failed to control the Gold Coast. The British who then fought for the Gold Coast in 1872 became the major power (Blauer/Laure pg.44). Then, by the 1900's Ghana became a colony with British while the Ivory Coast was under French control. Finally in 1957, Ghana decolonized from the British and fought under the leadership of 'Kwame Nkrumah' ("Akan People" 2015).
Changes undergone
Originally the Akan people believed in a ancestor cult which believed in tribal unity and morality, tell everyone how to treat each other and stick together, they also believed in a great god controlling everything. When the Europeans came over to colonize Africa, they also spread their religion which resulted in the Akan along with many other groups start to practice Christianity instead of what they originally believed in. ("Religion" 2015) Prior to the 19th century most farm labor were slaves or servants, today, the Akan have hired servants/workers along with doing it themselves instead of unpaid slaves. ("Economy and Settlement" 2015)
In the 1670s they changed from being separate clans to a centralized hierarchical kingdom to gain more strength in being together as one instead of many, and to have more protection from others. ("Ashanti Kingdom" 2015) In 1823 - 1896 they fought against the British in the Anglo-Ashanti (Akan subgroups) wars. In 1901 in the British defeated the kingdom and made it a colony of the gold coast. In 1926 they were able to get ceremonial control back from England, in 1935 they were able to get their independence back and form their kingdom again. ("European Colonization and Independence" 2015)
Current Challenges
One of the current challenges that happened lately is the electoral commission declaring the candidate for the national democratic congress party. President John Mahama was the winner with 50.7 percent of the vote. But the election was contested in the courts and opposed by the New Patriotic Party. The election was upheld in august 2013. It was an eight month battle in the supreme court of Ghana. It ended peacefully however by President John Mahama's victory by confirming that the trend of stronger governance and democratic consolidation.
The Akan people's economy was also slowed down. It was estimated 5.5% in 2013 and will remain like that in 2014. On the postive side the Ghana growth will continue in a long term but will be 5% but will recover in 2016. There are macroeconomics challenges in 2014. Economic growth reduced to .3% in the third quarter of 2013. There are many stacks of debts that reached close to 60% of GDP in 2013. The global financial markets increased volatility since the middle of 2013. A decline in international commodity prices led to 16% deprication in of the ghanaian cedi against the Us dollar in 2013 and 17% in 2014. ( Ghana overview,2014)