Dokolonialnyj the period. The territory of modern Ghana has been occupied already in the Stone Age, during a mesolit epoch. Formation of the people occurred as a result of several waves of migration (hectares and eve have come from the east, akany – from the north). At 13-17 centuries existed ancient cities-states, largest of which were Bego (Begho), Bonos-Mansu, La and SHai. Agriculture, animal industries developed In these rannegosudarstvennyh educations and crafts, the gold mining and trade was actively conducted. In dokolonialnyj the period Confederation Ashanti with capital Kumasi which since 17 centuries has subordinated many cities-states in the Central and Southern Ghana was the most powerful political education.
The first of Europeans on territory of modern Ghana the Portugueses, the named new earths "Gold Coast" have got. In 1481–1482 them fort Elmina is constructed. At 17-19 centuries of a fortress were erected also by Englishmen, Dutches, Danes and Swedes. Ashanti conducted with Europeans intermediate trade: at first gold, an ivory and so forth, and about a game. 17 centuries – slaves. Gold Coast has turned to one of the main centres of a slave-trade in Africa. In trade to Europeans with ashanti competed fanti, at 18-19 centuries between them were waged numerous wars. The Englishmen who were turning to account this or that belligerent party actively participated in some of them. In 1844 English governor has entered into the agreement with leaders fanti creation of protectorate Gold Coast (a zone of coast in width to 15 km) became which result. Persistent and long resistance of Confederation Ashanti to the English armies, trying to get into deep areas, was finished in 1901 inclusion of its territories in structure of the British colony. G.Kumasi has been plundered by English armies, imperial treasures are removed in mother country, and asantehene (the Supreme leader ashanti) is sent from the country to Seychelles.
The colonial period. Economic development has begun with introduction of culture of cocoa-beans. To 1937 Gold Coast became its largest supplier in the world market. Opening and the beginning of industrial extraction of deposits of diamonds, bauxites, gold, etc. minerals promoted building of ports, iron and motorways, to development of telegraphic communication. Management of Gold Coast was carried out by the colonial administration created in 1850 and using influence of traditional leaders among local population for collection of taxes, the organisation of forced hard labour and so forth In 1920-1940 the elective representation of Africans is entered into Legislative and Executive advices at the governor.
Anticolonial movement has arisen in second half of 19 centuries In 1897 «the Company of protection of the rights of natives of Gold Coast» is created, in 1920–1930 there were moderate and radical youth associations. In 1947 the political party «Incorporated convent of Gold Coast» (OKZB) is created. Secretary general OKZB Kvame Nkruma which has headed a protest campaign of the population against acceptance of the new constitution which did not guarantee self-management became the leader of emancipating movement. In 1949 it with the supporters left from OKZB and has created «convent People party» (NPK), put forward as the main slogan immediate declaration of independence. On elections in Legislative Assembly (on January, 1st 1951) NPK has received 34 places from 38. K.Nkruma has leaded the government, the majority in which belonged to Africans. Elections in Meeting in 1956 have brought victory NPK, which in the conditions of rigid counteraction of opposition parties («the Consignment of the congress of Ghana», «Movement of national clearing») has managed to achieve from the Great Britain independence as dominion.
The period of independent development. Independence of Ghana is proclaimed on March, 6th 1957. The government, having selected a socialist way of development of the country, has headed for liquidation of consequences of a colonial mode and economy reforming. Despite opposition of the opposition which have organised in 1958 plot and unsuccessful attempts at K.Nkrumu (1962 and 1964), NPK it was possible to accept the new constitution proclaiming the presidential power, and in February 1964 to enter an one-party mode. A foreign policy basis became panafrikanizm. The Economic situation of the country because of sharp falling of the world prices for cocoa and reductions of currency receipts from export has worsened. On February, 24th 1966 during K.Nkrumy's finding on a foreign trip an army top led by general Dzh. Ankroj the military coup d'etat is carried out. The ban is imposed on activity NPK and other consignments. After parliamentary elections 1969 power has passed to the civil government led by Kofi Busia who was will dethrone in January 1972 as a result of a new military coup d'etat. On June, 4th 1979 power was seized by group of junior officers led by captain Dzherri Rolingsom, allowed realisation of the next general election. «The national people party» (NNP), declared successor NPK has won on them again created.
On December, 31st 1981 power has again seized J. Rolings. He has headed Temporary advice of national defence (VSNO) which has cancelled the constitution and has forbidden activity of political parties. The government at a financial backing of the World bank and IMF has started realisation of the program of improvement of economy. In 1985–1990 annual growth rates of gross national product made 6 %, inflation has decreased from 100 % to 33 %. Under the influence movements for democratisation in the African countries and pressure of opposition of J. Rolings has gone in 1992 on introduction of multi-party system and realisation of general election. On November, 3rd 1992 president it is selected by J. Rolings (apprx. 60 % of voices of voters), acted as the candidate of the party «the National democratic congress» (NDK). It is re-elected on this post in 1996 (57,2 % of voices). The government has continued realisation of economic reforms, including creation of free economic zones in cities of Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale and around international airport Katoka has begun. In 1997 level of minimum wages (in thousand sedi in a month) it is lifted with 24 to 35 thousand (with 12 to 16 US dollars). In 1990 the gold mining (in 2002 gold reserves of the country has made 96,5 million US dollars) is revived. In August 1999 Ghana has signed the agreement on sharing in joint building (with Benin, Nigeria and That) the West African gas pipeline, cost of 899 million US dollars. Realisation of economic reforms and fulfilment by the government of requests of IMF and the World bank (VAT introduction, increase in road charges and increase of electricity tariffs) passed in conditions of activization of opposition and mass protests of the population.
Presidential elections 2000 have passed in two rounds – on December, 7th and 28. In the first round from seven applicants for a post of president John Kufuor – the candidate from «the New patriotic consignment» (NPP) – has typed 48,17 % of voices, in the second – 56,9 %. The candidate from NDK Atta Mils (according to the constitution, J. Rolings could not stand in third time) – 44,54 % and 43,1 % accordingly. On parliamentary elections NPP has received 100 places (from 200), and NDK – 92 places, 4 places were won by independent candidates, and 3 – «National national convent» (NNK). A peace delegation of power of J. Rolingsom it has been highly appreciated on continent – in 2000 it has been named by the person of year in Africa.
The new government pursues a policy of encouragement of private investments and reduction of public investments in main branches of economy. Result of long reforms of a steel of export diversification, significant inflow of foreign investments and availability of wider range of consumer goods in home market. In 2002 production volume of agricultural production has grown on 4,4 %. In a game. 2002 inflation has made 15,2 % (in 2001 – 21,3 %). The Going up with a jump of the prices for fuel has resulted in 2003 in a considerable increase of the prices, the rate of inflation was lifted to 26,4 %. Gross national product growth in 2003 has made 4,8 %.
In July to 2001 Ghana as a result of its joining to group of the poorest debitor countries are written off 2,2 billion US dollars of the external bond debt. It receives IMF financial aid under program HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries), represented the poorest countries with the high foreign debt. Within the limits of this program in 2003 the decision on allocation to it within three years of 22 million US dollars is accepted. One of main donors is the Great Britain. In 2000 it has granted Ghana financial aid at a rate of 40 million the pounds sterling which large part intended on government program support on struggle against poverty «Ghana – Vizhn 2020». In June 2004 the agreement on granting of the next grant by the Great Britain at a rate of 5,62 million pounds sterling signed. In the same month France has written off to Ghana a debt in the sum of 116 million euro.
Together with Malawi, Uganda and other African states Ghana the American initiative on reaction to crisis situations in the countries of Africa », developed in 1997 participated in program realisation«. In 2000 two ganskih a battalion participated in peace-making operations in Serrra-Leon. Besides sharing in EKOMOG (to group on settlement of conflicts in the Western Africa created within the limits of EKOVAS), the country participates in formation United Nations peace-keeping force: in their structure serve 2139 ganskih military men (on this indicator Ghana takes the sixth place in the world). President Dzh. Kufuor, executing responsibilities of chairman EKOVAS in 2002–2003, has played the important role in conflict settlement in the Cat-d'ivuare.
In January 2003 at conference NPP J. Kufuor it is selected by the candidate of the party on the presidential elections nominated for December 2004. In March 2004 registration of voters for sharing in general election has begun. It was planned to photograph in advance voters and to grant to each the special certificate (in order to avoid frauds at count of voices). The parliament will be expanded on 30 places. In the spring 2004 in of Tamale and area Jendi because of open collisions of supporters correcting NPP and consignments NDK state of emergency is entered. For the purpose discussions of the general problems in preparation and elections chairmen NPP, NDK, NNK and NPK («the convent People party», it is based in 1993) have created in May 2004 so-called. «The closed club».
