SLAVE TRADE IN THE GOLD COAST (GHANA)

The slave trade in the Gold Coast (Ghana) began in the (15^th) century peak, slaves replaced Gold as the as the most important export commodity from the Gold Coast. During the 18^th Century alone it has been expected that, the Gold Coast exported over half a millions slaves. There were many sources for the slaves that fill the slave ships of the Gold Coast. Prisoner of wards were and slave and they constituted the lagers proportion of the total slaves output exported from the Gold Coast. Powerful kingdoms in the south such as Denkyira and Ashanti with introduction of the European Guns, waged expansionist wards and sold captured people as slave. Traders noted that wards “made Golds Scarce but Negroes Plenty” slave raiding was another major source of slave especially in the “North” Samori Toure and Baba Ato were the every notorious slave raiders, villages so feared slave raiders that, they will build defence walls to help protect themselves. Many of these defences can still be seen in the Northern Areas of Ghana. Slaves had to be transported from the Hinter Land to slave markets and castles and Forts and Coast.

The slave roots in the Gold Coast linked to the Gold Coast Coastal Markets and to the Atlantic World. Kumasi was the centre from which all the slave roots in Gold Coast radiated North Words, and South Words in to present day Burkina Faso, Coted Ivoir and Benin. Slave roots also connected many smaller slave markets and post around the Gold Coast. The journey to the coastal slave markets was long and odours, some traders would march slaves from as far North as Salaga, Paga, Sakpeli and Ougadougou. There was many stops along the way ether in markets, caves or transit camps. Major transit camps existed in Sakpeli in the North, and Paga in further North. These camps have cisterns for holding drinking and cooking water. Large Bawbaw trees to which the slaves were chained. Watch towers to look for escaping slaves and slave raiders as well as common grave yards were dead slaves were buried. Assin Manso in the Central Region was an important stop over, on the way to coastal markets. Due to the long journey, slaves were found to have lost energy and vitality and look very weak and dirty. At Assin Manso there were made to wash down in the river known as “Ndonko Nsou” meaning Slave River. There were also fed to increase their health and they were smear with palm oil so that their skins looked fresh young and tractive to the merchants and will fetch good prices. There were numerous slave markets dotted around the Gold Coast, and surrounding areas. At list thirty five slave markets were identify during the period of the slaves trade. Slaves were traded for Golds, Drinks, Guns and Gun Powder, Cowries and other items. Eventually, most of the slaves ended up in the coastal Forts, and Castles to be shipped to Europe or America. Salaga in the North was one of the most famous slave market in the Gold Coast, because of its position, salaga was linked to the major Transe – Sahara trade roots and the market there, was filled with traders from all over the region, were slaves was sold and bought there were chained together by the necks in groups of ten or fifteen, other slaves were fastened to a long rope with iron shackles around their legs. Once slaves became the major export of the Gold Coast it increase the number of trade networks. The Dutch, English, and Danes dominated these networks and were responsible for building many of the Forts and castles on the coast. These fortifications became so dense that, the stretch of the Gold Coast average One Fort per Fifteen Km, because it was so lucrative, the period of the slave trade was characterised by rivalry with numerous clashes and conflicts between European Powers aim at asserting authority and ensure a monopoly of trade.

The Elimina Castle was able to withstand Dutch attacks in 1596 and 1625, because of its effective defence. However, the Dutch succeeded in dislodging the Porto-guise from Elimina Castle in 1657. The English also bombarded the Elimina Castle in 1781. They captured Cape Coast Castle in 1665 and it was twice attacked by the French in 1703 and 1757. Because of the role these places played in this important and tragic part of human history, the world heritage convention of UNECO has designated the Forts and Castles of Ghana as world heritage Monuments. The Forts and Castles on the coast were the final stop before slaves were sent on to Europe and the Americans. Once, slaves arrived they were heralded in to Dungeons to wait the arrival of slave ships. They were separate Dungeons for Men and Women and both places were small, darck, and duty. The “Door of No Return” was the last passage through which slaves passed on their way to the slaves’ ships. This name was taken literally, once slaves passed through the door, they were not coming back and wold never again see their home land. The British abolish slave trade in 1807. Many communities that were dissipated by the slave trade, began to build again with the hard work of free slaves and the hope that, humanity will never again repeat these tragedy. America abolish slave trade in 1865.