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| Colonial Long Name: | Colony of the Gold Coast |
| Current post-colonial Name: | Ghana |
| Colonial Status: | Colony of the United Kingdom |
| Colonial Period | 1821–1957 |
| Capital: | Cape Coast (1821–1877); Accra (1877–1957) |
| Colonial National Anthem(s) | God Save the King (1821–1837; 1901–1952) God Save the Queen (1837–1901; 1952–1957) |
| Current National Anthem | God Bless Our Homeland Ghana |
| Common Languages: | English, French, Ga, Akan, Ewe, Dangme, Dagbani, Dagaare, Gonja, Kasena, Nzema |
| Religion: | Christianity, Islam, Traditional African religions |
| Colonial Currencies: | Gold Coast ackey, British West African pound |
| Current Currency | Cedi |
| Colonial Leaders | George IV (1821–1830)); William IV (1830–1837); Victoria (1837–1901; Edward VII (1901–1910); George V (1910–1936); Edward VIII (1936-1936); George VI (1936–1952); Elizabeth II (1952–1957); |
| Colonial Governors | John Hope Smith (1821–1822); Charles Arden-Clarke (1949–1957) |
| Colonial Legislature: | Legislative Council |
Summary of the Gold Coast Article
The Gold Coast, a British Crown colony on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa from 1821 to 1957, became independent as Ghana. It encompassed the Gold Coast, Ashanti, Northern Territories protectorate, and British Togoland. European exploration began with the Portuguese in 1471, who built the Castle of Elmina for trade in gold and slaves. Other Europeans, including the British, Dutch, and Danes, followed, establishing forts and engaging in the slave trade, which was a major economic driver. The British Royal Trading Company, later succeeded by the African Company of Merchants, managed trade until 1821, when the British government took direct control, incorporating Danish (1850) and Dutch (1872) territories.
The Ashanti, a dominant ethnic group, frequently clashed with the British, leading to four Anglo-Ashanti Wars (1822–1900). The British ultimately defeated the Ashanti in 1896, making their territory a protectorate in 1902. By 1901, the British unified the Gold Coast under one administration, exploiting resources like gold, diamonds, and cocoa, and building infrastructure like railways. Efforts to abolish slavery began in 1874 but were not fully enforced until the 1920s.
Nationalist movements grew after World War II, with the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) formed in 1947, advocating for self-government. Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP), founded in 1949, demanded immediate independence, gaining mass support. The 1951 constitution increased African representation, and Nkrumah became leader of government business after winning elections. By 1954, a new constitution granted significant self-governance. In 1956, British Togoland voted to join the Gold Coast, and on March 6, 1957, the colony achieved independence as Ghana, with Nkrumah as its leader.
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