Current Ghana draws its name from the kingdom of Ghana, although its territory does not correspond to that of this old medieval State. The development of the country is related to that of Trans-Saharan trade route, with the penetration of Islam in Black Africa and with the migrations of various people, in particular those of Mandés, Haoussas and Akans (XIII E - XVI E S.).

Europeans (Portuguese, then English, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Prussian) based as of the end of the XV E century of the counters on the coast, attracted by the importance of the gold bearing layers of the area. The forest surface was dominated at the XVIIIe century by powerful Empire aschanti whose sovereigns, resident with Koumassi, resisted British colonization until 1901. The British created in 1874 the colony of Coast-in-the Or and developed the culture of the cocoa to with it. In the center and north of territory, the populations were pursued at the time of the draft négrière, so that the forest South was, at the end of the XIX E century, more populated, more structured and more dynamic than the septentrional and central areas.  

This colony, into which old Togo British was integrated, obtained its independence on on March 6th, 1957 and took the name of Ghana, magnifying the historical pride of West Africa. Ghana is then the first African territory reaching independence to the XX E the most prosperous century and of the countries of the gulf of Guinea. In 1960, the republic is proclaimed, Ghana remaining member of the Commonwealth. Kwamé Nkrumah, charismatic leader, cantor of the Pan-Africanism and an original socialist African way, place themselves in charge of the country; Ghana becomes a symbol and an example.  

 From 1957 with the fall of Nkrumah, in February 1966, the economic situation worsens. For this same period, the mode begins in a progressive state control, reinforcing the weight of CPP (Convention People' S Party) on the political wheels. The inversion of the mode opens one period of instability, of permanent fights between civilians and soldiers. After short interludes of civil government (1969-1972 and 1979), the coup d'etat of December 30th, 1981 carries lieutenant Jerry Rawlings to the power.

The Constitution approved by referendum on on April 28th, 1992 founds democratic principles, and on on November 3rd, 1992, Jerry Rawlings was elected president of Ghana by the vote for all. Ghana entered in 1993 pennies its IV E République. The bursting of the government coalition in 1995 and the resignation of Kwesi Botchwey, man key of the financial adjustment, show however that the economic reforms constitute a vigorous line of cleavage. Jerry Rawlings was re-elected with the presidency in 1996.