Post #618

⚡Yesterday, Ghana celebrated its Independence Day. On 6 March 1957, what was known as the Gold Coast became Ghana, though the metal still occupies an important place in its economy and self-identity. ⏱ Europeans had come to Ghana for gold since 1471, when Portuguese ships opened direct trade on the Ghanaian coast, which was named "Gold Coast” due to the abundance of gold. During the late British rule one of the Empire's major gold sources was the Obuasi mine in Ghana's Ashanti region: industrial production began there in 1897. It is still operational, technically run by the same legal entity — AngloGold Ashanti. 🏆After independence, Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah tried to redirect that wealth into state-building: in January 1961 the government bought 5 gold mines and folded them into the State Gold Mining Corporation, until the liberalization of the late 20th century. 🇬🇭But there is more to Ghana's gold, than just economic policies. Raised on 6 March 1957, Ghana's very flag designed by Theodosia Okoh symbolizes the country's gold wealth (yellow) and its lands and nature (green). Today Ghana still has to genuinely deliver on the promises of the 69-year old flag: the gold stripe is still being dug out fast, while the green stripe is being destroyed by illegal mining. However, now, 69 years later, Ghana is also no longer just about gold — the main actor today is, and should be, its people! #History ✈️ Stay informed - @devilsbelow