Colonialism

Introduction

Colonialism had profound implications for both the colonizers and the colonized, which is why a sophisticated understanding of economic geography must include some understanding of this process. Globally, colonialism produced the division between the world's developed and less developed countries(Asante 45). Colonialism changed Europe too, increasing the formation of capitalist social relations and markets as well as nation-states in Western Europe. Prior to colonialism, Europe was a relatively poor and powerless part of the world, compared with the Muslim world, India, or China; afterward, Europe became the most powerful collection of societies on the planet.

Impacts of Colonization on Ghana

On 1 July 1960, the Republic was proclaimed. The charismatic leader Nkrumah, nicknamed by his people, the Osagyefo ("Redeemer"), was elected president. Proud of the fact that Ghana became the first independent country in black Africa, Nkrumah became the spokesperson for the Pan, only capable, he said, to avoid the bursting of country artificially created by colonialism(Dowden 21).

He wanted to see Africa united politically, decolonization was only the prelude to economic reconstruction, political, social and cultural life throughout the continent. He pursued a dream: the United States of Africa. However, he failed to argue his thesis: the union that tried to operate between Ghana, Guinea and Mali was a failure.

Kwame Nkrumah turned to socialism modeled on the state planning of the communist bloc. His policy was to lead the country into bankruptcy. In linguistic terms, began a heated debate in Parliament because the government and elites(Falola 41). The dispute concerns the problem of national language and opposed two distinct groups: those on the one hand, who wanted that Ghana gets a true national language and, secondly, that held opponents to English.

Some wanted to encourage the development of a national language based on linguistic realities of Ghana: the majority of the population speak Akan one way or another. Others added that the adoption of this language would destroy the "tribalism" and "ills". Many claimed that Ghana should have its own national language and the acquisition of this language would be an attribute of national sovereignty.

Finally, some invoked the role of the Akan as a symbol of national unity. Thus, the MP for the constituency in Kumasi North-Asafo Agyiei, submitted the following proposal: "Parliament considers that the Akan language should now be taught in all schools in Ghana"(Gordon 14). His argument was intended to reflect the linguistic realities of Ghana where the majority of the population spoke one way Akan (language) or another (second language).

This lucrative trade aroused the envy of other colonial powers of the time, which came as it were "rescue" of the Portuguese. Indeed, between between 1637 and 1641, the Dutch succeeded in driving the Portuguese in West Africa by taking their main strongholds. In 1642, the territory of Ghana belonged to the Dutch. European trade favored the dominance of Ashanti who exercised unchallenged hegemony over neighboring peoples, who owed ??their tribute in slaves. Portuguese colonization left considerable traces the linguistic point of view. The Portuguese did not transmit ...