On this day in 1979: Ghana adopts constitution

Start:	Sep 24, '09
Location:	Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The word Ghana means "Warrior King,"

Ghana was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient predominantly Akan Kingdoms, including the Akwamu on the eastern coast, the inland Ashanti Empire and various Fante and, also non Akan states like the Ga and Ewe along the coast and inland. Trade with European states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established a crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874.

Part of the Gold Coast, Ghana achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, becoming the first Sub-Saharan African nation to do so, and the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of western Africa.

Scientists have traced the African American slave trade to Ghana and other western parts of the continent, meaning, a large percentage of black American ancestors were born in that region. English is the official language, though citizens also speak their tribal dialects.

Ghana is now one of the most stable democracies in all of Africa. President Obama, who recently visited the country, held it up as a role model for other African nations to emulate.