The end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the nineteenth century is often presented in historical narratives as a clear moral victory led by European abolitionists. However, in reality, the process was complex, uneven, and frequently misrepresented—particularly in early newspapers and colonial reports. In the region now known as Ghana, selective reporting played a crucial…
The history of slavery and abolition in the area now known as Ghana is deeply intertwined with global economic systems, imperial expansion, African political structures, and the emergence of print journalism as a powerful instrument of public opinion. From the fifteenth century through the nineteenth century, slavery evolved from localized systems of servitude into a…
Long before colonial stadium lights and organised leagues, the sandy shores and village squares of the Gold Coast—today’s Ghana—were vibrant arenas where traditional wrestling was among the most respected cultural practices. From the early 19th century up to the turn of the 20th century, indigenous grappling contests were not mere entertainment; they were deeply embedded…
In Ghana today, many parents encourage their children to speak English, sometimes at the expense of local languages. This trend is common not only in Ghana but also among Ghanaian families living abroad. While parents may believe that prioritizing English will make their children academically brighter, this approach often has unintended consequences for cultural identity…
The first English newspaper on the continent of Africa was published in Cape Town in 1800. The following year in Sierra Leone, The Royal Gazette and Sierra Leone Advertiser were published in Freetown. Both were European undertakings concerned with matters of government. In 1826, Charles Force, an American freed slave, published the Liberia Herald. He…
