Gold Coast
From IBWiki
| http://www.geocities.com/flagsofillbethisad/ka.gif | |
| National motto: | |
| Languages | |
| Official | Dalmatian |
| Other | Local languages |
| Capital | Akra |
| Important Cities | Abuxha, Lagos, Enugu |
| HOS TITLE | President |
| COG TITLE | Lt. Yon Rawlings |
| Area | |
| Population | |
| Independence | from CSDS |
| (declared) | 25 January 1949 |
| (recognized) | 8 February 1951 |
| Currency | |
| Organizations | KSD |
Contents |
General information
Administration
Government
Administrative Divisions
History
The history of Gold Coast is closely intertwined with the history of Gadangmeland, thus the two will be presented here, together.
ca. 1400 Yoruba kingdom of Oyo established in southwestern part of East Gold Coast
ca. 1600 A commonwealth of Adangme tribes is created forming the Chiefdom of Ga. It is the first centralized chiefdom on the Gold Coast with its capital at Okaikoi, near present-day Ayawaso. Its cultural influences spread to other cheifdoms along the Gold Coast, and slave provinces are established for Akan slaves at Akwapim and Akwamu
1621 establishment of first Austro-Dalmatian outposts on the Gold Coast
ca. mid 1600s By this time, Europeans had begun trading along the coast and the Ga capital is moved to Akra. The Ga dominate coastal trade with the interior people. They establish a market at Abonse, a few miles north-east of Akra. By doing so, the Ga succeed in confining the Akim and Akwamu traders at this market to trade only with them, and prevent them from coming into direct trading contact with the Europeans on the coast. The Akim Chiefdom essentially becomes a vassal of the Ga Chiefdom.
1651 The Danish-Norwegian king, Christian IV, creates the Danish African Company to trade along the Slave Coast, the Grain Coast, the Gold Coast, and the Ivory Coast
1658 The Dano-Norwegians conquer the Swedish built castle in Osu (near Akra) and name it Christiansborg
1659 The Dano-Norwegian build Frederiksborg Castle in the Cape Coast
1671 The Danish African Company merges with the Danish West Indian Company, forming the Danish Guinea-Westindian Company
1672 Sep 27 Imperial and Royal Africa Company administration of Austro-Dalmatian outposts and settlements begins
1677 The Battle of Nyantrabi. The Akwamu, wishing to have direct trade with the Europeans, engaged Akra in battle, which results in the decisive defeat of Ga by the Akwamu. Akim gains full independence and Akra becomes a vassal of Akwamu until 1739. The other Adangme chiefdoms become independent
1680 The Portuguese conquer Christiansborg, only to abandon it in 1682
1682 The Akwamu take control of Christiansborg
1683 The Danes retake control of Christiansborg
1685 The Austro-Dalmatians conquer Frederiksborg Castle and rename it Cape Coast Castle. It becomes the capital of the Austro-Dalmatian Gold Coast. The Dano-Norwegians then move their capital of Danish Guinea to Christiansborg in Osu (near Akra). The Dano-Norwegian strategy from then on becomes a move of expansion east of Christiansborg to eventually dominate the entire Volta River delta.
1704 territory of Eastern Gold Coast and Western Gold Coast merged into one entity. The Austro-Dalmatian outposts and forts had hitherto been independent of each other; from this point they are governed by a single General Governor
1739 The tables are changed when the Ga-Adangmes regain their independence from Akwapim, and Akwapim becomes a vassal of the Ga-Adangmes.
1750s Protestant missionaries arrive in Danish Guinea
1783 The Battle of Anlo. The Ewe Kingdom of Anlo came into conflict with the Dano-Norwegians after attacking and killing a Danish trader. In the battle that ensued, the Danes were supported by the Ga, Ada, Akwapim and Akim, all traditional enemies of the Anlo. The Anlo were defeated and were thus under the dominion of the Danes. The Castle of Prinsensten is built in Keta near Anlo.
1787 Free schooling for slave children throughout Danish Guinea-Westindia. At the same time, the old Adangme commonwealth is recreated when the Krobo-Adangmes and the Ada-Adangmes join the Ga-Adangmes under the rule of Ga-Mantse Tackie I.
1792 The slave-trade is declared illegal by the Danish King. The full effect to be enforced ten years later. This ten year period so a drastic rise in the amount of slaves sent to the Danish West Indies (Cruzan Islands) as plantation owners try to ensure their share of slaves before the full effect of the ban
1803 The full effect of the slave-trade ban is enforced. The Dano-Norwegians and the Adangmes try to find alternatives to the slave trade. Palm oil and sugar plantations are experimented with, unfortunately, the Danish Gold Coast (the Volta River Delta) is the driest part of the Gold Coast and is not ideal for plantations. Only the Akwapim and Akwamu highlands are suitable. Most of Gadangmeland is coastal savanah - actually, quite unique in the Gold Coast.
1809 Danish Guinea-Westindia becomes Scandinavian Guinea-Westindia when Sweden goes into personal union with Denmark-Norway
1815 A grand irrigation project is completed so that plantations can also created in the Volta River Delta
1821 May 7 Austro-Dalmatian Gold Coast becomes an Imperial & Royal Crown Colony
1826 The Katamanso War. Perhaps the greatest set-piece battle West Africa has ever known and the turning point of Gadangmeland history. The Ashantis had by this time become very aggressive. Akim had become its vassal, and Awutu, Akwapim and Akwamu (all vassals of Ga-Adangme) were next. Ashanti sent 40000 warriors to subdue the Ga-Adangmes in the Krobo plains. The Ga-Adangmes and their allies (the Awutu-Adangmes, the Krobo-Adangmes, the Ada-Adangmes, the Akwapim-Akans, the Akwamu-Akans, the Anlo-Ewes, and the Scandinavians) numbered only 15000 (including only 60 Scandinavian soldiers). But they managed to defeat the Ashantis. This "Gadangmeland Alliance" (between Ga-Adangmes, Krobos, Akwapims, Akwamus, Anlos, and Scandinavian colonists) remains to this day
1833 The Gold Coast is divided into spheres of influences between Batavians, Austro-Dalmatians, and Scandinavians. The Scandinavians want influence over the Ga-Adangmes, Krobos, the Adas, the Awutus, the Anlo-Ewes, Akwapim, Akwamu, and Akim. But an influential Scandinavian mulatto trader, feeling his business threatened by the Scandinavian demands, tries to bribe the Henes of Akwapim, Akwamu, and Akim not to sign the agreement with the Scandinavians. Only Akim avoids meeting with the Scandinavians and ends up under the Austro-Dalmatian sphere of influence
1850 After repeated harassment by the Ashantis, the Austro-Dalmatians and the Batavians decide to move their capital to their respective castles in Akra. The climate near the Akwapim highlands was also regarded to be friendlier for Europeans. Akra then becomes a condominium capital between the Scandinavian, Batavian, and the Austro-Dalmatation Gold Coast colonies when on 1850 Mar 30 the Agreement on Condominium is reached, which stipulated that Austro-Dalmatia must also ban the slave trade.
1872 After continued harrasment by the Ashantis, the Batavians give up and sell their possessions to Austro-Dalmatia - who is the only interested buyer. Austro-Dalmatia then begins an aggressive campaign to subdue the Ashantis
1885 Austro-Dalmatian claims to the interior of East Gold Coast receive international recognition
1896 The Ashanti capital, Kumasi, falls to the Austro-Dalmatians. The Ashanti lands and its vassals (Akim and Fanti) are added to the Austro-Dalmatian Gold Coast
1900 It becomes clear to the chiefs in Gadangmeland that the Austro-Dalmatians are very dominant in West Africa, and that European protection is the only way to ensure some independence. So the Mantses (chiefs) of Gadangmeland agree to make Gadangmeland a Scandinavian protectorate
1905 Due to political change that results in Austro-Dalmatia's name changing to Austrian Empire, the colony is renamed Austrian Gold Coast.
1919 After Dalmatia becomes part of the Danubian Confederation after the defeat of the Austrian Empire in GW1, the colony is renamed Danubian Gold Coast
1941 After the Danubian Confederation is occupied by the Holy Roman Empire, Olusegun Azikiwe's separatist army attempts to overtake whole Gold Coast.
1942 Olusegun Akiziwe overtakes whole southern Gold Coast and declares Empire of Ashanti in the area.
1948 Empire of Ashanti is defeated by Scandinavian, Danubian (CSDS), Portuguese coalition.
1949 Gold Coast as an independent state is established by the Scandinavians and the Portuguese, at first it is not recognised by the CSDS.
1951 Feb 8 In keeping with CSDS policy on treatment of the former Austro-Dalmatian (subsequently Danubian) colonies, Danubian Gold Coast's independence is recognised.
1953 Gadangmeland becomes fully independent but decides to remain within the Commonwealth of the Scandinavian Realm - in personal union with the Scandinavian King and in free association with the Commonwealth government. This gesture is formalized with the enstoolment of King Frederik the IX of Scandinavia as Grand-Mantse (Grand Chief) of Gadangmeland. The local chiefs retain their traditional rights over the traditional states. While the local Scandinavian colonists retain their rights along the coastal settlements and their plantations
1960 Plebiscite creates a republic on July 1, with Kvame Nkruma as president
1964 Completion of the Akosombo Dam, a joint project between Gadangmeland and the Gold Coast, and with Scandinavian and CSDS aid
1966 Feb 24 While Nkruma is in Russia, army stages widely popular coup. National Liberation Council(NLC), led by General Yosef Ankra, comes to power. Russian technicians expelled
1967 May 27 Biafran secession announced
1967 May 30 Biafran war begins
1970 Jan 15 Biafra surrenders, war ends
1972 Jan 13 Lt Col Ignaciu Aczeampong leads a military coup in January that brings National Redemption Council to power
1975 The NRC is replaced by the Supreme Military Council (SMC) also led by Aczeampong
1976 Despite rising oil prices in the world bringing more revenue into the country, this profit is not seen by the populace, and charges of corruption are levelled at Aczeampong's government.
1976 Feb 13 Capt Olusegun Obasanxho attempts a coup, but this is put down and Obasanxho is executed 1978 A referendum is held in favour of union government
1978 July 5 Aczeampong forced to resign by fellow officers; General Federiku Akufo takes over
1979 June 4 A violent coup deposes Akufo by a group of junior and non-commissioned officers - the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council - with Lt Yon Rawlings as its chairman. The ARFC executes eight senior military officers including Aczeampong and Akufo and establishes Special Tribunals that try dozens of military officers, other government officials and private individuals for corruption, confiscating their property and sentencing them to long prison terms
1979 July ARFC accepts proposed new constitution; elections scheduled
1979 Sep 24 ARFC hands power over to the newly elected president and parliament. Dr. Hila Liman is elected president; his People's National Party wins 71 of the 140 parliamentary seats. The new government establishes the constitutional institutions and generally respects democracy and individual human rights, however it failed to halt the continuing economic decline; corruption flourishes and the gap between rich and poor widens.
1981 Dec 31 Lt Rawlings and a small group soldiers launch a coup and topple President Liman, suspending the 1979 constitution, dismissing the president and his cabinet, dissolving the parliament and proscribing existing political parties and establishing the Provisional National Defence Council, initially composed of seven members with Rawlings as chairman, to exercise executive and legislative powers. The existing judicial system was preserved, but alongside it the PNDC created the National Investigation Committee to root out corruption and other economic offenses, the anonymous Citizens' Vetting Committee to punish tax evasion, and the Public Tribunals to try various crimes. The PNDC proclaimed its intent to allow the people to exercise political power through defense committees to be established in communities, workplaces, and in units of the armed forces and police. Under the PNDC, Gold Coast remained a unitary government
1982 Dec The PNDC announced a plan to decentralize government from Akra to the regions, the districts, and local communities, but it maintained overall control by appointing regional and district secretaries who exercised executive powers and also chaired regional and district councils. Local councils, however, were expected progressively to take over the payment of salaries, with regions and districts assuming more powers from the national government
1983 Dec 31 Col Muhamadu Buhari attempts a coup; this fails and he is executed
1992 April 22 Under international and domestic pressure for a return to democracy, the PNDC allowed the establishment of a 258-member Consultative Assembly made up of members representing geographic districts as well as established civic or business organizations. The assembly was charged to draw up a draft constitution to establish a fourth republic, using PNDC proposals. The PNDC accepted the final product without revision, and it was put to a national referendum on April 28, 1992, in which it received 92% approval
1992 May 18 The ban on party politics was lifted in preparation for multi-party elections. The PNDC and its supporters formed a new party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to contest the elections
1992 Nov 3 Presidential elections held
1992 Dec 29 Parliamentary elections held, but the opposition boycotted the parliamentary elections, which resulted in a 200 seat Parliament with only 17 opposition party members and two independents
1993 Jan 7 New constitution enters into force and Lt Yon Rawlings is inaugurated as president
1996 The opposition fully contested the presidential and parliamentary elections, which were described as peaceful, free, and transparent by domestic and international observers. In that election, President Rawlings was re-elected with 57% of the popular vote. In addition, Rawlings' NDC party won 133 of the Parliament's 200 seats, just one seat short of the two-thirds majority needed to amend the Constitution
Like most African nations, Gold Coast consists of many different groups forced to co-exist within artificial boundaries drawn by the European power that had formerly controlled the region. An Austro-Dalmatian, then Danubian colony until its independence in 1951, Gold Coast became a republic with five regional governments, in which the ruling party dominated the new nation. A crisis occurred in 1964 when electoral boycotts took place during the general elections. Then in 1965 disorders broke out after the ruling political party rigged elections in the West-Central (Ibo) region.
The regions attempted to negotiate the formation of a new government from September to November 1966 but failed to produce an agreement, in part because the representatives of the Eastern Region failed to appear after the first conference. Although more negotiations took place in 1967, the situation quickly deteriorated, and on May 27, Lieut. Col. C. O. Oxhukvu, empowered by the Eastern Region's Consultative Assembly, declared the Eastern Region a sovereign and independent republic. The federal government declared a state emergency and divided Gold Coast into 16 states.
On May 30, Oxhukvu proclaimed the secession of the Eastern Region and the formation of the Republic of Biafra. Soon, fighting broke out between the federal and the Biafran forces. Although the Biafran forces at first did well, by early October the federal forces had captured Enugu, their capital. Despite attempts by the Organization of African Unity to end the civil war, hostilities continued until 1970 at which point the federal forces had starved the Biafran population into submission. Oxhukvu fled the country on January 11, and a delegation to Lagos formally surrendered on January 15, 1970, thus ending the existence of the Republic of Biafra.
