Pre-colonial economic activities of Ga

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Pre-colonial economic activities of Ga
Author:	Odotei, Irene
Year:	1995
Periodical:	Research Review
Volume:	11
Issue:	1-2
Pages:	60-74
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	Ga subsistence economy
Abstract:	The land of the Ga stretches from the coast of Ghana, from their capital at Accra northwards to the foot of the Akwapim hills. By the time the British government took over the administration of the Gold Coast in 1874, the economic activities of the Ga had already advanced beyond the 'primitive communal' stage. Their precolonial productive activities centred on farming, livestock rearing, fishing, and salt making. Generally people engaged in more than one occupation, depending on the season. Trading was an important activity. Whereas the Ga were self-sufficient in fish, salt, and livestock, they depended on their neighbours for much of their other food requirements. The establishment of the Europeans on the Ga coast from the 16th century introduced new trade items and the Ga became important middlemen between the inland States and the Europeans in the trade in gold, slaves, ivory, and palm oil. Trading activities, which initially depended on the barter system, advanced to the use of commodity currency and also helped to establish a monetary system on the coast involving the use of gold and cowrie shells. Notes, ref.