With a name now proudly borne by the modern Republic of Ghana, this was one of the earliest documented of the Great Empires of West Africa. At its peak Ghana (also known as Wagadu) stretched through what is now southern Mauritania and western Mali, covering an area about twice the size of Great Britain.

The origins of the empire date back to 400 AD. Ghana grew and prospered as a result of its strategic location straddling the trans-Saharan trade routes. Berber traders from North Africa bartered Salt and other commodities for Gold brought from Ghana’s southern provinces.

As Ghana prospered and its fame spread, it attracted the attention of African historians and chroniclers of the day, such as Abu Ubayd al-Bakri. They describe the grandeur of the capital Koumbi Saleh (200 miles north of modern Bamako, Mali) and the majesty of its rulers, Kings who were also known as ‘Ghana’, as well as the bustling commercial activity in the northern market town of Audaghost.

The Empire was largely populated by Mande-speaking people, whose descendants today can still be found in areas of modern Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Gambia.

The coming of Islam to Africa led to the decline of the empire in 11th century. An army of Islamic Berbers called the Almoravids and under the leadership of Abu Bakr attacked Ghana from the North as part of an Islamic Jihad. They conquered Audaghost in 1054, and Ghana’s capital Koumbi Saleh fell in 1076. Although the Almoravids were unable to sustain their conquest of Ghana, they left it badly weakened and Sundiata, the emperor of another of the great West African Empire – Mali, eventually conquered it in 1240.