How Ghana Got Its Name · B1 History

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B1.2.3.1.1 - Explain why, in the past, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

State that Ghana was formerly called the Gold Coast.
Explain that the name “Gold Coast” came from Portuguese traders who found large amounts of gold along the coast.
Identify the Portuguese phrase “costa da mina” and its English meaning, “Gold Coast.”
Describe how the name was changed from Gold Coast to Ghana.
Mention that Dr J.B. Danquah proposed the new name “Ghana” based on the ancient Ghana Empire.

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Curriculum details

Strand: My Country Ghana (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: How Ghana Got Its Name (2.3)
Content standard: B1.2.3.1 - Demonstrate understanding of why Ghana used to be called the Gold Coast'
Indicator: B1.2.3.1.1 - Explain why, in the past, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast.
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 2 (Week 14 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: History Curriculum (Basic 1-6), 2019, p. 4
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Enquiry route: Why did the country change its name from the Gold Coast to Ghana? Who proposed the change of name? Why was the new name proposed?
1. Explain how the name was changed from Gold Coast to Ghana Discuss the English translation of the Portuguese name costa da mina - Gold Coast
2. Use the internet to locate ancient Ghana empire and the Akan forest regions of Ghana
3. Discuss the role of Dr J.B. Danquah in linking the civilisations of the ancient Ghana Empire to the Akan of the forest region of Ghana