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Basic 3 · History · The People of Ghana

The Origin of the Guan and Others

In this topic you will learn about the Guan, who are believed to be among the earliest people in Ghana, and review all the origins.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Explain the origin of the Guan
  • Name Guan groups and where they live
  • Review the origins of the major ethnic groups

What you already know

  • The origin of the Mole-Dagbani

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
My country Ghana
Sub-strand
The People of Ghana
Indicator
B3.2.1.1.1 – Discuss the origins of the major ethnic groups in Ghana

Introduction

Historians believe the Guan were among the first peoples to settle in what is now Ghana. They are found in many regions.

1. The Guan

  • The Guan are believed to have come down from the north, along the Volta River.
  • They spread to many parts of Ghana.
  • Guan groups include the Effutu (Winneba), Larteh and Anum (Eastern), Nkonya (Oti) and Gonja (Savannah).

2. Review of Origins

Origins of major ethnic groups (traditions)
Ethnic groupTradition of origin
Akanthe north-west (old Ghana Empire) or from the earth at places like Asantemanso
Ga-Adangbethe east (area of present-day Nigeria)
EweKetu, then Notsie (Togo)
Mole-DagbaniTohazie from the east; Naa Gbewa at Pusiga
Guanthe north, along the Volta River
Map of Ghana with arrows showing the traditions of origin of five groups
Figure 1: Where our peoples came from Copy the map and its key.Base map: Sémhur, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New words

Guan
A people believed to be among Ghana's earliest settlers.
earliest
First in time.
spread
To move out over a wide area.
review
To go over again.

Summary

  • The Guan are believed to be among the earliest people in Ghana.
  • They came from the north along the Volta River.
  • Each major ethnic group has its own tradition of origin.

Class activity: Origins Quiz

  1. Make question cards about each group's origin.
  2. Quiz another group.
  3. Mark the routes on the map.

You need: Ghana map, Printed photographs of Ghanaian ethnic groups, Kente, Smock fabric samples

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which group is believed to be among the earliest settlers in Ghana?

    • A. Guan
    • B. Ewe
    • C. Ga
    • D. Akan
    Show answer
    Answer: GuanHistorians believe this.

  2. 2. Which group's tradition mentions Notsie?

    • A. Ewe
    • B. Akan
    • C. Guan
    • D. Dagomba
    Show answer
    Answer: EweThe Ewe escaped from Notsie.

  3. 3. The Effutu of Winneba are Guan.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueThey are Guan.

  4. 4. The Ga-Adangbe tradition says they came from the north-west.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseTheir tradition says the east.

  5. 5. First in time means ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: earliestThat is earliest.

  6. 6. Name two Guan groups.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any two: Effutu, Larteh, Anum, Nkonya, Gonja.These are Guan.

Homework

  1. Make a table of the five groups and their origins in your book.