ECONOMY

Ancient Ghana's main resources were salt, ivory, and gold. The empire was ruled and governed by a kingship, originally a Soninke king named Ghana, which is where the empire's name derived. It was originally called Wagadugu. Economic success didn't take long and the empire expanded mainly because it was literally a "Gold Mine". The Ghana empire rose to power mainly by capitalizing from the gold trade, as well as copper, iron-smelting, and salt. In some instances, a large amount of revenue was gained by selling slaves or people captured from war. Around these resources, the empire's first city was established; Kumbi Saleh. It was the southern heart of the Saharan trading routes.

In addition, Ghana introduced the use of camels to the Trans-Saharan trading routes. Camels made moving resources from one place to another very profitable. The quantity Ancient Ghanaians were able to trade salt and gold quite effectively by using these animals. The trading routes went from west Africa to eastern Egypt, and as far as the Middle East. Later, it expanded even farther, which caused a rush of other groups to seek settlement in Ghana. The same as today, people migrated to places where they could benefit economically. As a result, different groups came in and fought for power of the empire. Subsequently, the king lost his trading monopoly and droughts became a major problem. Eventually, the Almoravid Muslims invaded.