Forts and Castles of Ghana, Movie Review Example

The Functionality of the European Slave Trade

John Kufuor, former president of Ghana recognized the people of Ghana as its greatest asset in the documentary, The Forts and Castles of Ghana, narrated by Danny Glover. Rumored as welcoming and accepting, it is not impossible to see why.  A few centuries ago, Ghanaian leaders may have also claimed the people as its most valuable asset, but for a very different reason. During the time of the European slave trade, both Ghanaian leaders and European merchants saw slavery as a functional institution, and in the European’s case it virtually was. As for the Ghanaians, slavery has left a legacy of grievous memories, political instability and ethnic separation, which has lead to radical social movement.

The Elmina Castle, erected in the 15^th century by the Portuguese was the first trading castle, and possibly the best known.  According to an article in Journeys, by Cheryl Finley, castles and forts such as the Elmina Castle are important in remembering the painful past of Ghana and the hopeful future (Finley 15).

At first, the castles were used simply as trading posts for riches such as gold and later, according to Stephen Gyasi Jr., “[were used] later as holding posts for human cargo.”Gyasi continued to explain that about 7 million slaves were shipped from Ghana in 200 years, “an enormous figure for so small a country” (Gyasi 81). What’s more is that much of the trafficking was performed at the hands of Ghanaians themselves. It is commonly known that Ghanaian leaders would sell other Ghanaians to the Europeans in exchange for money or goods.  This was an immediate source of wealth for the Ghanaian leaders, but in the long run, it lead to financial difficulty, as today, Ghana is still a third world country. In short, the Ghanaians were sold for a “quick buck,” when their life could have been spent working for the good of the country.

European presence began in the late 15^th century with the Portuguese, and the British officially colonized Ghana in the 1870s, naming it the “Gold Coast Colony of Britain.” As with all colonies, Ghana became financially and politically dependent on Britain. The European power over the institution of slavery served as a stepping stone to total political power over Ghana.

In March of 1957, Ghana gained its independence from Britain.  This set a trend among other African nations who also demanded freedom from European leaders (Finley, 17). This left many nations war-torn and in turmoil, as there was minimal political leadership and limited financial resources. The lack of an official ruler left such nations ultimately without structure, which is the backbone of society.

The Diaspora, or a group of individuals with ethnic likenesses who are scattered throughout the world, was a result of Ghanaians and Africans alike being sold to European and, later, American nations. W.E.B. Du Bois, a famous African American intellectual took particular interested in the history of slavery. According to the documentary, he even wrote his doctoral dissertation on the suppression of slavery in America. His dedication to Africans resulted in the renouncement of his American citizen to become a citizen of Ghana, were he would die in 1963 (Jenkins, 11).

The institution of slavery served Europe very well, indeed. In retrospect, they were able to collect human merchandise with relative ease and sell them as a highly demanded product. As mentioned before, the Europeans purchased what could have been seen as a “machine” that could work for fifty or so years in dismal conditions for the price of a few mere fire arms and/or minimal recompense.  The European or American customer would then get a lifelong laborer for an affordable price, and in many cases, would also be the rightful owner of any offspring the slave may have. The business of slave trade was highly lucrative to Europeans and it even maintained the stability of European society, as slaves were always citizens of the lowest class.

On the other hand, Africa did not fare so well. The slave trade probably seemed perfectly functional to them at the time. All they had to do was round up a few people and sell them for firearms and other weapons that they never had before, and even instant riches. What they lost was a lifelong contributor to society, which is always worth much more than quick riches. The loss of so many people provided an enduring tenure of financial hardship.

In conclusion, the documentary shared disturbing images of the trading “castles” that were used as holding cells for millions of slaves who would then be packed up sardine-style for an immensely long boat trip that did not include the seemingly basic comfort of a bath or even a place to relieve themselves of bodily waste.  The institution of slavery was much more functional to Europe in terms of both manifest and latent functions; the former being of the obvious profit and utility the slaves brought the Europeans, the latter being its path to political control over the African nations.  The castles today are reminders of the grim history of the slave trade and at the same time a symbol of the progress made by Ghanaians as a whole.  In this way, tourists are able to visit both the past, present and future of Ghana by simply visiting these former prison-castle (Finley 15)

Works Cited

Finley, Cheryl. “Of Golden Anniversaries and Bicentennials: the Convergence of Memory, Tourism, and National History in Ghana.: Journeys. 7.2(2006):15+. Academic OneFile. Web. 5 May 2010.

The Forts and Castles of Ghana. Perf. Danny Glover.  Image Entertainment, 2003. DVD.

Gyasi, Stephen, Jr. “A Tourist’s Haven: Ghana is Famous for its Hospitality and Friendliness,  and Coupled with its Historical and Natural Attractions, the Country is Fast Becoming  a Prime  Tourist Destination. Stephen Gyasi Jnr. Reports”   New African. March 2010: 81+. Academic OneFile. Web. 5 May 2010.

Jenkins, Karen. “Becoming a Citizen of the World.” Black Issues in Higher Education 21.19 (2004): 114. Academic OneFile. Web. 5 May 2010.