Answer:
The Ghana Empire was a medieval West African state that existed from the 6th to the 13th century CE. It was located in the region of present-day southeastern Mauritania and western Mali.
The origins of the empire are uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged from a kingdom called Ghana or Wagadou, which was located near the headwaters of the Senegal and Niger rivers. The empire grew in power and wealth due to its control over the trans-Saharan trade routes that linked West Africa with the Mediterranean world and the Middle East.
The Ghana Empire was ruled by a king, or Ghana, who was believed to possess supernatural powers. The king was assisted by a council of elders and a powerful military. The empire was divided into provinces, each of which was governed by a governor or district chief.
The economy of the Ghana Empire was based on agriculture, trade, and the exploitation of mineral resources such as gold and salt. The empire controlled the goldfields of Bambuk, which were the largest in West Africa, and it traded gold for salt with the Berbers of the Sahara.
The Ghana Empire reached the height of its power in the 10th century CE under the rule of the king Tunka Manin. However, it began to decline in the 11th century CE due to the rise of competing states, such as the Kingdom of Mali, and the loss of control over the trans-Saharan trade routes.
In the 13th century CE, the Ghana Empire was conquered by the Kingdom of Mali, which had emerged as a dominant power in West Africa. Nevertheless, the legacy of the Ghana Empire lived on in the region, and its name was used by European explorers to describe the entire region of West Africa.
Today, the Ghana Empire is remembered as a powerful and wealthy state that played a crucial role in the history of West Africa. Its legacy can be seen in the art, culture, and traditions of the people who live in the region today.