Final answer:
The earliest recorded West African State is the Ghana Empire, populated by the Soninke people and known for its powerful rulers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first West African State of which there is any record is the Ghana Empire. This kingdom, inhabited by the Soninke people, came to preeminence before the Age of Discovery. The rulers of Ghana, known as 'Ghana,' held all power - religious, judicial, military, and political. Despite the challenging landscape that was largely unfit for agriculture, the Kingdom was able to flourish in the southern region due to the ample rainfall that allowed the cultivation of crops. The Ghana Empire laid the foundation for the rise of subsequent influential West African Kingdoms like Mali and Songhay.
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