Final answer:
The Ghana Empire's origin is attributed to its control over the gold and salt trade routes, enabling it to thrive as an intermediary in trans-Saharan trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins of the Ghana Empire
The origins of Ghana, the earliest Sudanic West African kingdom, can be attributed to its control over gold and salt trade routes. Ghana's strategic location in the western Sahel placed it halfway between the Sahara desert, a significant source of salt, and the goldfields in the territory of Bambuk along the upper Senegal River. This advantageous position allowed the Soninke inhabitants of Ghana to become prosperous intermediaries in the lucrative trans-Saharan trade, particularly as the demand for gold in North Africa and the Mediterranean increased. The expansion of trade links facilitated by the introduction of the Arabian camel and the rise of Muslim states in North Africa greatly contributed to Ghana's growth as a powerful empire. Arab merchants traded with Ghana for gold, which was then used to mint European coins, demonstrating the extent of Ghana's influence on global commerce during its time.
In contrast to the other options presented, maritime trade and naval supremacy, geographic isolation, or an emphasis on agricultural advancements and irrigation did not play a significant role in the development of the Ghana Empire. Instead, the trans-Saharan trade of essential commodities such as gold and salt underpinned the empire's wealth and power.