Paper short abstract:

The introduction of legitimate trade after the abolition of slavery in Ghana led to profound and far reaching consequences in the urban demography and labour history of Ghana.

Paper long abstract:

Legitimate trade triggered economic and urban growth in Ghana but internal disputes between ethnic groups on the coast of Ghana and between Ashanti and British colonisers affected trade on the coast and in the interior. As a result, specially trained Yoruba and Hausa men were brought from Nigeria to Accra and Kumasi by the British to deal with internal disputes among ethnic groups and to handle the rebellion from Ashanti.

By 1900 hostilities among ethnic groups had ceased and Ashanti, the dominant force against British incursions in the interior was finally defeated, paving the way for free flow of goods from the north of Ghana to the south and vice versa.

The cessation of hostilities after 1901 also led to the demobilization of the forces from Nigeria. Instead of returning to Nigeria, the Yoruba and Hausa fighters took up residence in Accra. Their reason was simple- Accra had grown to become an important urban and commercial centre and they therefore took advantage of the trade opportunities that the city offered.

Using oral and archival sources this paper discusses the Yoruba and Hausa Special Forces in Accra. In particular the paper traces the transformation of this important labour group- from mercenaries to traders. The paper adopts a biographical approached to discuss individual life histories of some of the soldiers and their specific contribution to Accra's urban and economic growth.