WEST AFRICAN TRADE

Fifth era: Independence: Following World War II, nationalist movements grew across West Africa. The first sub-Saharan colony to achieve independence was Ghana, which became independent in 1957. By 1974, all the nations in Western Africa had become independent nations. (Although Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is still a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, and the cities Melilla and Ceuta are disputed cities.)Since the end of colonialism, the economy of many West African countries and regions have suffered due to political instability, war, and violent conflicts. Examples of devastating civil wars that have plagued the region are the Nigerian Civil War, the first and second Liberian Civil Wars, the Ivorian Civil War, the Guinea-Bissau Civil War, and the Sierra Leone Civil War. Both Ghana and Burkina Faso has gone through military coups... The United Nations defines Western Africa as the following 16 countries and one territory.