The Portuguese arrived in Ghana in the late 1400s for the benefit of Africa. The Portuguese fortunately discovered large quantities of gold in Ghana, this discovery led many other countries to Ghana such as the Dutch and the British. Before the 1950s, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast (ghanaweb.com). The first instinct of the Portuguese when they arrived in Ghana was to collect gold. This natural resource was found between the Ankobra and Votra rivers. In addition, the colonizing countries were interested in the slaves of Ghana; during the 1500s, this interest exceeded Ghana's demand for gold. The Gold Coast's rich salt reserves attracted many Europeans because they lacked this imperative resource. The Portuguese colonized Ghana because Ghana provided an abundance of a valuable element. The original name of ancient Ghana (The Gold Coast) intentionally inferred Ghana's prosperity from a precious element. The Soninké people controlled the resources of their country by exchanging them for goods. But when Portuguese traders arrived in Ghana, they "discovered a lot of gold and built a fort at Elmina in 1482. Trade between Portugal and the tribes of Ghana flourished, with gold being dominant. The Portuguese then built more forts/” (Levy 23). . The success of the Portuguese prompted the English, Germans and Danes to also build forts in Ghana. The abundance of gold in Ghana plays an important role in its colonization as countries like Portugal lacked this element. Portugal decided to build forts in Ghana because the people of Ghana were affable and docile citizens, who did not hesitate to trade their gold. A jackpot was created when the Portuguese landed in Ghana's territory, as Ghana's supply of gold increased its wealth as well as its popularity. Portugal will always be known as the middle of paper. The supply of slave workers attracted the Portuguese because the Portuguese saved money by forcing people to work without having to pay. Ghana's supply of salt led Portugal to colonize Ghana because during the 1600s the world was lacking this important substance. One should not settle in countries with the sole expectation of personal gain, as many innocent people are harmed as a result. Regardless of Portugal's friendly ways with Ghana, Portugal led many other countries like Britain to Ghana. Supplies don't last forever, but malicious acts do. Works CitedBeck, Roger B. Black, Linda. Krieger, Larry S. Naylor, Philip C. Shabaka, Dahia Ibo. Interaction Patterns of World History. United States of America: McDougal Littel, 2005. Print. Levy, Patricia. World Cultures Ghana. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1999. Print.