Evaluate the importance of the trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt to the rise of the Ghana Empire.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations of the importance of trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt to the rise of the Ghana Empire. Candidates may refer to factors including the location of the empire at the nexus of trading routes, which allowed it to levy taxes on trade in gold and salt. The king exercised a personal monopoly on gold nuggets that allowed him to accrue enormous wealth. A market economy was developed, based on trade in commodities and manufactured goods. Revenues from trade allowed the empire to expand to the south so that many gold mines came under its control. Candidates may consider other factors, including trade in other goods such as peacock feathers, the role of individual leaders, the effectiveness of a strong centralized administration, and the subjugation of neighbouring states that were forced to pay tribute to the empire.