To understand the downfall of Ghana (referring to the ancient Ghana Empire), two key factors can be highlighted:
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Environmental Challenges: The empire faced significant environmental changes, including droughts and desertification. These conditions made agriculture difficult and reduced the availability of resources, which was detrimental to the economy that relied heavily on trade, especially in gold and salt.
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Invasion and Competition: The Ghana Empire faced invasions from neighboring groups, particularly the Almoravids, who were excited about expanding their territory and controlling trade routes. This external pressure weakened the empire's military strength and disrupted its political control.
These two factors, among others, contributed significantly to the decline of the ancient Ghana Empire.