Professor of History Ben Wendorf recently shared long‑term research at QCC's Lunch and Learn series. Drawing on 19th‑century newspapers from what is now Ghana, Wendorf's research explores how local journalists documented infrastructure, commerce, and public life during a period of dramatic political change and colonization.
Wendorf originally presented his findings at the African Studies Association Annual Meeting, the world’s largest international conference dedicated to the study of Africa. The presentation, delivered in November 2025, was supported through professional development funding and marked a major milestone in a project more than 15 years in the making.
Although the documents he wanted to analyze had been digitized, Wendorf noted that access remained restricted behind paywalls for years, highlighting the ongoing challenges researchers face in the digital age, where access to information is often promised but not guaranteed.
When he finally gained access to the newspapers, they revealed a vibrant culture of journalism and public debate, with recurring themes centered on trade and transportation. Writers frequently discussed the “great roads" system, a vast network of highways consolidated under the Asante Empire starting in the 18th century, complete with marketplaces and resting stations. Newspapers regularly reported on road conditions and served as a forum for public complaints.
As colonial influence expanded, journalists documented the shift from inland trade routes to British‑built railways designed to serve coastal interests such as gold mining and cocoa production. These routes shaped the modern highways that exist in the area today. Figures like lawyer and newspaper founder James Hutton Brew used the press to critique these changes, carefully navigating colonial law to protect free expression.
This strong tradition of critical journalism helped sustain public discourse and laid important groundwork for the country's later independence movement, underscoring the enduring power of the press in shaping civic life.
Be sure to check out the next Lunch and Learn on April 6 to hear about Sandra Hinds' humanitarian work.