King Tenkamenin of Wagadugu (Ghana) ruled around 1037 – 1075 and even though it is not known of the parentage of Tenkamenin, it is said safe to assume that his lineage is that of royalty. He was named after the Kemetian King Tutankhamun and this showed the continuity of identifying West Afrikan kingdoms with that of Ancient Kemet. Tenkamenin came to rule the Kingdom of Wagadugu (the original name of Ghana) when West Afrikans still identified themselves as part of the continuing dynasty of Ancient Kemet.

Under his rule the Kingdom of Wagadugu became the most powerful nation on earth not only in terms of military might, but most importantly in terms of education and knowledge about the outside world. Tenkamenin was a learned and scholarly King who knew the importance of trade and commerce. He encouraged many of his people particularly scholars and students to learn economics and many “Europeans” (Greeks) came to Ghana to learn the economic system which made Ghana the foremost Kingdom of the era.

It is said that under his reign, Ghana reached the height of its civilisation. So influential was the Ghanain Empire that it became known as a Kingdom of affluence and knowledge. It is said that there were no “poor” people in Ghana and everyone was learned. He was the ruler of the highest principles as well as religious tolerance. He would visit his people everywhere and everyday, listening to their complaints and insisting not to leave them until their grievances were justly satisfied.

He managed and controlled the route of the gold trade across the Sahara into West Afrika, encouraging trade among Afrikans. He was a wise and much loved King who was mourned by his people for months (some say years) after his death. Ghana is stated was never again to reach the splendour it once held under the rule of Tenkamenin.