Podcast Summary
Podcast: New Books Network
Episode: Sandra E. Greene, “Slave Owners of West Africa: Decision Making in the Age of Abolition”
Host: Esperanza Brisuela Garcia
Guest: Dr. Sandra E. Greene (Professor of African History, Cornell University)
Date: February 28, 2026
Overview
In this episode, Esperanza Brisuela Garcia interviews Dr. Sandra E. Greene about her 2017 book, Slave Owners of West Africa: Decision Making in the Age of Abolition. The conversation explores the little-examined history of West African slave owners during the transition to abolition in the late 19th century, focusing on three detailed biographies. Dr. Greene discusses her research process, why the subject remains highly sensitive, and how these life stories complicate simplistic narratives of slavery and abolition.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Dr. Greene’s Background and the Origin of the Book [01:57-07:55]
- Dr. Greene was raised in Xenia, Ohio, an area with two HBCUs, which influenced her early interest in Africa.
- Her mother’s connection to African students and international affairs exposed her to broader worldviews.
- Greene’s academic trajectory—from philosophy at Kalamazoo to immersive study in Ghana, and eventually pursuing African history at Northwestern—was shaped by the civil rights era and burgeoning interest in African studies.
- Dr. Greene’s research has long included oral histories in Ghana, evolving from social history to the history of slavery, involving years of relationship-building with local families and descendants.
"So that's how I got involved... Even though things were beginning to... African countries beginning to have difficulties during this period, but still there was a lot of excitement in the US about Africa."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [04:33]
Research Process and Biographical Focus [05:57-10:00]
- Greene's research began with social history, but she accumulated substantial oral and documentary material on slavery over decades.
- Selection of the three main biographies was determined by the availability of rich, corroborated material and, crucially, the consent of descendants for publication.
- She regrets not being able to include more diverse cases, such as that of a female slave owner, due to insufficient data.
"I had been in communication with... descendants... There'd been quite a bit of exchange. I have some materials on other individuals... but the reason I selected these three individuals is because they are the ones I have the most material on."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [09:08]
Why Focus on Slave Owners? [10:00-12:16]
- Her earlier work centered on the narratives of the enslaved, but she shifted to slave owners to provide a holistic view of the institution.
- The topic is considered highly sensitive—descendants are often reluctant to discuss enslaver ancestry due to ongoing social stigma.
"It continues to be a very sensitive topic to this day... Descendants of slave owners don't want to, in a sense, be outed... because it's so negative."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [12:16]
Detailed Biographies: The Three Slave Owners
1. Amegashi Afeku of Keita: The Defiant Traditionalist [14:45-19:28]
- A prominent businessman, influential religious figure, and advisor to the chief.
- Vehemently opposed abolition, evading British authority to retain slaves. Actively tried to block formerly enslaved people from returning home.
- Prosecuted for slave dealing but defiantly dismissed British law.
- Greene suggests that his own origin as a descendant of slaves shaped his defense of the system—having worked hard to overcome social stigma, he resisted its dismantling.
- The legacy of social distinction based on slave ancestry persisted into his descendants.
"He was opposed to the abolition of slavery, and he was opposed to the idea of any slave trying to return home... I suggest that in fact, one of the reasons he may have been so adamantly opposed... because he had spent his entire life working the system to his own benefit."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [14:45]
"His descendants... one of his descendants... was still making distinctions between himself and the people who technically his ancestor had inflates, even though they were all considered to be one large extended family now."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [19:28]
2. Nyahu Tamakloi of Anlo: The Pragmatic Modernizer [19:56-25:44]
- Military leader and highly respected, from a free and distinguished family.
- Did not oppose abolition but did not free his slaves immediately; instead, he leveraged British colonial systems for economic and political gain.
- Gave former slaves incentives (education, land, opportunity), encouraging loyalty and integration into his extended family.
- Notably sent descendants of slaves abroad for legal training, and made efforts to reduce social distinctions.
- His strategies led to minimized stigma for descendants of slaves in his circles.
"He decided that he was going to use the new British colonial system to his advantage... He gave them every reason to want to continue to be associated with him."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [20:14]
"He was an example that slave status should not be a stigma. It really has to do with individuals' ability to contribute to the larger society."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [25:05]
3. Noah Yawo of Ho Kapnoe: The Religious and Financial Strategist [25:55-29:06]
- Affluent in his local context, involved in moneylending, small-scale trade.
- Traumatized by war, illness, famine, and the failures of traditional religion, he ultimately converted to Christianity.
- Missionaries urged him to free his slaves; he did, but only after a period of economic restructuring (recovering debts, seeking missionary support).
- Some of his slaves were debtors or indentured, and he waited to ensure his own stability before acting.
- Presents a case where abolition was adopted as a religious and practical compromise.
"What is particularly interesting about him is that his religious beliefs were significantly challenged... he decided to convert to Christianity. And the missionaries... were urging him to free his slaves. He did eventually. But... it took him several years to do so because he needed to get his financial house in order."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [25:55]
Themes: Agency, Biography, and Complexity [29:06-33:19]
- The book aims to complicate notions of historical agency; decisions were shaped by personal, social, legal, and economic pressures.
- Biographies reveal not only the actions but also the emotions and humanity of the individuals—these were not simply “good” or “bad” actors.
- Showcases the diversity in how different communities and leaders responded to abolition.
"...I really wanted to go beneath the surface... so that you're not thinking about good or bad... No, it was complicated, you know, because life is complicated and individuals are complicated. And hopefully it will allow readers to see Africans as complicated human beings as everybody else..."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [31:06]
The Afterlife of the Book and Greene’s Current Work [34:00-37:01]
- After four books and several edited volumes on the Ewe and Anglophone Ghana, Greene is organizing her research and making materials (oral histories, missionary journals) accessible for future scholars.
- She is unsure how the book has been received in Ghana—recognizing the deep sensitivity of the subject.
- Publication depended on family consent; some families refused, necessitating pseudonyms.
"...a lot of people probably are concerned that it's even been published or that it's even available because it has the potential to open up uncomfortable conversations..."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [37:01]
"The one family, Amegashi Afaku's family, I was very gratified that they were willing to allow me to publish the biography of their ancestor. I sent them the final draft... and I said I know this is sensitive... So I leave it up to you as to whether I should publish this or not. I gave them the power to say, no, this is not something you want published. Fortunately for me, they agreed."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [37:01]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the difficulty of the research:
"I was really sorry that I didn't have enough material on a woman slave owner, for example, but I simply did not have enough."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [09:08] -
On expanding the conversation about slavery’s legacy:
"It's fine in most West African communities to talk about the slave trade... But when you start getting about... those people who weren't put on the boats? Where are they? Where are their descendants now? How are they treated? It opens up an area that is very sensitive."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [37:01] -
On the importance of emotion and nuance in African history:
"...I really wanted to go beneath the surface and really hopefully connect the reader to these individuals so that you're not thinking about good or bad... No, it was complicated..."
— Dr. Sandra Greene [31:06]
Use in Teaching and Final Reflections [33:19-40:01]
- The host and Greene agree that the biographical approach is valuable for students to grasp complexity without exoticism.
- Greene is currently focused on cataloging and making research materials publicly accessible.
- The book’s impact in Ghana remains uncertain due to the sensitivity and potential for mixed reactions.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:57] - Dr. Greene's academic background and initial interest in Africa
- [05:57] - Genesis of Slave Owners of West Africa
- [10:41] - Rationale for focusing on slave owners
- [12:16] - Sensitivity in discussing ancestry and slavery
- [14:45] - Profile: Amegashi Afeku
- [19:56] - Profile: Nyahu Tamakloi
- [25:55] - Profile: Noah Yawo
- [31:06] - The use of biography, emotion, and agency
- [34:00] - Greene's ongoing and future scholarly work
- [37:01] - Community and family reception in Ghana
This episode offers deep insights into the complexities of West African slavery’s legacy through meticulous research and thoughtful biographical storytelling, challenging any simplistic understanding of this historical period.