Asante Resistance (Ghana) Nowhere in West Africa was there a longer tradition of confrontation between African and European powers than in the Gold Coast (present day Ghana) between the Asante kingdom and the British. From before the end of the slave trade in 1807, the British were interested in extending their economic and political influence into the interior of the Gold Coast. These efforts were met with stiff resistance on the part of the Asante kingdom. The Asante were able to defend their interests and freedom through a series of victories in battles with the British. However, in 1874 after a half century of defeats, the British defeated the Asante at the Battle of Amoafo. This victory paved the way for British colonial rule in the Gold Coast.