Mansa Musa, the Hero: Stephen Atalebe Has Gone Back into History and Picked King (or Mansa) Musa of Mali as His Hero. He Was a Great Ruler Who Succeeded in Establishing Peace and Order in Mali, Promoted Trade and Education, and above All Made the Name of Mali Known throughout the World

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MANSA KANKAN MUSA WAS the 10th king (or mansa) of Mali. He ruled Ancient Mali or Melle Empire from 1307 (the same year King Edward II assumed power as the 11th king of Britain) to 1337. This period saw the climax of the Mali Empire whose foundations had been laid by Mansa Musa's grandfather, Sundiata, after he invaded and conquered the old Ghana Empire in 1240 AD.

Mansa Musa extended the frontiers of Mali and had a more effective system of governance and business. He conquered and opened up cities like Gao and Timbuktu and embarked on a large building programme.

He built elegant palaces in Timbuktu and Gao and mosques across western Sudan. While the first university …