Compare and contrast Ghana and Mali. In what ways were the two kingdoms similar? How were they different?

Similarities:

Both Ghana and Mali grew immensely wealthy from cross-Saharan trade, particularly the trade of gold and salt. While they did not engage in much trade themselves, they charged taxes and tribute from merchants who wished to cross their land.
Both kingdoms raised large armies that conquered neighboring areas in order to increase their territory. Conquered peoples had to in turn pay tribute to the king which enriched the royal coffers even more.
Both kingdoms had large populations based in urban areas. These cities put a large strain on the local resources which led to frequent droughts and famines when not well managed.

Differences:

While both Ghana and Mali tolerated and accepted Muslim traders from North Africa, the kings of Ghana did not convert while the rulers of Mali eventually became Muslims themselves and made it the official state religion.
Ghana had usually been ruled with a centralized form of government based out of the capital of Koumbi Saleh. Mali was more of a federation in which each tribe governed local affairs and sent a representative to the royal court.
Mali had more wealth than the Kingdom of Ghana. Ghana merely existed between sources of salt and gold. Mali, with its larger territory, had its own gold mines within its kingdom, as well as a coastline. This allowed it to grow immensely wealthy.

Ghana and Mali were two important West African kingdoms. Although they were close geographically, the two states were more different than similar.
One difference was geography. Ancient Ghana was located northwest of present-day Ghana. Mali, on the other hand, is still situated in the same area as its ancient ancestors.
The two states were not contemporaneous. Ghana thrived from the seventh to the thirteenth centuries—until its capital was destroyed by invaders from Mali in 1240. Mali reached its peak from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries.
Islam affected the two states in very different ways. Muslim raiders from the Sahara destabilized Ghana. Mali, on the other hand, became a center of Islamic culture and learning. Mali built impressive mosques, and its wonderful religious heritage is still visible in Timbuktu and Djenne.
The economies of the two kingdoms relied heavily on trade—especially gold. The salt trade was significant, too.

Ancient Ghana was a rich empire in West Africa from the seventh to the thirteenth century. It is usually referred to as the first empire in Africa. The empire traded gold and was comprised of both Muslim traders and Berber people. The modern country of Ghana is not the same place as the ancient empire of Ghana.
Then came Mali, built on the former empire of Ghana, from 1230 to the 1600s. Mali was larger than Ghana had been. Two famous names are important to know in order to learn more regarding Mali, those of Mansa Musa and Ibn Mattuta. Mansa Musa was the leader who helped to turn Mali into a rich kingdom by trading gold, salt, and copper, and he helped to make it a Muslim nation. He made a haj, or a pilgrimage to Mecca, in 1324 and brought with him gold and many of his subjects. Ibn Mattuta was an Arab traveler who chronicled much of what we now know about the ancient world and Mansa Musa. The famous ancient city of Timbuktu was in Mali and is still in existence today, in the modern country of Mali.