Ghanaian artisans hand carve stools like this one from the wood of cedrela trees, a fast-growing species from Central and South America that has now become naturalised in many African countries. The wood is lightweight and fragrant, and is, here, stained. 

This little stool is styled after the renowned Golden Stool of the Ashanti, with carved geometric patterns. The Golden Stool (Sika 'dwa) of the Ashanti contains the soul, or sunsum, of the nation, and is considered to be sacred. It features on the flag of the Ashanti people.

We have not been able to determine the meanings of the symbols.  

(A related and useful resource in the ‘Symbols of Citizenship’ series is Adrinka: A primary cross-curricular project using a textile tradition from Ghana to explore children’s values and identity. Reading International Solidarity Centre, 2007)