9 Fun Facts About Ghana

We gathered 9 fun facts about Ghana, highlighting its impressive achievements, vibrant rhythms and diverse wildlife.

Located on the Gulf of Guinea and bordered by Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Ghana’s location in Western Africa offers is a great jumping off point.

My interest in Ghana started in 7th grade during a geography class project on cacao production (see fun facts about Ghana #6). For my class project for Mrs. Fuchs, I designed an interactive factory, that illustrated the entire chocolate-making process, from harvesting cocoa beans to molding the final product. I not only received an A on the presentation, but also sparked an interest in visiting Ghana. I’ve still never been which I regret a bit, though I hope to right that at some point.

Ghana attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2023, according to the Ghana Tourism Authority. Those visitors walked the streets of Accra, Ghana’s capital city, spotted elephants in Mole National Park and Ghana’s five other national parks and joined efforts to protect Ghana’s wildlife. Before you visit this African country in person, check out these fun facts about Ghana.

1. The Gold Coast was a pioneer in Africa’s journey to independence

Golden beaches along Ghana’s coast.

The Gold Coast was a pioneer in Africa’s journey to independence, becoming Ghana on March 6, 1957 (see fun facts about Ghana #2). Under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah, this gold-rich land ended British colonial rule and sparked a wave of independence movements across other African countries.

Extra fact: The Ghanaian flag illustrates this achievement: red represents the bloodshed in the fight for independence, gold symbolizes the nation’s mineral wealth, and green reflects Ghana’s landscapes. The black star stands for African freedom. Just two days after gaining independence, Ghana joined the United Nations.

2. “Ghana” means “warrior king” in the Soninke Language

The name “Ghana” means “warrior king” in the Soninke language and was originally a title for the rulers of the ancient Ghana Empire. When Ghana gained independence in 1957, the name was chosen to honor this historic empire, renowned for its military strength and extensive trade connections with North Africa and the Mediterranean.

What a way to honor past achievements and cultural heritage.

3. Ghana is home to more than 70 ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language

A colorful street market in Ghana.

English is the official language of Ghana. However, there are more than 70 different ethnic groups speaking more than 80 languages and dialects. Among these, Akan is the most widely spoken indigenous language.

4. Dancing and drumming are central to daily life

In Ghana, dancing and drumming are central to daily life and their passion has spread globally. On TikTok alone, there more than 160 million posts about Ghanian dance.

Celebrate, dance and embrace the joy of togetherness in Ghana.

Key Elements of Ghanaian Culture include:

• Azonto Dance: Azonto is a dance and music genre that originated from the traditional Ga dance. This dance features coordinated hand and foot movements that mimic everyday activities or entertain the audience.
  

  Drums are the rhythm of Ghana.

• Drum Rhythms: Drumming is more than entertainment. It serves as a medium for conveying messages about unity, bravery and respect for ancestors. Drum rhythms are central to many ceremonies and social events.
• Kente Cloth: Kente is a traditional Ghanaian textile made from hand-woven silk and cotton strips associated with the Akan ethnic group. The patterns and colors of Kente hold symbolic meanings, representing social status, historical events and philosophical ideas.

Extra fact: Ghanaian art is renowned for its bold, vibrant colors and depictions of everyday life, nature and spirituality. Ace Liam holds the Guinness World Record for the youngest artist to exhibit a solo art show. His achievement was recognized after his exhibition in Accra from January 18 to 20, 2024.

5. Ghana is rich in rainforests, grasslands and coastal wetlands

Some of Ghana’s natural highlights include:

1. Lake Bosumtwe: Ghana’s only one natural lake, formed in a meteorite crater.
2. Lake Volta: Among the world’s largest artificial lakes, spanning 3,280 square miles (8,502 square kilometers) and vital for hydroelectric power.
3. Wli Waterfall: The tallest waterfall in West Africa, standing over 262 feet (80 meters) high, located in the wildlife-rich Agumatsa Sanctuary.

Ghana has some amazing national parks. Kakum National Park, a tropical rainforest reserve is one of Ghana’s top attractions and lets visitors walk across canopy bridges 130 feet (40 meters) above the ground for great views and wildlife spotting. In the northwest Savannah, Mole National Park is famous for its elephants, antelopes and over 250 bird species.

In Kakum National Park, students enjoy the views of the tropical rainforest as they walk across canopy bridges.

6. Ghana grows cacao, but doesn’t actually make a lot of cocoa

It’s hard to find cocoa in the country, that holds a position of the world’s second largest cocoa producer, just behind Côte d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast).

Most of the country’s high-quality cocoa beans are exported, leaving minimal amounts for domestic use. Ghana’s annual chocolate consumption is only 0.5 kg per person, compared to 8.1 kg in Austria and 4.4 kg in the United States.

Top chocolate consuming countries compared to Ghana:

7. Ghana’s fantasy coffins celebrate the deceased’s passions

In Ghana, funerals are both a time to mourn and celebrate life. Custom-made “fantasy coffins” are personal tributes that honor and celebrate the deceased’s passions, achievements and professions.

Among the Ga people in southern Ghana, it’s believed that life continues in the next world just as it did on earth. For instance, a musician can be laid to rest in a guitar-shaped coffin, while a clan leader could be honored with a lion-shaped one. This is also a way to represent their social status.

These artistic coffins first captured global attention in 1989 at the Les Magiciens de la Terre exhibition in Paris. Since then, they have become an highlight of many museums and galleries around the world.

8. GhanaSat-1 represents Ghana’s debut in space technology

GhanaSat-1 is Ghana’s first nanosatellite, which was launched in 2017 by students from All Nations University in Koforidua, Ghana. The satellite was launched from the International Space Station (ISS) to monitor Ghana’s coastline and gather data for space research. Another feature is its ability to receive and play songs from Earth, such as Ghana’s national anthem, while orbiting in space. Pretty cool.

9. There is a “war” on the African continent over Jollof rice

The “war” is a debate over which country — Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon — makes the best version of jollof rice, a West African dish. Jollof rice is a flavorful mix of rice, tomatoes, onions and spices.

While UNESCO recognizes Senegal as the original creator of jollof rice, remember to give the local favorite answer when you’re in Ghana.