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Student Programs in Ghana

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Exploring Ghana

Country Basics

Ghana is located in western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo and south of Burkina Faso. The terrain consists of low plains, a sandy coastline, and a rainforest jungle extending north from the coast next to Cote d’Ivoire.

Ghana’s largest and capital city is Accra which lies on the Gulf of Guinea.

Brief History

By the 16th century, the Ashanti emerged as the dominant kingdom amongst those vying for power in West Africa. The Ashanti grew rich from the massive gold deposits in what is now present-day Ghana and gradually conquered neighboring tribes, taking control of major trade routes to the coast as it expanded. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in the Ashanti domain, attracted by the enormous mineral wealth. The French, English, Dutch, and Swedes soon followed, building forts and castles along the coast to compete for gold.

By the mid-17th century, however, the high demand for labor for the plantations of the New World caused a shift of emphasis from the gold trade to the slave trade. Ghana became the center of the British slave trade for almost 150 years, during which approximately 10 million enslaved people were transported in the transatlantic slave trade at rates of up to 100,000 persons per year.

The Gold Coast became a formal British colony in 1902. By 1947 Ghanaians began to organize for self-government and increased civil unrest led to negotiations with the British. On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence from European colonialism.

Language

Ghana has more than 79 different dialects and languages. English is the official language, but Twi is also widely spoken.

Ewe is the language spoken mostly in the Volta Region. Try your best to learn a few phrases!

Twi Greetings

  • How are you? Ete sen?; Fine: Eh ye
  • Good morning: Maa-che; Good night: Maadwo
  • Welcome: Akwaaba
  • Where are you from? Wofiri hefa?; I am from the USA: Mefiri USA.
  • What is your name? Wo din de sen?; My name is ___. Me din de ___.
  • Friend: Adamfo
  • Foreigner: Obruni

Ewe Greetings

  • How are you? Afwa?; Fine: E ndo
  • No: Eh; Yes: A
  • Please: Mede ku ku; Thank you: Akpe ne wo
  • Good evening: Fienawo
  • Goodbye: Mia ga do go
  • Morning: Ndi
  • Welcome: Akwaaba
  • Where are you from? Fika netso?
  • What is your name? Onko wo de?

Cultural Expectations

While in Ghana, you can expect…

to begin and end every conversation with a handshake, but not your ordinary, everyday grasp. Make sure to seal your shake in style – with a mutual snap!

While in Ghana, locals will expect you…

to use only your right hand when greeting someone with a handshake, when eating, and when receiving a gift or money. Using your left hand is considered taboo and offensive. Also, it’s taboo to whistle at night.

Cultural Icon:

Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. As secretary general, he was a constant advocate for human rights and the Millennium Development Goals. Annan and the United Nations were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for his founding of the Global AIDS and Health Fund to support developing countries in their struggle to care for their people.

Currency

Ghana has a colorful currency called Ghanaian cedi.

The nation’s first currency after gaining independence was the Ghanaian pound. In 1965 this was replaced by the first cedi. Then in 1967, the government adopted the new cedi. In the beginning the new credi was worth one half of a British pound, but over time it became devalued to about a hundredth of an American cent.

In 2007, the government introduced the “third cedi”, worth about the same as an American dollar. It has lost value in the years since with the exchange rates fluctuating.

Weather

While Ghana has a year round tropical climate, it does have rainy seasons. Outside of short rainy seasons where the sun still shines for up to five hours a day, the country is warm and dry along the southeast coast. In the southwest it is hot and humid, and hot and dry in the north.

Food

Food in Ghana is often hot and spicy, with ingredients like yams, cassava, maize, beans, plantains, and rice. Tropical fruits and vegetables are also a part the diet. Sauces are an essential element of Ghanaian cuisine, and are usually eaten with rice.

  • Waakye (rice and beans)
  • Fufu (pounded cassava and plantain or pounded yam and plantain)
  • Banku/akple (cooked fermented corn dough and cassava dough)
  • Kenkey/dokonu (fermented corn and cassava dough, wrapped in corn or banana leaves and cooked into a consistent solid paste)
  • Kokonte (from dried cassava chips)
  • Gari (made from cassava)
  • Kontomire (mashed up taro)
  • Jollof rice (rice with spicy pepper sauce)
  • Omo tuo (rice balls)
  • A variety of hot soups including groundnut (peanut), okra, and palm nut

Religion

The breakdown in the country is:

71.3 percent Christian, 19.9 percent Muslim, 3.2 percent traditionalist, 4.5 percent in other faiths and 1.1 percent nonreligious.

Ethnic Groups

Ghana has a population of 30 million people, and the country has over seventy ethnic groups. Major ethnic groups in Ghana include the Akan, Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, the Ga-Dangme, the Gurma and the Guan.

The largest tribe are the Ashanti, with their traditional capital at Kumasi. The largest tribe in the Volta region are the Ewe.

Did You Know?

  • The word Ghana means “Warrior King,” the title given to the kings of the ancient west African Ghana empire.
  • Ghana’s Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world.
  • Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to gain its independence, which it did on March 6, 1957.
  • Ghana’s flag was designed post independence consisting of red, gold, green and a black star. The red signifies the bloodshed during the freedom struggle, the gold represents the country’s mineral wealth, the green symbolizes its rich agriculture, and the black star is the symbol of African emancipation.
  • For 24 years, Ghana has only elected or instated presidents with the name John. Jerry John Rawlings held office from 1992 to 2000, John Agyekumm Kufour led from 2000 to 2008, John Evans Atta Mills led from 2008 to 2012, and John Dramani Mahama held the Presidential office until 2016. Nana Akufo-Addo has served as the president of Ghana since 2017.
  • Ghana is often regarded as the leading country in political and economic reform in Africa. It is one of the most stable nations in the region and has experienced a fairly stable democracy since the institution of a multi-party system in 1992.
  • Famous African-American thinker, activist, and author W.E.B. Dubois became a citizen of Ghana in his last years and died in Accra where a memorial commemorates his life and work.
  • Ghana is home to Rita Marley, Bob Marley’s wife, where she helps support local schools and conducts philanthropic work on behalf of several foundations in her late husband’s name.
  • Music and dance have evolved with the times in Ghana. “Highlife” music is a blend of traditional sounds and imported beats resulting in genres such as Afro-jazz and Afro-reggae. Azonto dance emerged in 2011 as the popular “dance of the youth,” combining creativity and humor to produce impressive rhythm and expression.
  • Ghana has one of the best national African football (soccer) teams holding a lot of promise to the future of African football. The Ghanaian team, known as the Black Stars, has qualified for four FIFA World Cup tournaments since 2006.

    Rustic Pathways in Ghana

    How Students Gain a New Perspective While Traveling in Ghana

    In Ghana, Rustic students have transformative experiences where they immerse themselves in the lives of others on a cross-country adventure.

    Planting the Seed for Global Consciousness

    Perrin’s first experience with Rustic Pathways was on a trip to Ghana when she was 15 years old. It’s also when she first began to consider her role as a global citizen.

    Visiting Ghana: A Beginner’s Travel Guide

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    13 Best Books About Ghana

    Explore rich history and culture through stories set in Ghana. Delve into the challenges of independence, the pursuit of personal liberation, and the journey towards democracy.

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    During a photo shoot in Ghana, an American model finds herself transported to the past, experiencing the harsh reality of slavery on a plantation and confronting the painful history of her ancestors.

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    Listen

    Monthly Top 10 New Ghanaian Music Videos

    A handpicked playlist showcasing the latest and greatest Ghanaian music videos from Ghana’s vibrant music scene.

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    Make a Authentic Ghanaian Waakye Feast

    In your own kitchen, follow along with Nanaaba to make a Waakye Stew.