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About Ghana

 

Location:


map_125    Ghana is located midway along the Gulf of Guinea ( the Atlantic Ocean) coast of West Africa, between latitudes 4 to 11.5 degrees north.  The capital city Accra is almost on the Greenwich Meridian  (longitude 0 degree)   The country occupies a total land area of 239,460 square  kilometers.
Ghana is bounded on the north, east and west by Francophone African countries of Burkina Faso, Togo and Cote D'Ivoire respectively.  In the south, the country is bounded by the Gulf of Guinea (the Atlantic Ocean).

   The land area of Ghana, stretches for 560 kilometers (348 miles) east-west and 672 kilometers  (420 miles) north-south.
 
History:

   Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast Colony, derived its present name from the ancient Sudanese Empire of "Ghana" that flourished between the 4th and 11th centuries. Ghana obtained political independence from Great Britain on March 6, 1957, after she was ruled by several European powers, starting with the Portuguese who in 1471 landed at Elmina in the Central Region, and built the Elmina castle in 1482.
 
Government:

   The "African of the Millennium", the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, formed the first ever all African Government for Ghana from 1957 until he was deposed by the military in a coup d'etat in February 1966. After his overthrow, several governments were formed in the country to succeed his Convention People's
Party (CPP) government.
   
   In June 1979, one young army officer by name Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings toppled a military junta and that event paved the way for a civilian government in September 1979 under the late Dr. Hilla Limann.

   Incidentally, Dr. Limann's government was toppled in another coup d'etat led by the same Flt. Lt. Rawlings with a new government - the Provisional National Defence Council ( PNDC).   T he PNDC later gave way to a civilian government - the National Democratic Congress also led by Flt. Lt. Rawlings.
In the year 2000, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor's party, the New Patriotic Party ( NPP ) won the presidential and parliamentary elections held in the country.  Currently therefore, Ghana is headed by President John Agyekum Kufuor whilst his party the NPP dominates the country's parliament.

The Land:

   The southern half of Ghana, particularly the coastal belt is made up of low savannah grassland and brackish water environment of lagoons, creeks and estuaries of rivers and streams.
The central portion of the country is dominated by highlands and the Volta lake with its 8,480 square kilometre area, making it one of the largest artificial lakes on earth. The north has undulating savannah grassland.

Climate:

   Ghana has a hot humid tropical climate characterized by high temperatures between 21 and 32 degrees C and 70 and 90 degrees F.  The southern half has two rainfall regimes - the major rainy season between March - July and the minor season between September - October.  There is a prolonged dry season from October to March the next year, culminating in the dry but cool harmattan conditions experienced between late November and February.

   In the north, there is only one rainfall maximum from May to July.  The heaviest rains are experienced in the western region whilst the lowest is experienced in the northern regions.  Generally, annual rainfall is about 2,030 mm. on the average.

Population:

   In 1996, population estimates put Ghana figure at 17.3 million people whilst the March  2000 census estimates put it at 18.4 million people.  The annual population growth rate is 2.6 percent per annum.
The population of Ghana is rather young with an estimated 45 to 48 percent under the age of 15 years. The country has an average population density of about 70 persons per square kilometre. The male-female ratio of the population is 1: 1.5.
 
   The population is concentrated in the south of the country with the highest densities occurring in the urban areas, industrial sites as well as cocoa growing areas.

   Accra, the capital, has an approximately 2 million people with several daily commuters.
 
The People: Languages:-

        There are several language groups in Ghana. The main local languages are as follows:-
1. Akan - made up of Asante-Twi, Fante and Akwapim Twi speaking people spread all over Ashanti,
    Brong Ahafo, Western, Central, Eastern, and parts of northern Volta region.
2. Guan - spread all over the country and could be found in the Volta, Central, Western,
    Eastern, Northern, and Brong Ahafo regions.
3. Ewe. - found only in the Volta Region.
4. Dagomba - Found in the Dagbon state of the Northern region.
5. Others - Other language groups include the Gas and Ga-Dangme of Greater Accra and
    Eastern Regions, Nzemas of the Western Region et cetera.  Hausa, a popular West African language
    is also widely spoken in Ghana mainly in the Moslem communities called Zongos.

Local Food Staples:  

      The following local dishes are very popular in Ghana.
1. Northern Region :-  Tuo Zafi - boiled rice ball served with rich vegetable soup with plenty of meat.
2. Central Ghana:-    Fufu - Pounded cooked cassava/yam /cocoyam in addition to boiled plantain,
    served with rich green soup often with smoked fish, snails or bush meat such as grasscutter.
3. Southern Ghana:- Two important dishes here are :-
     1. Kenkey :- cooked corn dough balls served with hot pepper and fried fish.     
     2. Akple / Banku :- Cooked corn dough at times with some cassava dough often served hot with
    okro soup and fish / meat and at times with shrimps / crab soups.
 
Note :- It is important to state here that the dishes listed above no longer have any geographical connotation as you could find any of them being served in any part of the country.
    

The National Flag of Ghana

    The National Flag of Ghana, consists of red, gold and green horizontal stripes with a five pointed black star in the centre of the gold stripe.

1.  The colour red represents the blood of our ancestors who died in the      country's struggle for political independence.
2.  The gold represents the mineral wealth of the country.      flag_125 
3.  The green symbolizes the rich forest of Ghana.
4.  The black star represents the lodestar of African freedom 

 

 Main Economic Activities Of Ghana   

1. Agriculture :
   Cash - Crops - Cocoa, coffee, kola, oil palm nut
   Food Crops - maize, cassava, peanuts, rice, yams.
   Fishing :- Herrings, red fish, sardines.
2. Mining :- Gold, manganese, bauxite, diamond
3. Lumbering  :- Timber
4. Others - Salt Winning.
    
Hospitality Tips for the Foreign Visitor

    Ghanaians are by nature very friendly and helpful.  Therefore, be friendly and respectful to everyone you meet in the country.
     Don't forget to greet people you meet, most especially elders.
Shake hands with your right hand.
    Explore as many opportunities as you can when you are in the country for a visit by associating positively and regularly with the citizens.

Market  Tips

   You can bargain for almost everything in Ghana from taxi fares to food and clothing in the market.
The most popular places for bargaining successfully in Accra the capital, are the Makola market, the Arts Centre, and also from hawkers and street vendors.
    You cannot bargain at the big Supermarkets and stores, because prices are fixed there.

Facts for the Traveler

Visas:book

   All visitors are required to have a visa, except for citizens of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Vaccination :Take a vaccination against Cholera, malaria, yellow fever.
Medical Facilities :- Good medical facilities are found in all main towns, although visitors are advised to bring with them any drugs they need regularly.
Clean Water: Bottled and clean water ( for drinking )  is available in shops for sale.

Time: same as GMT
Electricity: 220V/240V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
 
airport_125Airport:- Kotoka International Airport is situated 12km from Accra city centre.
Customs :- Tourist can bring in personal items duty free, but for detail of trade goods and specialist equipment, please contact the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service or the nearest diplomatic mission.
Communications:- The IDD code for Ghana is +233.  Telephone, fax and telex services are found in all main towns and main hotels and offices.
Driving :- Ghana drives on the right, and current international driving licence is required.  Drivers bringing vehicles into Ghana require a carnet de passage and international insurance.
Religion:- There are three main religious groups in Ghana.  These are Christian, Muslim, and those who follow traditional faiths.  Places of worship are found all over the country.
What to wear :- Light cotton clothing is preferable.  A jacket and tie may be required for business meetings.

Money & Costs

Currency: Cedi (¢)  
Banking :- Banks and forex bureaux are available at the airport and in all main towns.
Banking Hours:- Mondays to Fridays -  0830 - 1500
Commercial Hours:- Mondays to Fridays - 0830 - 1300,  1400 0 1700
Meals  
Budget: US$1-3  
Mid-range: US$3-10
Top-end: US$10 and upwards

 

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