The REPUBLIC OF GHANA

FOOD

• Ghanaian main dishes constists of starchy foods
• The typical staple foods in the Southern part of Ghana include cassava and yam
• In the Northern part,the staple foods include millet and sorghum
• Yam ,maize and beans are used across Ghana as staple foods

Music

• There are many styles of traditional and modern music in Ghana due to its comopolitan geographic position on the African Continent
• The best known modern genre originating in Ghana is Hiplife

Culture of Ghana

• The culture of Ghana encompasses of the cuisine and music of the people
• English is the official language of Ghana and the indigenous Akan language (Twi) is the national language
• Other local languages include Ga, Hausa, Ewe, Nzema

Demographics

• Ghana is a multi- ethnic country
• It's within West Africa was unoccupied and uninhabited until 10th century A.D
• The Akans were the first settle and established Brong Ahafo region
• Ghana is the biggest economical powe

house in West Africa

• The fourth biggest economy on the African

Continent and one of the world's fastest heritage

History

Cont'd

Slave Trade

• It is a sovereign state and a unitary presidential constitutional republic located along the Gulf of Guinea and the Alantic Ocean in West Africa.
• In 1957, it became the first nation to declare independence from colonization in Sub- Saharan Africa
• The country is bordered by Ivory coast in the West, Burkina Faso in the North, Togo in thr East and The Gulf of Guinea and the Altantic Ocean in the south.
• The word Ghana means "Warrior King".
• Ghana has 238,535km2 land mass with 2,093km of international land borders

• The role of African chiefs, Muslim traders and merchant princes also played a role in the Trans- Atlantic slave trade in Africa.
• Many of the tradition chiefs engaged in wars for acquiring of slaves for the export market.
• Ghana gained independence on

March 6, 1957

• When the first Europeans arrive in the late fifteenth century, many inhabitants of Gold Coast were striving to consolidate their newly acquired territories and to settle in a secure and permament environment.
• The Portuguese were the first to arrive in 1471 and they were under the leadership of Prince Henry the navigatar.
• They had reached the area that was known to be Gold Coast because they knew the area to be a source of gold.
• They built the Elima Castle as a permanent place to trade their goods.
• Through struggles between the Dutch and the Portuguese over trade and castles , the British gained possession of all the Dutch coastal forts and become the dominant European power on Gold Coast

REGIONS in Ghana

Ghana consists of 10 administrative

regions and some islands.

Part of are endowed with savannas,

woodlands, waterfalls, streams and

caves

Festivals

• Ghanaian festivals are colorful and vibrant part of their nature
• Throughout the year, festivals and durbars are held in various parts of the country for reunion, development purposes and to strengthen beliefs.
• Dipo (Puberty rites) occurs in April. This festival initiates young girls into womanhood.
• Aboakyir(Deer Hunting) :This occurs in May. A hunting expedition by two Asafo groups to catch a live antelope. The first group to present their antelope to the chief is considered a winner and rewarded greatly.
• Homowo(Harvest/ Thanksgiving): This occurs in August/ September.Ceremonies for this festival include a procession of chiefs through the principal streets with all twins in the area dresses purposely for this occasion. The festive food Kpokpoi is sprinkled during the procession to the ancestors.

The REPUBLIC OF GHANA

The People

Pictures of Festival

• There are over 100 ethnic groups. The largest are Akan, Ga, Ewe
• The Ashanti tribe of the Akan are the largest tribes and one of the few tribes in West Africa that can trace their lineage through their paternal and marternal ancestors.
• Once famous for the wealth and luxury of their rulers, they are now famous for their craftswork such as hand carved stools and kente cloth.

Religion

• Religious affliation in Ghana is made up of 71.2% Christians .ie: 28.3% Pentecostal//Charismatic, 18.4% Protestants, 13.1% Catholics, 11.4% Other. 17.6% Muslims, 5.2 Traditional ,None is 5.2%
• Religious tolerance in Ghana is very high
• Major Christian celebrations such as Easter and Christmas are considered as national holidays.
• Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting is observed by months in Ghana
• Traditional festivals such as Homowo, Aboakyir, Dipo, Odwira festivals.

Sports

• Soccer is the most popular sports in Ghana.
• The national men soccer team is called Black Stars

Children

Marriage

• Children occupy a central place in society and are usually raised in a close family group
• Although the mother has a responsibility of child rearing and development, it is shared among all members of the family.
• Children develop a strong sense of social responsibility at a young age.

• Marriage is important in Ghanian societies.
• It is not only viewed as a union between two individuals but also two extend families.
• The elders provide support for the married couples and aksi serve as resources when they encounter problems making it difficult for any spouses to seek divorce easily.
• Two main families can be identified in Ghana : the patrilineal and the matrilineal.

Etiquette and Customs

• Traditional or native greetings varies among the various ethnic group
• With foreigners, the most common greetings is the handshake with a smile
• As sign of respect, males over the age of 30 are addressed as "papa" whiles women of the same age may be called "maame".
• People of the age of 50 are referred to as "nana"
• Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand.
• If invited to dinner in a Ghanian home, you are not expected to bring gifts , however, a gift for children is always a nice way to show concern for family.
• Greet elders of the family first.
• Wait to be told where to sit