Brief
History
The country Ghana was formerly
known as the Gold Coast and later named after the old Ghana Empire, one of the
largest empires formed on the African continent that developed out of the coastal
regions. Its area corresponded to the present regions of Mali and
Mauritania, which borders the immense Sahara desert.
In 1470, a group of Portuguese
arrived at the Gold Coast which marked the first contact between Europe and the
Gold Coast or present-day Ghana.
The Portuguese In 1482 built the Elmina
Castle as a permanent trading base. Thomas Windham in 1553 made the first
recorded commercial trip to the Gold Coast.
Over the next three centuries,
Germans, English, Danish, Dutch, and Portuguese controlled various parts of the
coastal areas. By 1821, the British government had taken control of the colony
and trading activities on the Coast.
During the colonial period
(between the 16th and 19th centuries), several inhabitants of the land
currently, Ghanaians were sold as slaves to work on plantation forms in America and Europe.
Ghana gained its
independence on 6 March 1957 and became the first African country to gain its
own state against the European colonizing forces. In 1960, Ghana was proclaimed
a Republic and remained a member of the Commonwealth.
In February 1966, Kwame Nkrumah who
declared the country's independence was overthrown by a military coup. The
overthrow marked the beginning of a period of instability and corruption.
Late 1981, however, a young military officer, Lieutenant
Jerry Rawlings took over power which marked his second coup. A new
constitution was passed on April 1992, and Ghana returned to a civilian government
starting a new era of economic stability and democracy.
Since 1992 Ghana has
been conducting elections with the most recent being the 2016 elections.
Geographic location
Mount Afadjato, is the highest point
of Ghana measuring at about 880 meters
above sea level. Ghana has a number of thick
forests, lakes, streams and a number of rivers. Two major rivers - the Nakambe
River(White Volta) and Mouhoun River(the Black Volta) flow from Burkina Faso into Ghana. These two
"Voltas" meet to form the huge Volta Lake the world's largest
artificial lake. Lake Volta can be located in the Volta Region. Covering an
estimated surface area of 3,283 square miles and 62 feet at average
depth. The lake generates electricity,
provides inland transportation and is a potentially valuable resource for
irrigation and fish farming. The Volta Lake stretches from the
Akosombo Dam in south-eastern Ghana to the town of Yapei, 520 km (325 mi.) to
the north and enters the sea at Ada.
There are other bigger lakes like Bosumtwi in the
Ashanti Region which is the second biggest in the country covering an estimated
surface area of 19 square miles. It has a maximum length of 5.3 miles and 5.0 miles in
width with an average depth of 148 feet.
Other rivers in Ghana: River
Densu Bia River, Tano River, Nini River, Ankobra River, Pra River,Ofin River, Birim
River, Anum River,Ayensu River,Volta River, Todzie River and Afram River just
to mention a few.
Ghana's low coastline is backed by
plains and shrubs which is mostly sandy having a tropical rain forest belt near
the Ivory Coast frontier extending northward from the shore which are
characterised by a number of streams and rivers and heavily forested hills. This part of the
country produces most of the economic resources like cocoa, timber and the earth
minerals.
Climate
Ghana is only a few degrees north
of the Equator, its climate is tropical.
Climatic conditions across the country are not uniform. The extent of drought
and rainfall varies across the country. Generally, Ghana has two seasons the wet
and dry season. Ghana experiences it raining seasons from about April through
late June. Just after August which is generally dry another rainy season begins
in September and lasts through November. From January to April, a longer harmattan
season set in. The harmattan period always comes with a drop in humidity with
the north experiencing much hotter day and cooler nights than the other regions.
The southern part of Ghana is the rainiest with the southwest corner having the
heaviest in the sub where it reaches 2,000 mm (80 in) per year. The northern
savanna, The driest areas receives rainfall of around 1,000 mm (40 in) per year.
The lower Volta region, Accra plains, including Takoradi rainfall averages drops
below 800 mm (31.5 in).
All year round temperature is
usually high throughout the country with the northern part recording the highest.
Ghana has a mean temperature between 26°C and 29°C. At mountainous areas
temperatures are a bit low and conducive. In the north temperature as high as 31°C
are prevalent while humidity can drops as low as 25 during the harmattan
season. For the southern part of the country during the night hour humidity of
95 to 100 percent are common. But generally, the south is humid.
Economy
The economy of Ghana is market-based, It is the second-largest export of cocoa globally. It also the largest exporter of gold in the sub-region. Ghana is well endowed with natural
resources and agriculture accounting for about 20% of
GDP and employs more than half of the workforce. While the service
sector accounts for 50% of GDP. The major exports of the country include gold,
cocoa beans, and timber products. Others include tuna, aluminum, manganese ore,
diamonds, and horticulture. Just after independence in 1957 Ghana has tried to
modernize its economy of which they made great progress, by developing industry
and its agriculture.
Agriculture is based on coffee,
banana, potato, corn, and rice production. The industry operates in food,
beverage, cigarette, chemical, metallurgical and timber production. Ghana
also cultivates many other export products, such as rubber, palm oil, and kola
nuts. Though Ghana does export in agriculture, majority of it farmers do only
subsistence farming.
Shortly after independence just
about the 1960s to 1980s Ghana was hit by corruption and several military takeovers which brought the economy on its knees.
The World Bank, the International
Monetary Fund and relevant international donor communities proposed radical structural
adjustment to revive the troubled economy and to restore their productivity.
The then government led by Jerry John
Rawlings accepted the reform, the government introduced a series of free-market
reforms In 1983. In an effort to revive the faltering economy. As part of
the reform, rural electrification was deepened and new roads constructed. Also, Farmers were paid
more money for their crops thereby increasing agricultural production.
In 2001 Ghana was hit by another economic
crisis, Ghana was declared a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). According to the then President, John Agyekum Kufuor, the decision was strategic because the
economy he inherited was so bad that all donor partners had abandoned Ghana and
the move was significant in putting the economy back on its tracks. In 2006 Ghana
signed a five-year Compact, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which aims to assist
in the transformation of Ghana's agricultural sector.
In 2007 Ghana discovered offshore oil within its marine boundaries and by the mid-2010, production officially began and is expected to boost economic growth. In 2016 and 2017, the production of another two oil fields TEN and Sankofa started respectively. With TEN initially supplied about 20,000 barrels per day. Ghana has a gas processing plant at Atuabo producing gas for power generation which is from the Jubilee field. Apart from the oil reserves, there is significant natural gas deposits below the country’s seabed which is yet to be tapped. The gas deposit is estimated to be more than 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
In 2007 Ghana discovered offshore oil within its marine boundaries and by the mid-2010, production officially began and is expected to boost economic growth. In 2016 and 2017, the production of another two oil fields TEN and Sankofa started respectively. With TEN initially supplied about 20,000 barrels per day. Ghana has a gas processing plant at Atuabo producing gas for power generation which is from the Jubilee field. Apart from the oil reserves, there is significant natural gas deposits below the country’s seabed which is yet to be tapped. The gas deposit is estimated to be more than 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
Whether
the black gold resource for Ghana turns out to be a curse or a blessing only
time can tell.
Ghana In 2009, signed a three-year
Poverty Reduction and Growth program with
the IMF to improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competitiveness,
human resource development and good governance and civic responsibility.
The government has also
introduced several programs to help in development and poverty eradication.
Like Zongo Development
Fund (ZDF), by the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development, the National
Entrepreneurship Innovation Program (NEIP), the Infrastructure for
Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP).One popular of them is the Nation
Builders Corps (NABCO) a program designed to employ the unemployed
graduates.
Through increased foreign
direct investment, especially from China, lavish transfers of Ghanaian overseas,
growing tourism and lending from relevant international development
institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and African
Development Bank are contributing significantly to growth and
modernization of its economy. Discovery of oil has also brought about enormously
costly investments in the oil and gas sector and the necessary improvements in
infrastructure.
But there is still considerable
potential for growth in the traditional agricultural sectors and the poorly
developed industrial sector. Going forward Ghana needs to massively develop its economy
by investing in its agriculture and industrial sector through technology and innovation
for the future.
Population
picture: wiki
Ghana has a very young population
with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25.
The population of Ghana in 1921
was 2.2 million, by the year 1948 the population had almost doubled reaching
4.1 million within a period of 27 years. After the 1957 independence, Ghana did
a population census in 1960 counted about 6.7 million people. About 12% of
Ghana’s population in 1960 were immigrants. About 10 years after the country
saw a 27 percent increase in population registering 8.5 million inhabitants in the
national census in 1970. In 1984 Ghana had another census counting 12.3 million
people. Just within the space of about 24 years, the population doubled almost. For
the period between 1965 and 1980 Ghana had an annual growth rate of 2.2
percent. In 1990 Ghana’s population was estimated to have increased to about 15
million and to an estimated 17.2 million in mid-1994.From 1981 through 1989
Ghana had a population growth rate of 3.4
percent and a growth rate of 3.2 percent in 1992. By the year 2000 Ghana’s
population had reached 18.9 million having a growth rate of 2.7 percent. In
2010 the population of Ghana has grown to 24.6 million. The results indicated
that Ghana’s population increased by 30.4 percent over the 2000 population
figure. Recording an annual growth rate of 2.5 percent as against 2.7 percent
recorded in 2000. Ghana's population is being projected to reach 30.4 million by
the year 2020
Ghana's significant population
should break 40 million before 2035 and it is predicted to dwindle in the coming
years, just below 2 percent by 2025.
There has been very rapid
population growth, population density rose from 28 inhabitance per km² in 1960
to 39 inhabitance per km² in 1970. The population density rose to 51 inhabitance
per km² in 1984 and in 2000 it had hit 79 inhabitance per km².In 2010 the
figure rose to 103 per km². The population density of the country is not even
due to migration. Poverty and other developmental disparities continue to drive
Ghanaians from the far north to the south, particularly to its urban centers
especially Accra and Kumasi. Also increased emigration of skilled Ghanaians,
especially to the US and the UK, drains the country of its health care and education
professionals just in search of a better livelihood.
Total fertility rate has declined
from a high of around 7 children per woman in the 1960s to 6.4 in 1988. As at
1993 total fertility rate was recorded as 5.5, which has declined further to
4.6 in 1998 and as of 2015 it has declined to 4.3. But the fertility rate is
not as even as estimated. Fertility
remains higher in the northern region than the Greater Accra region. On average,
desired fertility has remained stable for several years; urban dwellers want
fewer children than rural residents. By the year 2030, fertility will decline
to an average of 3.4 children per woman over the course of her lifetime. Within a period of 15 years, there has been a
reduction of almost two children per woman. The crude birth rate has been high
at about 45 per 1000 population in the 1960s and 1970s with marked decline observed
only during the 1990s. Also, the crude death rate of 18 per 1,000 population in
1965 fell to 13 per 1,000 population in 1992, while life expectancy rose from a
1970 to 1975 average of forty-two years for men and forty-five years for women
to fifty-two and fifty-six years, respectively, in 1992. Life expectancy has increased,
due to better health care, nutrition, and hygiene, and reduced fertility have
increased Ghana’s share of elderly persons; Ghana’s proportion of persons aged
60+ is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, life expectancy for
both male and female is 59.8 years and 62.3 years respectively and is expected to improve
in the future. Though there has been an improvement this is below the average
life expectancy at birth of the global population which is about 71 years. Ghana
needs substantial investments in reproductive health and family planning, for
fertility levels to continue to decline. With additional investments in family
planning, health, and education, as well as economic initiatives to facilitate
job creation in the country
Governance and Politics
The independence of Ghana was
declared by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and since then the black African nation
has been in charge of her own affairs. Though
the country has been hit by several military takeovers but now it is generally stable.
Ghana has a very strong democratic system backed by its 1992 constitution which
came to effect on 7 January 1993. Ghana has a very vibrant Judiciary, a working
Parliament and very forceful Executive. Ghana has grown to become the envy and beacon
of African democracy. Since 1992 they have had successful elections. The first election
was won by Jerry John Rawling who stood on the ticket of the NDC in 1992 and
also won the 1996 election on the ticket of the NDC. The 2000 and 2004 election
was won by John Agyekum Kufuor on the ticket of the NPP. The NDC made a comeback
in 2008 with Professor Evance Fiifi Atta Mills, unfortunately for Ghana
President Mills died in office and his Vice John Dramani Maham was sworn in as president.
He won the 2012 election and was defeated in 2016 by Nana Akufo
Addo. Nana Akufo Addo's government has gone down in history books of the word as
the largest government in the world ever. Having about 123 ministers. The term
of office is four years and a president can only run for two terms. The constitution
has wielded much power to the president: He appoints members of cabinet which is
subject to approval by the parliament,
Cheif
justice and is head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The Vice-President chairs a 25-
member council of state, composed mainly of regional representatives and
presidential nominees, and a 20-member national security council.
Ghana’s constitution is a blend of the British and American law. There is sharing of powers among the arm of
government. The national legislature is the unicameral Parliament, whose 275
members are elected by universal adult suffrage every four years with unlimited
re-election. Its concern with making laws for the country and members represent
their respective constituencies.
The Judiciary has the sole
responsibility of interpreting the Constitution and laws, administering justice
and providing other related services headed by the Chief Justice.
But political leaders are not the
only guarantors of democracy. "Ghana places great importance on the
leaders of its various communities, particularly the Chiefs, who are very close
to the people. Chieftaincy plays a major role in maintaining law and order in
the country.
National symbols
Ghana state flag
The red colour symbolizes the blood
shed in the struggle for political independence and freedom.
Gold represents the minerals wealth of the country.
Green stands for the wealth of the forests and agriculture.
The star represents the lone star
of African freedom.
State coat of arms of Ghana
The national symbol is
characterized by a shield, divided into four quarters by a green St. George’s
Cross, rimmed with gold
At the top left-hand quarter, is a
blue background with a crossed linguists’staff and ceremonial sword
representing local administration.
On a light background which
represents national government is a heraldic castle on a heraldic sea.
At the bottom left-hand quarter
is a cocoa tree which stands for the agricultural wealth
of the country.
Also at the bottom right hand
quarter is a mine shaft which stands for the mineral wealth of the country.
At the very heart of the Green St
George’s Cross is a gold lion standing for the continuing link between Ghana
and the Commonwealth.
On top of the shield is a black five-pointed star rimmed with gold
standing on the wreath of Pan-African colours (red, gold and green ) standing
for the lone star of African Freedom.
On the left and right-hand side
are two eagles supporting the shield, around each of whose neck hangs a black
star suspended from a ribbon of ghana’s colours - red, gold and green symbolize
protectors with strength, very clear and attentive eyes keeping watch over the
country.
Under the shield is the motto
FREEDOM AND JUSTICE standing for national aspirations.
Regions and capitals
|
|
| Greater
Accra Region |
|
Ashanti
Region |
|
Volta
Region
|
|
Oti
Region
|
|
| Upper
West Region |
Wa |
Upper
East Region
|
|
Northern
Region
|
Tamale |
Savannah
Region
|
|
Ahafo
Region
|
Goaso |
Bono
East Region
|
Techiman |
Bono
Region
|
|
North
East Region
|
|
Western
North Region-
|
|
Western
Region
|
|
| Eastern
Region |
|
Central
Region
|
|
The New Map of Ghana
Mineral Resources and Energy
Ghana is a field of mineral
resources, yes a field of abundant unquantifiable precious earth goodies. No wonder
the slave masters called it the Gold coast. The land is so gargantuanly blessed
in gold, manganese, bauxite, industrial diamonds, timber, rubber, hydropower,
petroleum, silver, salt, and limestone. Currently, Ghana is Africa's largest gold
producer and the 9th largest producer in the world, having 23 large-scale mining companies (Asanko Gold,
Golden Star Resources, Endeavour Mining, Kinross Gold, Perseus Mining,
Xtra-Gold Resources, Gold Fields,
AngloGold Ashanti and Newmont Mining) producing gold, diamonds, bauxite and
manganese. The sector also employs about
28,000 people excluding small scale miners. Ghana produced 3.6 million
ounces of gold in 2011, the highest ever in the history of the country. Ghana’s
mining sector contributes 5% to its GDP. In 2017 Ghana made GHC2.16 billion from
the mining sector. In terms of Ghana’s total export minerals makeup 37%.
In 2010 Ghana made more discoveries
of mineral deposits which are expected to boost the country’s economy and
development. The deposits include copper, phosphate, nickel, chromium, and
uranium.
The mining sector plays an important role in Ghana’s economy, with gold accounting for over 90% of
the sector.
Ghana also has oil and natural gas,
which rakes in massive revenue every year.
Tourism
Ghana is a beautiful place to be,
the country is not only blessed in earth mineral resources but also has very
attractive tourist destinations. Ghana has more than 20 plus tourist site to visit.
The tourism sector accounts for 4.8% of its GDP and the fourth-largest source of
foreign revenue for the economy currently. Ghana receives an estimated 1.2
million tourists in the year 2016 and made an estimated revenue of $2.2billion.During
the 1960s tourism in Ghana was not giving priority until 1993 under the
rulership of the then president Jerry John Rawlings who created the Ministry of
tourism, art, and culture.
The Government of Ghana then led by Jerry John Rawlings saw
this area of opportunity and capitalized on it, ultimately appropriating the
Ghanaian culture and utilizing it as a source of income. Through the establishment of public memorials honoring the "illustrious sons" of Ghana and castles that were once used for the slavery were refurbished. The government also encouraged private sector participation via incentives, the government was effectively able to push tourism
forward with the cost of capitalizing on Ghanaian culture.
Today tourist come from far and
near to have a feel of Ghana’s rich culture and tradition. People from
neighboring countries like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo and
European countries like the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands
Ghana has a massive and immense tourism resource. The country is richly blessed with historical, natural, cultural
and other man-made attractions.
Ghana is a fascinating country
with breathtaking nature and wildlife having over 30 castles and Forts most
of which are in good shape. The Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, Fort William
at Anomabu, Christiansborg Castle at Accra, Fort Patience at Apam, Fort
Amsterdam at Abandze, Fort Apollonia at Beyin, Fort St. Sebastian at Shama, Fort
St. Anthonio at Axim, Fort Metal Cross at Dixcove and Fort Orange at Sekondi
just to mention a few.
The country is also blessed with
numerous national parks: Kakum National Park, Bia National Park, Digya National
Park, Nini Suhien National Park, Bui National Park, Kyabobo National Park, Mole
National Park and Asubima Forest Reserve. This parks and forest reserves are
filled with different wildlife species.
When it comes to waterfalls the
country is not left out. It has very beautiful and neat waterfalls like the
Kintampo waterfall, wli waterfall and Boti waterfall.
The largest man-made lake, the
Volta Lake can be found in Ghana. Another important lake is Lake Bosomtwe located in the Asante kingdom. Apart
from these major water bodies, Ghana has a number of animal sanctuaries such as
Monkey sanctuary, Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, and the Paga Crocodile Pond.
The south coast runs around 539 kilometers and is flanged with palm beaches and traditional fishing villages. In
the future, the nation is planning for one of the iconic and ambitious projects
in the history of its Tourism investment. The project which is dubbed the
“Marine Drive Tourism and Investment Project,” The project which stretches from
the Accra Osu Christiansborg Castle to the Arts Centre in the Gamehsie enclave
and will cover a total of 241 acres of land. The project is being estimated
at 1.2 billion U.S Dollars and will employ some 150,000 people during and after
completion.
This and many other projects the
government is doing to enhance its tourism sector.
Ethnic Groups And Languages In
Ghana
Ghana is an ethnically diverse
country with several ethnic groups and tribes speaking different languages. It
used to be said that before independence the country had about 100+ ethnic group’s
languages. Currently it very difficult to tell the exact number of ethnic groups
in Ghana. But officially the major ethnic groups in Ghana are the Akans, Mole-Dagbane,
Ewe, Guan, and Ga-Adangbe.All these ethnic groups are subdivided into subgroups.
The subdivisions of each group share a common cultural heritage, history,
language, and origin.
The Akan group is the majority in
present-day Ghana. They belong to the Kwa group like the Ewe and the Ga-Adangbe
according to linguistic language classification. While the Gur-speaking people are the Gurma, Grusi, and
Mole-Dagbane.The Kwa and the Gur are the two major linguistic subfamilies which
come from Niger-Congo linguistic family. The Kwa linguistic group can be found
in the south of the Volta River, constituting 75% of Ghana’s population while the Gur group are in the north of the
Volta River.
Akans
Akans
The Akans are divided into the
Asante, Fante, Akwapim, Akyem, Akwamu, Ahanta, Bono, Nzema, Kwahu, and
Safwi.The Asante’s are the biggest in the Akan group and also in the country.
They speak Twi and makeup 47.5% of Ghana’s population. The Twi dialect has become
one of the commonest dialects in the country coming second after English. The Asante’s
are said to be proud and confident because of their wealth and power. The
Asante Kingdome is one of the largest in Africa. Though the Kingdom pride
itself in gold and other precious minerals, more than 50% of its inhabitance
are very poor.
Mole-Dagbane
Mole Dagbane groups form 16.5% of
the population of Ghana and have a common ancestor. They speak the Dagbani
language and are related to the Mossi who have their homeland in present-day
Burkina Faso. Its speakers are culturally the most varied; they include the
Nanumba, Dagomba, Mamprusi, Wala, Builsa, Frafra, Talensi, and Kusase. The
northern sector of the country is the most deprived in term of development and
most of the poorest communities can be located there.
Ewes
The Ewe land which constitutes a single linguistic group,
are divided into the Nkonya, Tafi, Logba, Sontrokofi, Lolobi, and Likpe.The
Ewes are said to hail from the northern part of Nigeria, other accounts say east and another suggests it west. They are located in
Benin, Togo and the Volta Region of Ghana. They speak four dialects that are Anglo, Awuna, Hudu, and Kotafoa. They account for 13.9% of the
Ghanaian population and speak the Ewe language. Most of the dwellers are
traditionalist with a large number of smaller deities. They have a very rich
culture which is music-driven. The Ewe
women are said to be the most beautiful and industrious in the country. The
region is blessed with oil but it's among one of the deprived and underdeveloped regions in the country.
Just to mention a few numbers of languages
spoken in different regions of Ghana. The Asantes speak Twi. Within the
Upper West Region, languages are spoken include
Gagaare, Birifor and Sisaala. Ghanaians
living in the
Northern Region speak
Dagbane, Gonja, Anufo / Chokosi, Mampruli, Mo, Deg, Nawuri, Chumburung, Birifor,
Hanga, Konkomba and Tampulma among other languages. In the Volta Regions
of Ghana, the languages spoken are Akyode, Nkonya, Adele,
Ntrubo and Ewe. Kasem,
Buli, Frafra, Kusaal, Kasem and Koma are spoken by people living in the
Upper Eastern Region of
Ghana. People who live in the Greater Accra Region speak Ga and
Dangbe. On the other hand, those who live in the western
region speak the Nzema.
List of Ethnic Groups in Ghana
and Population Percentage
Ashanti 47.5%
Mole-Dangbon 16.6%
Ewe 13.9%
Ga-Dangme 7.4%
Gurma 5.7%
Guang 3.7%
Grusi 2.5%
Mande 1.1%
Other Groups 1.4%
FOOD IN GHANA
Food is a human necessity in
every society and it not different in the Ghanaian society. Ghanaians place a
lot of value and time on their everyday meals. Ghanaians are very creative when
it comes to their foods. These food are eating at all occasion, whether naming ceremony,
parties, funerals, Christmas or festivals. Ghanaian foods are made from yam, cassava,
plantain, rice, millet, sweet potatoes, cocoyam, corn, wheat, beans, etc. Ghanaian
foods are starch dominated and these foods are eating raw or with stew or soup or sugar. Though modernization has
influenced the way of life in the country the change is not that dramatic, Ghanaians
have well blended western culture into theirs.
In the morning generally, some
households preferably take milo or tea with bread. For the greater majority, they head striate to the wayside "Ameria" for their Hausa Koko and
kosae. Hausa Koko is spicy millet porridge made from fermented millet. The
millet is first soaked in water for about two to three days. The water is then
drained away milled with some spices like red chili peppers, ginger, and black
peppercorns. Hausa Koko is enjoyed with bread, bofrot, and kosae. Hausa Koko is
best prepared by northerners in Ghana because it their food.
If Hausa Koko is not your favorite
there are other options like
"Oblayo"or Ekoagbemi.The two are made from crushed corn. Just that the
size of the Oblayo is bigger than that of the Ekoagbemi. These can be enjoyed with
peanuts, milk, bread and bofrot. Ghanaians really have variety to start the
morning. other like Tombrown,Oat, and wheat porridge.
The Ewes have a very popular
Porridge called "Korklui", it is made from corn dough. The dough is
sieved into small rounded pebbles. The Ewes also have Porridge made from corn
flour: white porridge(silky smooth
porridge made from corn dough), white
porridge with saltpeter(saltpeter is added to change the coloure and
flavour).
Not all Ghanaians do the porridge
thing in the morning. For some whether in the morning, afternoon or evening
they like something heavy.
Ethnically the Akans preferably
the Asantes like Fufu and they can eat
it any time of the day.Fufu is pounded cassava and plantain for the Asantis but
other forms exist, where pounded tubers are kneaded together and eating with groundnut soup, palm nut soup or light soup. Almost all Ghanaian soups look to have the
same preparing formula. Most ingredients used are tomatoes, onions, garden
eggs, smoked fish, meat, pepper, garlic, salt and other spices. For example, palm nut soup is done by first boiling the palm nuts and it then pounded, sieved and the other ingredients
added to teste.
The Akans have a very delicious soup prepared with fresh feces or droppings of a grasscutter and
it most enjoyed with fufu.
Akple is the favourate of the
Ewes and it most enjoyed with okro soup or grounded pepper and kate schoolboys or stew. When it comes to Akple they do not joke and there are different types of Akple. Akple is made with cornflour or dough. As said the Ewes are very creative
when it comes to their Akple.They have Amokple(prepared with corn
dough), Awodeme(cornflour and cassava dough or gari cooked together) Dzankple or Akpledzi (beans, coconut,palm
oil and cornflour meat,fish). The list is never-ending, Akple can be eating with palm nut or groundnut or light
soup as well.
If it comes to cooking in Ghana the
ewe women are best and almost any Ghanaian can testify to that effect that the "Davis" are good. The Ewes have a very long list when it comes to food. You can make mention of
Abolo,yakayake and many others
The Ga's love their Kenkey and
hot pepper. Kenkey is a corn-based food, which is made by molding fermented
corn dough into balls and wrapped with corn husk which is then boiled. The meal
is served with pepper sauce, fried crab, octopus or fish, stew or soup and is a
delicacy of the Ga people.
The northerners also like their
Waakye and Tiozafi. Waakye is simply rice and beans cooked together and can be
eating with stew. Tiozafi is also a corn-based food.The "Amerias" make the best
Waakye Tiozafi and Hausa koko in the country.
There are also some general foods
you can find on the streets of Accra like Jollof rice, red-red(beans,gari,palm
oil and fried plantain),kelewele(spiced fried plantain) Gari soakings (cassava
flacks),Ampesi(boiled yam,cassava,plantain
eating with stew such as kontomire) and a host of other foods.
As l said early on that Ghanaians
are masters when it comes to cultural integration. On the streets, you can find restaurants
that serve both western dishes and local cuisines and there are restaurants that
serve strictly western food such as chines,
Italian Turkish restaurants. The cost of eating at these places is much
expensive. Food usually ranges from $ 20 and above.
Most average Ghanaians do not
have that much to spend so they prefer the Chop Bars which are the localized
restaurants. Food at these places are generally far cheaper. Just with $1 or
better you can eat and be satisfied.
These Chop Bars serve variety of
local dishes from kokontey(face the wall),banku,fufu, omotuo,TZ,Ampesi.The
soups cames with variety of meat (bush meat, chicken etc) and fish. You choose what
you eat.
Marriage in Ghana
picture:myjoyonline
Before the white man brought his
religion and influence to the Gold Coast our forefathers had ways of doing
things. Today modernity and western
culture has a lot to say in majority of Ghanaian culture and tradition.
Marriage rites are one of the most important cultural practices of
the people of Ghana. Though marriage rite differs from ethnic group to ethnic
group there seem to be some similarities in the process.
Taking the people from the three northern regions of Ghana, these rites seem to be the same.
Among the northerners marriage
used to be inexpensive. A man who has seen a beautiful young lady and wants to marry her will start giving her gifts. The man also gives the girl’s
parent gift just to announce to the girl’s parent his intentions. These gifts could be cola nuts, yam, meat and in some cases money. Most often the gift given
varies from community to community.
Among the northerners, betrothal
is very common and a girl can be given to prospective husband as soon as she
is given birth to and the man takes responsibility of her till she is of age
for marriage. Child marriage is very common among northerners. A teenage
girl can be given to a man who is 40 0r 50 years older than her and it's considered a normal way of life.
A man who is ready to marry first
goes to tell the girl's parent his decision, a day is fixed for the marriage ceremony.
In most of the northern tribes, it is the fathers that marry for their sons. On
the fixed date the man's father sends the bride price. Bridewealth can be kola
nut and money. Infect bride price range from simple to complex. In some
communities the bridewealth can be a number of cows, others demand a number of
dogs without it the marriage rite can’t be performed.
After the bride price is taking
by the parent, the girl is asked if she wants to marry the prospective husband. The
girl is asked three things in the presence of family and friends gathered. The
kola nut is shared among those present
if the girl agrees, each present takes a bite affirming that they agree to the
marriage. The money is then shared among the gathered family as witnesses to
the marriage.
On a set day and date the bride
is sent to her husband’s home. On her arrival to the husband's home, she is given
to an elderly woman to care of her and teach her for seven. During this time
the husband would visit her and she is familiarised with her husband’s property
and family. She is not officially accepted until the man’s parents are sure she
can stay with them. In some communities like the Sisala, the bride is
accompanied by a sister who stays with her for a few months.
Marriage among the Akans and the
Ewes is very similar. In general, the marriage process begins with "knocking" the Akans call it
kokako while the Ewes call it “vofofo”
and Ga-Adangbe calls it Agboshimo and it done by presenting two bottles of Schnapps to the family. The presented
drink is called "tiri nsa" in Akan. In this ritual, the future
husband accompanied by his father or someone elderly could be senior uncle and some selected members of his family go to the bride's house
to announce their intentions towards the bride. Most of the time, this takes
place a week or two before the official wedding ceremony but in recent times it done with the traditional wedding.
The time period allowed is to afford
the girls' parents to do their own assessment of the prospective husband and family.
The girl is also asked if she wants to marry the man asking her hand in marriage.
If she agrees then a prepared list of items that would be needed in order for
the traditional wedding to hold would be presented to the man's family and a day
is set to perform the necessary marriage rites.
As part of the list given to the
groom is the Dowry. The Dowry is an important part of the list and marriage ceremony.
It is a valuable gift given to the
bride's family in exchange for their "precious flower" and for the investment that her parents have made in her since birth.
Other things on the list are
jewelry, engagement ring, whiskey or wine, sewing machine and a host of other
things.
On the set day, the two families sit face to face in the girl’s family
home. Prayers are said to mark the beginning of the ceremony.
The Dowry and all the other items on the list are presented one by one by the
groom's family. At each step, the items are checked against to ensure that
everything on the list is there. The items presented differs from community to
community. At this point, the bride is
not present in most of these procedures. All discussions and negotiations are
conducted on behalf of both the bride
and the groom by a spokesperson designated by their families. The presentation of
the bride and groom is the next step, the bridegroom is first introduced to his
in-laws, then the bride makes her entrance accompanied by some relatives.
Beautifully cladded in kente and gold jewelry.
The bride is asked three times if she agrees to marry the man. Prayers
are said for the couple and rings are exchanged. Nowadays due to
modernism,inter-ethnic marriages and international marriages things have changed. All this are done amidst dancing, singing and cracking jokes just to make
the ceremony lovely.
After the traditional marriage
some couples go to court to officially register their marriage and some choose
to do the western church kind of
marriage and it all recognized by the law of the land.
Naming and outdooring ceremony
Naming and outdooring a newborn
is a compulsory culture rite done by the
family of the baby in the presence of family members. In the Akan community, it
is called abdinto and the Ewes call it
vehehedego. For the Akans and Ewes, the
two ceremonies are done together unlike the northern tribe that does their
outdooring on the third day after birth.
Naming and outdooring a newborn
is to give the child identity and introduce the newborn into society and
introduce society to the child. Without proper ceremony, it is believed that
evil spirits around can bring bad luck to the newborn. Western culture has some
kind liberalized the way things are done adays. Before western influence naming
ceremony began and ends before sunrise. Usually, the name to be given to the
child is the responsibility of the man but this could be a shared responsibility
of the couple. In the traditional days, the naming process was done by an elder in
the family which could be the child’s grandfather or chief priest. But nowadays naming ceremonies are done by Clergymen.
Traditionally two cups are provided,
one containing water and the other gin but this too has shifted a bit, in place
of the gin some use salt and additions like honey and soft drink are made. The
ritual process differs from place to place based on their beliefs.
An elder or clergyman dips his
index finger into the water and place it on the mouth of the infant child and
followed by saying “when we say it is water, say it is water” .This process is repeated thrice. He dips his index
finger into the gin and places it on the mouth of the infant child saying,
“when we say it is gin, say it is gin”. This process is repeated in the same
way thrice. In some setting, a cutlass is giving to the child if it a male and a broom is given if it's a female. This process is done to instill morality and a
sense of responsibility into the child. After these prayers are said for the
child and they are wished long life and prosperity
The name of the child is then announced
to those gathered and this is received with joy and cheer.
During the ceremony, gifts are presented
to the newborn and merry is made amidst dancing, music drinking, and eating.
Funeral rites in Ghana
picture:ghana.photographers-resource.
If you are visiting Ghana for the
first time you might be mistaking a funeral for a festival. In Ghana, funerals are
important! Often, they take place several weeks after the death of the person,
to allow the family to inform all relatives and raise the money necessary for
the ceremony.
Whether the deceased is very
elderly or very young the families mourn extensively. Funerals in Ghana seem to
share common procedures with just a little noticeable difference. Extravagant
occasions that can last over a week to a month. A week after the death of the person,
the families meet to observe a one-week ceremony just to celebrate. Under this
meeting, they plan, share responsibility on how they will bury their loved one.
Such meetings are held many times before a day is picked while these meetings
take place the body of the deceased is kept at the mortuary. From the day the
person dead to the date of burial could take several months or years depending
on the caliber of the individual. For kings and chiefs, they are given a much more elaborated funeral and the
rituals involved are more rigorous compared to commoners. Certain things are
needed for the burial like the coffin, dress for the deceased, food, money and
host of other things. In some traditions, the coffin is to be purchased by the
children of the deceased or if it a child the parent will take responsibility.
If the deceased belongs to an association and he or she is committed the
association will opt for the coffin or the dress or even pay mortuary fees. Majority
of funerals are held on Saturdays. Before that very Saturday, the body is taking
from the mortuary on Friday and given to an undertaker to prepare the body for burial.
Services of criers who weep to entice guests to join in are employed. The body
is then laid in state till Saturday morning. If the deceased is a Christian on
the day of burial he or she is taking to church for a burial service. Coffins
are built to reflect the profession of the deceased. After the service, the
body is taking to the graveyard for burial
Mourners are cladded in red, black
and white garments depending on the age and culture and beliefs of the people.
After the burial, the people head striate
to the funeral grounds for the final funeral rites. In the Akans especially the
Asantes this is done in the late
afternoon. A photo of the deceased is placed in the middle of the gathering for
those who did not know the deceased to have an idea of what he or she looked like.
On the funeral grounds, friends
and family make donations. The donations are to help offset or reduce the cost incurred as a result of the funeral. Receipts
are issued to those who make a donation and the amount announced publicly to
the hearing of all that are gathered.
At the funeral grounds, songs are
played to console and mourn.
During thanks given service on Sunday,
the family of the deceased dress in white and black. Sunday church service is
to thank God and the congregation for their support and prayers.
A day is set by the family to meet
and count their cost and the donations that came. This day could be the next
day which is a Monday. Profit or loss would be made. If there is profit it's shared
among the family to pay off their investment and a loss too is shared among the
family to pay. At this meetings, other matters are looked at and disputes settled.
FESTIVALS IN GHANA
Great Accra capital is Accra.
|
||
Festival
|
Celebrating Tribe/community
|
Date/month
|
Homowo
Festival
|
People
of the Ga Traditional area
|
August
|
Ngmayem
festival
|
People
of Dodowa
|
October
|
Asafotu-fiam
Festival
|
People
of Ada
|
July
|
Kpledjoo
Festival
|
People
of Tema
|
April
or march
|
Ashanti
Region with its capital being Kumasi
|
||
Akwasiade
festival
|
Asantis
in kwamasi
|
December
|
Kente
|
People
of Bonwire
|
January
|
Papa
festival
|
People
of Kumawu
|
March,
|
Yaa
Asantewaa festival
|
People
of Ejisu
|
August
|
Awukudae
festival
|
People
of Kumasi
|
September
|
Mmoa
Ni Nko festival
|
People
of Offinso
|
October
|
Nkyidwo
festival
|
People
of Essumeja
|
November
|
Volta
Region and its capital being Ho
|
||
Akpafu Rice Festival
|
People
of Akpafu
|
January
|
Fetish
festival
|
People
of Tafi-Atome
|
February
|
Nyigbla
festival
|
People of Dabala, in Agave district
|
February
|
Fievie
Kpor Legbaza festival
|
People
of Fievie - Dugame
|
March
|
Asikloe
festival
|
People
of Anfoega
|
March
|
Godigbeza
festival
|
People
of Aflao
|
April
|
People
of Afife, near Akatsi
|
May
|
|
Afadzato
Togbo Tsikeke festivals
|
People
of Liati-Wote
|
August
|
Agbeliza
festival
|
People of
Akatsi, Avenorpedo and Avenorpeme
|
August
|
Agbamevoza
festival
|
People
of Agotime Traditional Area
|
August
|
Afernorto
festival
|
People
of Mepe
|
August
|
Asogli
& Zendo festival
|
People
of Ho
|
September
|
Wli
falls festival
|
People
of Agoviefe, Afegame and Todzi
|
September
|
Yam
festivals
|
People
of Ho,Sokode, Abutia Klefe and Akrofu
|
September
|
Sasadu
festival
|
People
of Rotates between Saviefe, Akrofu, Sovie, Alavanyo
|
October
|
Velukusi
festival
|
People
of Ve-deme
|
October
|
Hogbetsotso
festival
|
People of
Anloga
|
November
|
Keta
Sometutuza festival
|
People
of Agbozume
|
November
|
Ayimagonu
festival
|
People
of Dofor Adidome
|
November
|
Dodoleglime
festival
|
People
of Ve traditional area
|
November
|
Kpalikpakpa
festival
|
People of
Wegbe Kpalime
|
November
|
Amu
festival
|
People of Vane
|
December
|
Gbidukor
festival
|
Rotates
between People of Hohoe and Peki
|
December
|
Zendo
Glimetotoza festival
|
People of
Kpeve, Tsohor and Klikor
|
November
|
Yam
festivals
|
People of
Anfoaga
|
December
|
Gbidukor
festival
|
People of Hohoe and Peki
|
December
|
Northern
Region and its capital is Tamale
|
||
Begum
festival
|
People
of Tamale, Walewale, throughout the region
|
January
|
Jintigi
Fire festival
|
People
of Larabanga, Domango, in Gonja
|
April
|
Beng
festival
|
People of Gonyo Kipo, near Bole
|
May
|
Somo
Damba, Naa Danba and Belkusi Damba festivals
|
People
of Tamale,Dagbon, Mamprugu,Gonja, Yendi, Mamprugui and Nanumba
|
July
or August
|
Central
Region and the capital is Cape coast.
|
||
Masquerading
festival
|
People
of Winneba
|
January
|
Edina
Bronya festival
|
People
of Elmina
|
January
|
Aboakyir
festival
|
People
of Winneba
|
May
|
Apiba
festival
|
People
of Senya Beraku
|
June
|
Edina
Bakatue festival
|
People
of Elmina
|
July.
|
Ahobaa Kese festival
|
People
of Abura
|
August
|
Panafest
festival
|
People
of Cape Coast & Elmina
|
August
|
Odambea
festival
|
People
of Saltpond
|
August
|
Akwambo
festival
|
September
|
|
Fetu
Afahye festival
|
People
of Cape Coast
|
September
|
Odwira
festival
|
People
of Jukwa
|
|
Eastern
Region with its capital in Koforidua
|
||
Akuapem
Odwira festival
|
People
of Aburi, Akropong-Akwapim, Larteh, Amanorkrom, Ahwerase.
|
September
and October,
|
Ngmayem
festival
|
People
of Krobo towns of Manya and
Yilo,Odumase
|
March
and April
|
Dipo
festival
|
People
of Krobo Odumase and Somanya
|
April
|
Easter
|
People
of Kwahu
|
April
|
OhumKan
festival
|
People
of Akyem, Kyebi and other villages
|
June
or July.
|
Ahukan
festival
|
People
of Kibi
|
June
|
Gyenpren
festival
|
People
of Kwahu Tafo
|
June
|
Yam
festivals
|
People
of Aburi
|
August
|
OhumKyire festival
|
People
of Akyem, Abiriw (Akropong)
|
September
or October.
|
Akwantukese
festival
|
People
of New Juabeng
|
November
|
Kloyo
Sikplemi festival
|
People
of Somanya, Yilo Krobo
|
November
|
Western
Region with the capital in Sekondi- Takoradi
|
||
Inkronu
festival
|
People
of Supomu, Shama
|
January
|
Apomasu
festival
|
People
of Ntotoroso, Asutufi
|
January
|
fahye
Edie festival
|
People
of Wassa Akropong
|
January
|
Eddie
festival
|
People
of Wassa Amenfie
|
January
|
Asafua
festival
|
People
of Sekondi
|
June
|
Kundum
festival
|
People
of Sekondi and many nearby villages
|
Between
August and November
|
Alluole
festival
|
People
of Sefwi, Wiawso Dadieso, Busua
|
July
August
|
Odwira
festival
|
People
of Mpohor, Benso
|
August
|
Apatwa
festival
|
People
of Dixcove, near Busua
|
August
|
Edim
Kese festival
|
People of Sekondi
|
August
|
Upper
West Region with the capital in Wa
|
||
Kpini
Kylu festival
|
People of Wa
|
January
|
Paragbeile
festival
|
People
of Tumu
|
January
to February
|
Kyiu
Sung festival
|
Regionwide
|
March
|
Zumbenti
festival
|
People
of Kaleo
|
April
|
Wilaa
festival
|
People
of Takpo
|
April
|
Kalibi
festival
|
People
of Sankanka,
|
April
|
Don
festival
|
People
of Wa, Bawku and Bolgatanga
|
May
|
Dzimbi
festival
|
Regionwide
|
June
|
Damba
festival
|
People
of Wa
|
August
|
Kobina
festival
|
People
of Lawra
|
between
September and November
|
Kakube
festival
|
People
of Nandom
|
November
through the first week in December
|
Upper
East Region which has its capital in Bolgatanga
|
||
Tingana
festival
|
People
of Balungu, Wiakongo and Pwalugu in
the Tongo area
|
January
|
Fao
festival
|
People
of Paga, Navrongo, Chiana and Kayoro
areas
|
November
and February
|
Adaakoya
festival
|
People
of Bolgatanga and Zuarungu
|
Between
January and February
|
Begum
festival
|
People
of Bolgatanga
|
January,
|
Kuure
festival
|
People
of Zaare
|
January
or February
|
Kusebko
Larere
|
People
of Sumbrugu
|
January
|
Gologo,
festival
|
People
of Tenzug,
|
March,
early April
|
Damba
festival
|
People
of Dagbon or Walewale, Bawku
|
March
|
Kyiu
Sung festival
|
Rgionwide
|
March
|
Don
festival
|
People
of Wa, Bawku and Bolgatanga
|
May
|
Dzimbi
festival
|
Regionwide
|
June
|
Boaram
festival
|
People
of Bongo, Teng-zug,
|
Between
October and November
|
Daa
festival
|
People
of Boari Tongo
|
November
|
Samanpiid
festival
|
People
of Bawku
|
November
and December
|
Feok
|
People
of Sandema,
|
December
|
Brong
Ahafo Region with its capital in Suyani
|
||
Nkompo
festival
|
People
of Acherensua - Asutifi
|
January
|
Addae
Tuntum
|
People of
Kukuon - Asunafo
|
January
|
Addae
Kesee festival
|
People of
Ayomso - Asunafo
|
January
|
Apomasu
festival
|
People of
Ntotoroso - Asutufi
|
January
|
Donkyi
festival
|
People of
Mamase
|
May
|
Apoo
festival
|
People of
Techiman, Nkoranza and Wenchi
|
March
or April
|
Sungweh
festival
|
People of
Sampa - Jaman
|
July
|
Kwatie
festival
|
People of
Techiman and Wenchi
|
July
through September
|
Fordjour
festival
|
People of
Badu, in Wenchi
|
August
and September
|
Bayidie
festival
|
People of
Mo - Wenchi
|
August
|
Nkyifie
festival
|
People of
Prang
|
September
|
Adikanfo
festival
|
People of Hwidiem
|
September
|
Foyawoo
festival
|
People of Atebubu
|
October
|
Munufie
festival
|
People of
Nkoranza
|
October
|
Fofie
festival
|
People
of Nchiraa, near Wenchi
|
October
|
Sasabobirim
festival
|
People
of Awuah Domase, near Sunyani
|
November
|
Kwafie
festival
|
People
of Dormaa, Berekum and Nsoatre
|
November
and December
|
Religious Beliefs in Ghana
Before the arrival of western culture, Ghana then Gold Coast was purely a traditionalist state. Before the Bible
and Quran had taken predominance many human and animals lives had been lost due
to superstitious beliefs and rituals. When our luting salve masters came to
the Gold Coast they came along with the Gospel of Christ teaching and baptizing many unto repentance
and salvation. The Muslims came in through the north, forceful initiating the people. As time elapsed the
good old traditional religion gradually became infamous and non-appetizing.
Ghana is a very high Religious tolerant
country with everyone having the freedom to exercise their beliefs.
Today in Ghana Christianity is
the main religion, about 72% of the citizenry being members of the various
Christian denominations in the country. About 17.6% of the population being
members of the Islamic religion. Majority of the Muslims are in the north with
a few in the Zongos of Kumasi and Accra making it the second-largest religious
group in the country. Islamic religion entered into Ghana in the 15th century through commercial activities in the northern part of the country. The
culture and religious practices of Muslims in Ghana are similar to those of
other Muslims around the world. They believe in the Qur'an and the five pillars
of Islam and also observe Islamic festivals.
A number are still holding on to
the traditional beliefs, believing in spirits and smaller gods who inhabit the
natural world like gods who live in streams, rivers, mountains, and forests. These
places are considered sacred. They also believe in ancestral spirits and a host
of other spirts. Ancestors are the most significant spiritual force and they are
called upon and prayed too. Ancestors are considered the immediate link between
the living world and the spiritual world.
In Ghana Presbyterians and
Methodist missionaries were the ones who laid the foundation for Christianity in the 19th century.
Christianity has grown rapidly in
the country with Pentecostal Protestants forming majority and they dominant the
religion in Ghana with 28.3% and non-Pentecostal
Anglicans, Presbyterians and Protestant Methodists make up 18.4%.Catholic
Christians make up 13.1%. While 11.4% of
the population belong to the Latter-day Saints, Seventh-day Adventists,
Baptists and Lutherans