Known as being all of Africa in one location, Ghana is renowned for its varied environments, diverse traditions, age-old customs, and warm, welcoming people. Ghana has its own identity and quirks different from the lifestyle you are familiar with. The Ghanaian population is comprised of many ethnic groups and tribes each of which has its own unique culture and customs.
The Ghanaian people are largely peaceful and
respectful of one another, and towards others. Expect to be treated with kindness
by friendly locals when you show them the same courtesy. With a diverse array
of environments, unique styles of music, dance, and fantastic, flavorful
cuisine, there is much to know about Ghana. Below you will find more unique
information about Ghana and its customs:
1.
Hissing -Wherever you’re
from, you’ll understand the ways in which local people from your hometown will
try to get your attention, whether by saying ‘excuse me’, calling out,
whistling or otherwise. In Ghana, the most common way of getting the attention of
another person is by hissing at them. To visitors, the loud hissing noise can
be alarming unless you know what it means. In some cultures, hissing is a sound
of disapproval, but in Ghana it simply means that somebody wants to talk.
It’s not uncommon to hear
hissing in the street, at the market and even in the middle of a restaurant
when somebody wants the waiter’s attention, and because the sound carries well,
it is usually successful in achieving its end. After a while, you may start
using this means of communication yourself; at first it might seem quite
strange but you’ll soon discover it is the most accepted and effective way of
communicating with the Ghanaians you’ll meet.
2. Bilingual-Although the national language
of Ghana is English, the country has at least 79 identified languages in total.
Many of which are tribal tongues or dialects originating in the different
regions according to the diverse ethnic groups that occupy each area. English
became Ghana’s national language after colonization by Great Britain in the
early 1900s and the majority of Ghanaians speak English as well as at least one
other language – usually one of the tribal dialects.
While most Ghanaians are bilingual, many know three
languages and some even more than that! Although 79 languages have been
identified, it is thought there are more than 200 tongues in total in Ghana.
The most common tribal language is Akan although many of the tribal tongues are
sub-groups of other local languages, thus easily understood among tribe
members.
3. Cedi
-The use of
shells as monetary currency is not unusual historically; in Western Africa,
shell money - known as cowry - was legal tender until the middle of the 19th
century. The Ghanaian currency cedi is named after the Fante word meaning cowry
shell, which was first introduced as currency in Africa during the 14th
century. Cowry shells belong to a species of sea snails with porcelain-like
shells; they are thought to have been introduced to Africa through trade with
merchants from Arabia, at a time when the slave trade was at its height.
The value of the shells was greater in Ghana and
other African nations than the supplying regions, which made trade in cowries
lucrative and the use of shells as currency quickly became widespread. Modern
coins were produced and used in Ghana from the late 1700s but cowries were also
accepted as currency until 1901. The currency unit in Ghana is called the cedi.
The word “cedi” comes from a local word meaning a cowry shell. Cowry shells
(from sea snails) were once used as money in Ghana.
4. Clay-In Ghana, it is commonplace for
many pregnant women to supplement their regular diet with clay, mined from the
ground. This may sound peculiar to foreigners but it is an aspect of the local
culture in Ghana, where many women report craving clay in the same way as
others might crave a tub of ice cream or a jar of pickled onions. Usually, the
white clay called ayelo or shile is consumed. This mineral-rich clay is dug up,
processed and sold at local markets throughout Ghana.
Sellers of the clay extol the benefits of clay
consumption, which is reputedly an ancient remedy for pregnancy-related nausea.
Other reputed benefits include the reversal of heart and respiratory
conditions. Because clay is mined from the ground, it contains minerals and,
similarly, traces of metal oxides. The jury is out on the proclaimed health
benefits of eating clay, with concerns raised about the cleanliness of the
substance and the effects it could have on the digestive system, but this
Ghanaian tradition is centuries old and showing no signs of stopping.
5. Days
of the week-Ghana’s largest
ethnic group, the Akan, traditionally name their children after the day of the
week they were born on. Many Ghanaians are descended from the Akan tribe and so
the custom has remained popular to this day, with a specific male and female
name for each day. These day names are bestowed upon a child along with other
ancestral and religious names. The names and their derivatives not only refer
to the day of the week, but also to characteristics believed to go along with
each day.
According to Ghanaian tradition, Monday’s child is
nurturing and dependable, while Tuesday’s child is a problem-solver with a
balanced attitude. Ghanaians usually have a number of names, often including an
English or Christian name and a middle name that may refer to their order of
birth or whether they are a twin. Commonly, Ghanaians’ middle names will be
inherited from another family member.
6. Greenwich
Mean Time-When you
volunteer in Ghana you’ll probably expect to have to get used to an entirely
new time zone but if you’re traveling from the UK you won’t have too much to
acclimatize to because Ghana – like London – uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
GMT is also used in Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand and
South Africa. Although Ghana was colonized by Great Britain in the late 1800s,
the nation proclaimed independence in 1957 but has remained under the GMT time
zone.
Greenwich Mean Time is also known as Greenwich
Meridian Time, dating back to 1884 when it was established because the Prime
Meridian (line of 0 degrees longitude) runs through Greenwich. Every 15 degrees
longitude is equal to an hour of time, making it possible to work out the time
anywhere on Earth if you know how many degrees east or west of Greenwich the
destination is.
7. Lizards-If you’re volunteering in Ghana
and traveling from Canada, you’ll know just how common squirrels are back home.
Likewise, if you’re traveling from the United Kingdom, you’ll be familiar with
the ever-prevalent pigeons that are so common they blend in with the
background. In Ghana, the most common creatures to be seen dotting the
sidewalks and scaling the walls are little green lizards – a far cry from the
furry or feathered critters you may be used to. There are all sorts of lizards,
big and small that live in the cities and further afield, causing no harm and
passing by generally unnoticed by locals.
Of course, from time to time, the lizards can enter
buildings, which can give visitors a bit of a fright. Geckos, monitor lizards
and many other species are common in Ghana; tiny house geckos can be found
scurrying through buildings while agama variants may be seen on walls and
ceilings, hunting insects that are attracted by the light. If you’re lucky, you
might also spot a slower-moving chameleon during your volunteer vacation.
8.
Obruni-Visitors to Ghana
are often referred to as obruni by the locals, which means foreigner. The term
is much used to describe visitors, especially white volunteers who are in the
minority in Ghana and easily recognizable. Obruni is a general term and not meant
to cause offence in any way. As an obruni in Ghana, you can expect to encounter
certain types of behavior, especially if you are very obviously from overseas.
There exist certain stereotypes in Ghana, where white foreigners are often
imagined to have lots of money. With this in mind, it’s worth being wise with
your money.
At the market,
hawkers may call out to you and try to sell you their wares; in Ghana, many
‘obruni’ don’t know the worth of goods and are unfamiliar with the local
currency – don’t be pressured into parting with your cash. Young children may
also come running over simply delighted by the novelty of your presence and
keen to find out more about you, while obruni women can also receive unwanted
attention from the locals. It’s best not to react to this harmless flirtation,
which is part of the culture.
9. Peaceful
-Some parts of
Africa are associated with crime and civil unrest; not Ghana. The West African
nation is among the continent’s most peaceful destinations, so much so that it
regularly features near the top of the Global Peace Index for Africa, above
most other countries. Many volunteers travel to Ghana to experience life in
Africa without the risks associated with other nations on the continent.
Ghanaian people are warm, welcoming and grateful for
the help of international volunteers. Ghana is also a tolerant and democratic
nation that prides itself on peaceful interactions with others. Despite being a
developing country, Ghana is moving with the times; religious freedom, an
uncensored media and democratic elections are just a few examples of the nation’s
efforts to maintain an ethos of harmony and peace.
10. Sachets-Ghana is a developing country
lacking in the basic provisions of many Western nations. More than 40 per cent
of the 25 million people living in Ghana do not have access to safe water
especially in the poor rural areas. For this reason, drinking water is usually
sold in bottles, or small pouches called sachets. The popularity of water
sachets is growing as a convenient way to enjoy a refreshing drink on the go.
Sachets of water are sold all over Ghana, from
coolers in the street, in shops down the sidewalks, alongside the motorways in
carts and by individual hawkers who appear anywhere traffic gathers. Sachets
usually contain 500 ml of water and can be discarded after use, making them
handy and less cumbersome than bottles to carry around. Just be careful they
don’t burst in your bag if you stock up.
·
A West African country bordering on the
Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is bounded by Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to
the north, Togo to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It compares
in size to Oregon, and its largest river is the Volta.
·
Children in Ghana begin two years of
kindergarten at age four. Then all children ages 6-12 attend six years of
elementary education. If families can afford it, children go on to secondary
education. Ghana’s school system is more advanced than many of its African
neighbors.
·
Ghana has a population of 25.5 million,
and a total area of 92,098 square miles.
·
Ghana has the largest market in West
Africa. It’s called Kejetia market and it’s located in Kumasi, the Ashanti
region’s capital. There you can find everything under the hot Ghanaian sun,
from local crafts — beads, cloth and sandals — to second-hand jeans and
clothing, and meats, fruit and vegetables.
·
Ghana was ranked as Africa’s most
peaceful country by the Global Peace Index.
·
Ghana was the first country in
sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence post-colonialism on March 6, 1957.
·
Ghanaians love soccer and built a large
soccer stadium in the capital of Accra. Soccer is the national sport.
·
Ghanaians speak over 40 languages
throughout its 10 regions. English is the official language, but most people
speak several languages as well.
·
In 1991, Ferdie Ato Adoboe of Ghana set
a world record by running 100 meters backwards in 13.6 seconds.
·
In 2007, oil was found off the coast of
Ghana. A daily production of 200,000 barrels, which could be achieved in about
five years after commencement of production, could give Ghana a total revenue
of approximately $1.6 billion yearly.
·
In Ghana there is a system of tribal
government in addition to the national government.
·
Kofi Annan is one of the most well-known
Ghanaians. He served as secretary-general of the United Nations from 1997-
2006.
·
Lake Volta, in the Volta region of the
country, is the world’s largest man-made lake. It’s 250 miles long and covers
3,283 square miles, or 3.6 percent of Ghana’s area.
·
Life expectancy in Ghana is 64 years
(men), 66 years (women)
·
Poisonous snakes such as the cobra and
puff adder are native to Ghana as are pythons, which don’t bite, but can
squeeze their victims to death.
·
The black star in Ghana’s flag was
adopted from legendary Pan African leader Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro
Improvement Association and African Communities League, which had the Black
Star Line Steamship company.
·
The Ghana Empire was built on trade in
salt and gold, which is why British merchants later called it the Gold Coast.
·
The name Ghana means warrior king and
harks back to the days of the Ghana Empire between the ninth and 13th centuries.
·
The traditional cloth of the Ghanaian
people is the bright and colorful kente cloth. In the north, the men wear loose
flowing clothes made of darker cloth.
·
There are six national parks and many
smaller nature reserves, which were set up to help protect Ghana’s wildlife.
There are over 650 butterfly species in the Kakum National Park, including the
giant swallowtails, which are nearly 8 inches across.
“Every country in the
world has its own culture and traditions that reflect the uniqueness of its
people, and Ghana is no exception. The West African nation is a prime target
for international volunteers looking to make a difference on the continent while
experiencing the best Africa has to offer.” (UVolunteer) [i]
[i] Sources used:
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