Ghana-Facts

• Asante 15%
• Ewe 13%
• Fante 10%
• Boron (Brong) 5%
• Dagomba 5%
• Dangme 5%
• Dagarte (Dagaba) 4%
• Akyem 3%
• Ga 3%
• Akuapem 3%
• Other 36% (includes English (official commercial language))

• Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1, %Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%)
• Muslim 15.9%
• Traditional 8.5%
• Other 0.7%
• None 6.1%

History

Ghana (formerly known as the Gold Coast) became sub-Saharan Africa’s first country to gain independence in 1957. Between 1957 and 1966, when Ghana was overthrown in a coup d’tat, the country was lead by their founding president, Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana was then led my many military despots, and tried different ways to establish democracy, but military takeovers thwarted each attempt. In 1981, Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings took power, and banned political parties. He put into action a new constitution, and established on democracy. In 1992 Rawlings was elected president, and held a second term starting in 1996. John Kufuor served the next two terms as president. In 2009, marking the second peaceful transfer of power in Ghana, and John Atta Mills took over the presidency. Because of this success, Ghana is recognized as a leader in African democracy.

Demographics

Ghana is home to some of the world’s most helpful and friendly people, according to past study abroad students. If it is in their means, Ghanaians will help foreign students, volunteers and travelers acquire what they need or arrive where they need to be. The most highly populated area in Ghana is the capital city, Accra and the surrounding area, because it is economically productive. All of the country's mining centers, timber-producing deciduous forests, and cocoa-growing lands are located between the cities of Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi. Study abroad students will most likely find themselves in this region at the University of Ghana.

The people of Ghana are of many ethnic groups, which allows international students, interns, and travelers many opportunities to experience diversity and culture that can be very different from the Western world. Ethnic groups like the Akan, Mole-Dagbon, Ewe, Ga-Dangm make up well over 70% of the population. Smaller groups like the Guan, Gurma, Gurunsi, MandÈ-Busanga, represent about 20%, and the remaining 10% are small tribes like the Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, and whites of mostly British descent, among others.

Geography

Ghana is located in Western Africa, and is a popular spot for study abroad programs, as well as international travel. It borders the Gulf of Guinea all along the 335-mile long southern coast, providing many beautiful, quiet beaches, a nice escape from city life in the capital, Accra. Ghana shares borders with Cote d'Ivoire to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to the west. In the early 1960’s the Akosombo Dam was built on the River Volta, which created Lake Volta, the world’s largest manmade lake.

Climate

Though relatively small (92,486 square miles/238,533 square km, or slightly smaller than Oregon) Ghana has a very diverse climate, due to its unique geography. If you’re in Ghana for a short stay, or for a few months for a volunteer or study abroad program, it’s going to be hot. The climate along the southern coast varies from warm and comparatively dry to the southeast to hot and humid in southwest. The land to the north is hot and dry, but experiences two rainy seasons from April to July, and from September to November.

The average temperature across Ghana is about 79-83F/26-30C, but can vary about 20F/7C degrees on either end. Lightweight, breathable clothing is best for this climate.