Cultural Info: Ghana

Did You Know...

The name 'Ghana" which originates from the late Ghana Empire in Mali means "warrior King". However, Ghana has been ranked as the most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index.

The 'Kente', a very colorful piece of fabric sown into a dress, originates from Western Ghana. The kente which means basket, because of its inter-woven nature, was worn just on important occasions by royals, however it has developed a casual use overtime.

Ghana is the world's second largest producer of Cocoa in the world. About 70 percent of the world's Cocoa is produced in West African countries where Ghana is located. Cocoa is the main export product for Ghana and that explains why images of cocoa is printed on the face of the Ghana Cedis notes.  

Dr Kwame Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana. He helped Ghana to attain Independence from their British colonial masters in march 1957, becoming the first African country to gain self-governance. Kwame Nkrumah's body is now preserved in a mausoleum downtown Accra,the capital of Ghana. 

The biggest artificial lake in the world, Lake Volta, is located in Ghana. It covers about 3.6% of Ghana's geographic area and also fuels the Akosombo Dam which supplies Ghana's electricity and also serves as a means of transport connecting Ghana's savanna to the coast.

Ghana happens to be the second largest producer of gold in Africa and the 10th largest exporter of gold in the world, that explains its former name, Gold Coast. The gold was a major attraction to European powers and was the main form of trade prior to the slave trade. The yellow in Ghana's flag symbolizes the gold the nation possesses. 

Hear From A Student

After reading all of these facts, you still have questions and want to hear from a former study abroad student what they experienced in Ghana? Check out this page with students reviews!



Page last modified January 24, 2020