12 Interesting Facts About Ghana in You Probably Didn’t Know

– Interesting Facts about Ghana –

Facts About Ghana – Ghana is one of the countries in West Africa that is popularly known to have numerous centers of attraction. It will interest you to know that there are many things that you have not discovered about Ghana. This article has a list of 12 interesting facts about Ghana that will help enlighten you about the great country. Let’s begin!

1. Ghana’s Independence

In 1957, Ghana became the first self-governing country on the African continent under president Kwame Nkrumah. Their new flag incorporated the Pan African colors of red, yellow, green, and black. Many other African countries followed suit.

Their coat of arms was created to proudly display the black star, a symbol of Ghana’s emancipation. The national currency was changed from Pounds to Cedis.

Today Ghana’s president is Nana Akufo-Addo and a dollar will get you 5.39 Cedis, meaning that Ghana is an affordable location for most visitors.

2. The Capital of Ghana

Ghana’s port city of Accra is the commercial hub of the country. It is also Ghana’s most populous city and the seat of its government. The country’s oldest university, The University of Ghana, is located in the suburb of Legon.

Some points of interest in Accra for those on holiday in Ghana include its pure white sandy beaches, well-loved by surfers, bustling street markets – where you can shop for handicrafts – and the National Museum of Ghana, which is the perfect place to explore Ghana’s rich cultural history through ancient artifacts.

International visitors flying into Accra will stop off at Kotoka International Airport. Other important cities include Kumasi, in the forested Ashanti region, and Tamale, in the northern region. Both have international terminals.

3. Ghana is Ranked as the Most Peaceful Country

Another interesting fact about Ghana is that Ghana was ranked as Africa’s most peaceful country by the Global Peace Index. After independence, Ghana faced turbulent times with coups being a common phenomenon. Kwame Nkrumah was deposed through a military coup.

The last military ruler was Jerry Rawlings who ushered multi-party democracy in the 1990s. Thenceforth, Ghana has experienced one of the rarest and admirable stretches of peace in African history.

It is one of the few African countries to have persistently held credible elections and experienced a peaceful transition from one president to another.

It has spread these peace dividends to other parts of West Africa by mediating and bringing peace to conflict zones.

4. Major Languages in Ghana

Ghana, having been a British colony, was not spared from the effects of linguistic colonialism. The leftovers of this can be found in its ‘official’ language of business and instructions at school.

Besides English, there are several indigenous languages. The most widely spoken indigenous languages are Akan and Ewe.

5. Religion in Ghana

Today most Ghanaians self-identify as Christians. However, the native religion of the influential Ashanti Empire was a form of pantheism known as Akom, a Twi word meaning “to be hungry”. Many of the traditions of Akom are still very much alive today and are combined with Christian traditions.

The Akom cosmology centers around a creator god, most widely recognized by the name Nyame – who makes his home in the sky – and his wife, Asase Yaa, the Earth. Their wishes are carried out by spirit beings.

Relatives who have passed over are also part of this nonphysical realm. A favorite spirit of traditional Ghanaian storytellers is Anansi, a swindling spider, represented in Neil Gaiman’s novel, American Gods, which was recently made into a TV series.

6. Ghanaians Love soccer

Like most West African countries, football in Ghana attracts a fanatic following. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana is rivaled only by Cameroon (7 times) and Nigeria (6 times) in terms of Soccer World Cup appearances.

However, Ghana edges out Nigeria in terms of the best performance ever at the World Cup having reached Quarter Finals in the 2010 World Cup only to be fraudulently edged out by Uruguay, which scored an equalizer by handball.

Football is Ghana’s largest talent export. Many Ghanaian players do European football scenes as contract players with many European football clubs.

Some of Ghana’s legendary players include Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah, Samuel Kuffour, Michael Essien, and Karim Abdul Razak, among others.

 7. Major Food in Ghana

You will find tomato-based stews with complex flavors throughout Ghana. The stews usually contain a type of marine or freshwater fish and are eaten with a dough, which is used to scoop up the fish and soak up the fragrant sauce.

The dough, sometimes called fufu or akpu, is made from any type of starch, including cassava, plantain, yam, maize, millet, sorghum, potatoes, or cocoyams.

Another staple of Ghanaian cuisine is jollof rice: a kind of biryani flavored, with tomatoes and chili.

Peanuts are often used to flavor stews and garnish dishes. You’ll also find taro leaves and okra in many dishes.

Street food is a beloved Ghanaian custom, so be sure to buy a few takeaway meals in the market when you visit.

8. Ghanian Fashion Sense

The Ashanti Empire was incredibly influential in shaping the culture of modern Ghana, and fashion is no exception. Kente cloth, the fabric worn by Ashanti royalty, is still a point of national pride.

Folklore tells of two boys exploring the jungle, being taught by Anansi, the spider spirit, how to weave the sacred fabric made from cotton and silk.

It is created using a style of basket weaving to create distinctive blocks of brightly colored stripes. Each color has a unique meaning and was customarily woven to deliver specific powers to a certain person or for a specific occasion. Today, you can buy kente cloth in just about any market throughout Ghana.

Ashanti kings were also known for wearing the gold they grew rich trading in. This was fashioned into necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

The Ghana braid, an incredibly versatile, yet protective and now very trendy braided hairstyle, originated here.

Modern Ghanaians wear a mix of Western and traditional clothing but remain advocates of brightly colored, boldly patterned fabrics.

9. Poisonous Snakes are Native to Ghana

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. This is another interesting fact about Ghana.

There are many myths associated with the ‘wicked’ power of snakes, including the famous myth in the Garden of Eden. Africans also have many myths regarding snakes which are mostly kept as pets by the witch.

Nonetheless, regardless of the myths, snakes are highly versatile animals. Ghana is home to some of the biggest, longest, powerful, and most venomous snakes.

These include cobras which are famed for their high-speed movement with a standing head position. Also in the wilderness of Ghana includes the dangerous puff udder which is claimed to be capable of throwing venom at its targets over a dozen feet ahead.

Pythons too have sanctuary in Ghana. Pythons can strangle and swallow an entire antelope, goat, and other similar-sized herbivores.

10. Ghana has the Largest Market in West Africa

It is called the Kejetia Market, and it’s located in Kumasi, the Ashanti region’s capital. Kumasi is the famous capital of the Ashanti Kingdom about 100 miles north of Accra, Ghana’s capital city.

Kumasi is famous for its ancient history as a gold trade center. Kejetia Market is well-known for its plenty of gold and diamond jewelry. Apart from jewelry, the famous Ashanti Kente traditional clothing fabric dots most of its garment shops.

Most tourists are attracted to the Kejetia Market due to the ability to have an interactive experience with locals in a busy market yet be able to find and buy authentic cultural artifacts.

With almost 50,000 stores concentrated in one area, you are definitely spoilt for variety in your shopping experience.

11. How Ghanaians Name Their Children

The first names of children of Akan tribes like the Fante and Ashanti are based on the day of the week on which they were born.

The day on which you are born, and therefore your name, is said to influence aspects such as your spiritual and professional path, and your personality.

12. Ghanian Coffins are Unique

If you’re ever in Accra, you’re likely to spot a huge fish or airplane sculpture traveling down a side street on the shoulders of several gentlemen. You might be surprised to learn that these detailed wooden carvings are not only artworks, they are also coffins.

The custom of creating elaborate coffins for persons of prominence originates from the Ghana people’s belief that life carries on after death. The theme for the coffin is usually based on the person’s vocation, and the goal is to make a good impression once the deceased gets to the other side.

If you are lucky enough to spot one, take note of the workmanship. These are truly works of art that take more than a month to complete.

The above is some of the interesting facts about Ghana that you need to know just in case there are any of the above facts that you were not aware of. If you are a Ghanaian, you have every reason to be proud of your country. Ghana is indeed amazing. 

CSN Team.