Gap for Grumpies Destination - Ghana
Ghana, reputed to be the friendliest country on the planet, sits on the Gulf of Guinea, at the base of the ‘skull’ of Africa. A beautiful country with a tropical climate and rich cultural identity it is offer visitors many diverse attractions and experiences.
Known under British rule, as the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first African nation to achieve independence from colonial rule, in 1957. Today Ghana, a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations (with an elected president, John Kufuor) is more stable than most other African nations and is regarded with respect by both the developed and developing world. However the country remains impoverished, particularly in rural areas, as you move north from the southern coastal capital of Accra.
Ghana, named after the ancient empire of Ghana by the Ashanti people, who built the kingdom first on gold, and later on cocoa and banana plantations, has a rich cultural heritage. Whilst English is the majority official language, there are over 100 ethno-linguistic groups and there is a long history of African craft, art, music and dance echoing the diversity and symbolism in this varied ethnic and tribal culture. Wooden crafts including stools (considered sacred by many) and masks are beautifully crafted. Particularly famous is the Kente cloth, woven by the Ashanti people, with its distinctive basket-weave pattern, originally worn only by royalty and still revered as a symbol of respect and status today.
Visitors are greeted by extraordinary scenic beauty and a warm welcome from the people, who are very respectful and friendly and will appreciate your mastery of their handshake. Go to shake hands with a loose grip, both people then run their index fingers down each others and then finish by snapping each others index fingers, it takes a little practice!
The colourful culture and friendly people are complemented by a landscape that is both exciting and varied, with historical monuments and diverse natural attractions. Ghana has monuments and castles, beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests, incredible waterfalls, rivers, forests, wild savannahs and national parks.
Gap for Grumpies’ parent company, Madventurer, is well established and supported in Ghana and you will be warmly received wherever you go. Our founder John Lawler, following very successful volunteering in 1999, was made Chief Torgbui Mottey I in Shia, a community in the Volta Region, in recognition of his efforts. This experience inspired him to continue to assist developing communities and volunteers alike, in Ghana and in other parts of the developing world
What can I do in Ghana?
Community Development Project in Ghana
Holiday trip in Ghana
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Destinations Homepage
About Ghana
Capital City
Accra
Population
19.7 million
Language
English (official), indigenous languages including Akan, Ga, Twi and Ewe
Greeting
“Akwaaba!”
Religion
Christian 63% Muslim 16% Indigenous 21%
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi
Climate
Tropical
Price of a bus ride
15p
Price of a beer
51p
Did you know that Ghana’s Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world.
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