Ghana = "Warrior King"
Perfect place to start with African experience for beginners (African training wheels)
One of 8 countries passing through Prime Meridian.
Capital: Accra
10 Regions
Akan/Ashanti majority = 50%
Regional Kings = symbolic, like Malaysian Sultans
Agbogbloshie = largest digital waste dump in the world.
Kejetia market, largest in Africa.
Lake Volta, world's largest manmade lake.
National Animal: Golden Eagle
2nd largest cocoa producer
2nd in Gold after South Africa
Kenaf fibers used for everythings, i.e. rope, bags, etc.
Food: Fufu (plantain powder), Jollof Rice (Nigerians dispute origin)
Lowest unemployment rate in Africa.
First European settlement in South Sub Saharan Africa by Portuguese, Fernao Gomes in 1400s.
1957, first Sub Saharan African country to be independent from European power. Liberia's independence in 1840s not quite considered true independence but more of a U.S. resettlement program.
Drive on the right side of road
75% Christians (protestants & pentecostals), 15% Muslims.
Language: English, Twi (Akan/Ashanti)
Ewe people area (East) language, originator of Voodoo. Indigenous to Togo.
Dagomba area (North), mostly Muslims. King Yakubu II had 30+ wives & 100+ children, killed in 2002, line of succession confused.
Ga-Adangbe (Southeast & mostly in Accra), great men/women boxers. Skilled at iconic coffin carpentry.
Ashanti (Central West), descended from Abyssinians (Ethiopians)
Custom:
Never shake hands or point or give gifts with the left.
Naming children example: Boy + day of birth (Saturday) name = Kwame.
Church day (Sundays) best dressed.
Hissing sounds to get attention.
Umbrella not popular, not even in rain.
Soccer
Notable People:
Kofi Annan (Former U.N. secretary general)
Idris Alba (Mother is Ghanian)
Friends: Nigeria (best frenemies), U.K. (largest community of Ghanian community in the world, NY in U.S. 2nd)