COUNTRY INFORMATION
Ghana
The republic of Ghana lies almost in the center of the countries along the Gulf of Guinea, on the West African coasts. Its southern coast extends between latitudes 4 1/2 North of Cape three points and 6 1/2 Northern the extreme east and is thus not far from the equator from the coast, the country extends inland to about latitude 11 north covering a distance of 672 kilometers from south to north. The distance across the widest part from east to west measures 536 kilometers. To east of Ghana lies the republic of Togo, beyond which are Benin and Nigeria. On the west is La Cote d'Ivoire and on the north is Burkina Faso.
The population of Ghana stands at 18,845, 265 and above. The population densities are high in urban centers
Ghana has a tropical climate with moderate temperatures ranging between 21oc - 32oc (70-90) with intermediate breeze and sunshine. There are two seasons in Ghana (Raining season which starts from March to August) and (Dry Season from October-January).
The rainfall pattern in Ghana varies from North to South with an average of 2,020mm.
Ghanaians are peaceful, friendly and welcoming people with blends of both modern and traditional lifestyles. Its wide valleys, rural villages, low-lying coastal plains and thick rainforests resound with the beat of traditional rituals.
RELIGION
Ghana is a religious nation with the following breakdown of religious denominations:
* Christianity - 84.6% (This comprise both Pentecostal, Charismatic and Orthodox churches)
* African Traditional Religion - 8.5%
* Islam -15.6%
* Other Regions - 8.5%
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Ghana has an elaborate tourist industry with a land endowed with rich natural resources. Each of the ten regions of the country has its own unique tourist sites.
The land of Ghana provides many habitats for distinctive wildlife ranging from the coastal plains, tropical rainforest, and grasslands.
The landscape of Ghana is undulating and it comprises of Rivers, Hills, Mountains, Ridges, Plains, and Waterfalls.
FESTIVALS
In the traditional Ghanaian society, a number of festivals are celebrated as great religious and social ceremonies. Generally, festivals are staged according to the traditional cultural calendars. They are mainly free for visitors and indigenes.
Festivals are celebrated for several reasons. For instance, the activities of festivals are usually intended to strengthen the social bound that binds the members of the community or the kin group together.
Another vital role festival play is to provide opportunities for the collection and renewal of Arts as a form that the community experiences or as an expression of group consciousness. For this reason, the programs of festivals are arranged in such a way so as to march with the major events in which artistic impressions are given full scope. Examples of festivals are traditional drumming and dancing, music, acrobatic displays, and durbar of chiefs. A list of festivals and their locations are shown on the table below
SECURITY
Ghana is a safe tourist destination. However volunteers are advised to avoid giving their addresses and phone numbers to people they meet casually on the streets.
Do not carry large sum of money on you when going to work or shop. You should avoid loitering on beaches, in town (especially late nights) and unsafe areas all alone. Avoid going out by yourself during your first week.
