Skip to Main Content

Ghana 2014

Ghana

Elmina Castle, Ghana

Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, was the first trading post established on the Gulf of Guinea. The castle became one of the most infamous stops on the Atlantic slave route.
Today it is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. As tourists explore the slave dungeons of Elmina, modern life hums just outside the castle’s “Door of No Return.” Fishermen repair their nets, children play soccer, and women sell the daily catch. Gold has recently been discovered on these beaches, and soon, oil will be extracted offshore. Once again the port will be a source of wealth and of controversy.
Photo © 2009 Mary Crave

Republic of Ghana
Western Africa

Area 238,533 km2 (RANK 82)

Arable 17.5%

Capital Accra (2.3M)

Population 24,652,402 (103/km2)

Literacy 67%

Life expectancy 61 yrs

HIV/AIDS 1.8% (260,000 adults)

In poverty 29%

Military 1.7% of GDP (RANK 88 of 195)

Languages English, Asante, Ewe, Fante, Boron, Dagomba, Dangme, Dagarte, Akyem, Ga, Akuapem, others

Religions Christian 69%, Muslim 16%, traditional 9%, none 6%

Gov’t Constitutional Democracy

GDP/capita $3,100

Agriculture cocoa, rice, cassava, peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas, timber

Industry mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial shipbuilding

PCVs 1961-present, current 149, TTD 4,278, education, environment, agriculture, health

Adult Books

Bright Lights, No CityBright Lights, No City
by Max Alexander, 2012

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher:Hyperion; 1St Edition edition (July 17, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1401324179

Book Description
A humorous, insightful and inspiring narrative of adventures and misadventures while running an enterprise to provide battery-operated equipment to remote villages.

Kids' Books

The Spider Weaver: A Legend of Kente Cloth
by Margaret Musgrove (Author) and Julia Cairns (Illustrator)

Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0590987875
Age Range: 4+ years
Publisher: Blue Sky Press, 2001

Films

Film: The Perfect Picture
Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso (2009)

Film: The Destiny of Lesser Animals
Director: Deron Albright (2011)

Documentary: Inspired Thumbs
Director: Abraham Eguare (2012)

Music

African Brothers Band (old school High Life): Agatha

Nana Kwame Ampadu: Kofi Nkrabea

Koji Antwi: http://youtu.be/4Adkx3OV4l8

Focus Word

Focus Word for 2014 - "Home"

Twi: efie (eh-fee-ay)
Dagbani: yinya (yin-nah)
Hausa: gidah (gee-dah)
Ga: shia (she-ah)

Copyright © Julie Olsen

Become a Member

Join RPCVs of Wisconsin - Madison to stay connected and support Peace Corps community initiatives! 

 

SIGN UP

       
 

  Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison is a public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Its EIN is 39-1669348. It is also an affiliate group of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).


NPCA champions lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals by connecting, engaging and promoting its members and affiliate groups as they continue to make a difference in communities in the U.S. and abroad. NPCA is also dedicated to advocating for, contributing to, and supporting the betterment of the Peace Corps. Visit NPCA to learn more