Culture of Ghana


Ghana is a country of 33.48 million people and many native groups, such as:
English is the official language, with the indigenous Twi of the Ashantis, the Fante language, and the Akwapem language, Frafra, Dangme, Ga, Dagbani, Mampruli, Gonja, and Ewe also having official status, and being taught in schools as indigenous languages in the respective areas where they are predominant.

People

Akans

The Akan people primarily live in Ghana, parts of Ivory Coast, and Togo. They are one of the few matrilineal societies in West Africa. The Akan matrilineal system continues to be economically and politically important. Each lineage controlled the land farmed by its members, functioned as a religious unit in the veneration of its ancestors, supervised marriages, and settled internal disputes among its members.
Once renowned for their splendor and wealth, the Akan kings retained dignitary status after colonization. Celebration of the Akan kings lives on in the tradition of the Golden Stool. The Akan are noted for their expertise in several forms of craftwork, particularly their weaving, wood carving, ceramics, fertility dolls, metallurgy, and kente cloth). Traditional kente cloth is woven outdoors, exclusively by men, in complex patterns of bright, narrow strips. The manufacturing of many Akan crafts is restricted to male specialists. Pottery-making is the only craft that is primarily a female activity; men usually fashion pots or pipes depicting anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures.
The various Akan groups speak various dialects of the Akan language, a language rich in proverbs, the use of proverbs is considered a sign of wisdom. Euphemisms are also very common, especially concerning events connected with death.
The coastal Akans were the first to have relations with Europeans during the "Scramble for Africa". As a result of this long association, these groups absorbed aspects of British culture and language. For example, it became customary among these peoples to adopt British surnames. The coastal Akans live predominantly in the Central Region and Western Region of Akanland.

Ga-Adangbe

The Ga-Adangbe people or simply Ga people inhabit the Greater Accra Region. The Ga-Adangde have different but common languages, Ga, Krobo, Sh3, Osudoko, Shai, Gbugblaa, and Ada, Ningo to mention a few. The Adangbe inhabit the eastern plain, while the Ga groups occupy the western portions of the Accra coastlands. Both languages are derived from a common root language, and modern Ga and Adangbe languages are still similar today.
Despite the archeological evidence that proto-Ga-Adangbe-speakers relied on millet and yam cultivation, the modern Ga-Adangbe reside in what used to be fishing communities, and more than 75 percent of the Ga-Adangbe live in urban centers. The presence of major industrial, commercial, and governmental institutions in the city and towns, as well as the increasing migration of other people into the area, has not prevented the Ga people from maintaining aspects of their traditional culture, even though Twi is an important immigrant language in their lands.

Dagomba

The Dagomba speak the Dagbani language and live in the Kingdom of Dagbon. The kingdom is the earliest in Ghana. For centuries, the area inhabited by Dagomba peoples has been the scene of movements of people engaged in conquest, expansion, and north-south and east-west trade. Many terms from Arabic, Hausa, and Dyula are seen in the Dagbani language, due to the importance of trans-saharan trade and West African trade and the historic impact that the Islamic religion has had in the area.

Ewé

The Ewe people occupy southeastern Ghana and parts of neighboring Togo and Benin. The Ewe follow a patrilineal structure, meaning that the founder of a community becomes chief and is usually succeeded by his paternal relatives. Ewe religion is organized around a creator or deity, Mawu, and over 600 other deities. The Ewe are more traditionally inclined in terms of religion and belief. Many village celebrations and ceremonies take place in honor of one or more deities.
Coastal Ewe depend on the fishing trade, while inland Ewe are usually farmers and keep livestock. The local variations in economic activities have led to craft specialization. The Ewe also weave kente cloth, often in geometrical patterns and symbolic designs that have been handed down through the ages.

Role and status of women

Women in pre-modern society were seen as bearers of children, retailers of fish, and farmers. Traditionally, women's childbearing abilities were perceived as a way for lineage ancestors to be reborn. In pre-colonial times, polygamy was encouraged, especially by wealthy men. In patrilineal societies, dowry received from marrying off daughters was traditionally seen as an acknowledgment to parents for raising their daughters well. In the last couple of decades, female gender roles have evolved tremendously. Ghanaian women now account for 43.1% of the working class in Ghana. Females have climbed to the upper leadership echelons of politics, career, business, and all other sectors. Notable political personalities include Joyce Bamford-Addo, Georgina Theodora Wood as well as multiple past and current political office holders.

Festival

The Akwasidae Festival is celebrated by the Ashanti people and chiefs in Ashanti, as well as the Ashanti diaspora. The festival is celebrated on a Sunday, once every six weeks.
The Panafest celebrates roots, and African Americans with roots from the region, often visit and celebrate their heritage.
Ashanti Yam Festival
is observed for five days starting with a Tuesday, as dictated by the local chief priest. It marks the first harvest of yams during autumn, after the monsoon season. This festival has both religious and economic significance. Religiously, the festival is used to thank the gods and the ancestors for the new harvest and to traditionally outdoor the new yam.
The Damba festival is celebrated by the people of Dagbon and other ethnic groups in Ghana. During this festival, there is a colorful and vibrant display of the Ghanaian Smock and other traditional dresses.
Also, the Fire festival is celebrated during the first month of the Dagomba lunar calendar. This festival takes place at night and involves fire procession and drumming and dancing to war songs.
When the first yam tubers are harvested, the people of Dagbon mark a ceremony to declare the opening of the yam season.

Music

There are three distinct types of music: ethnic or traditional music, normally played during festivals and at funerals; "highlife" music, which is a blend of traditional and 'imported' music; and choral music, which is performed in concert halls, churches, schools, and colleges.°

Dance

Each ethnic group has its traditional dances, with specific dances for different occasions. Some of these specific dances are meant for funerals, celebrations, storytelling, praise, and worship. There are various dances in Ghana performed by the sixteen regions across the country, most frequently during festivals and occasions such as funerals, marriage ceremonies, etc. These dances are performed to entertain and educate people.. Other dances in Ghana include Kpanlogo performed by the Gas, Agbadza by the Ewes, Adowa by the Akans, Bambaya by the Northeners, Patsa and Dbahsh by the Ga-Adangbes, and many others. Many dances have originated from Ghana and its ethnic groups.

Customs

Funerals and libations are poured. African time is practiced. Sexuality is not discussed in Ghana. Being Left handed is frowned upon.

Superstition

Black magic belief is strong. Ghanaian churches openly promote the idea that disease and misfortune can be caused by supernatural forces. Superstition is so strong women who are accused of witchcraft are banished to Witch camps.

Religion

Ghana is a highly religious country where evangelical prophets are extremely popular.

Health

Traditional customs and contemporary medical methods are combined to create Ghana's health culture. For a variety of illnesses, many Ghanaians turn to traditional medicine, frequently seeking the aid of herbalists and spiritual healers. This is especially true in rural areas, where there may be limited access to official healthcare facilities. But as the value of contemporary medicine is increasingly acknowledged, more people are using public health services, particularly for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Although the Ghanaian government has made progress in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and access, issues like a lack of funding, a shortage of medical staff, and disparities in healthcare quality across regions still exist.

Mental health

Ghana faces many obstacles when it comes to mental health, one of which is the stigma associated with mental illness, which deters many people from getting treatment. There are few facilities for people in need of mental health services, and they are frequently concentrated in urban areas. Nevertheless, due to local and global advocacy, there is a slow movement to acknowledge mental health as an essential part of overall well-being. To address mental health issues, community involvement, and education are essential because they demystify mental illnesses and foster acceptance. The goal of recent efforts has been to incorporate mental health services into primary healthcare, highlighting the necessity of a more comprehensive approach to health that takes into account both physical and mental well-being.