Begin Your Journey to Ghana
With a year-round average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (85 F), Ghana
is home to a dramatic tropical landscape. Villages are nestled within the
dense rainforests and tropical savannas, and natural heritage continues to
be an important part of daily life.
Although Ghana is slowly developing, several National Parks continue to protect
the land from further exploitation. The two most famous are the rainforests
of Kakum and the expansive savanna of Mole, home to the only National Park
for large animals. However, Ghana’s dramatic scenery was not always
an asset to the native Ashanti people.
Settlements along the Ghanaian coast are believed to date back approximately
40,000 years. Yet it was only during the late 15th century that European powers
began arriving and Ghana’s recorded history began. The Portuguese were
the first to arrive in the resource-rich land of Ghana. They were amazed to
find that precious gold ore draped the Ashanti kings and in their lust for
riches, quickly constructed forts and castles that were used as trading outposts
for the exportation of ivory, gold, and other minerals. Recently, UNESCO recognized
over 30 forts and castles that still line the Ghanaian coast as World Heritage
Monuments.
Yet, despite its high price, it was soon discovered that gold was not Ghana’s
most profitable commodity. During the slave trade approximately 10,000 slaves
were shipped out of the country each year. The tragic slave trade had devastating
effects on the local communities.
On March 2, 1957, Ghana—the name chosen by Nkrumah after the first great
empire in West Africa—was the first African colony to claim independence.
For Ghana, it was the beginning of almost 25 years of economic decline coupled
with six corrupt and incompetent governments, five of them military.
Yet, despite its brutal history, Ghana retains a strong sense of culture and individuality. Although Ghana has the highest percentage of Christians
in West Africa, the belief in traditional values is still extremely common.
Cultural traditions and tribal life are very much an important aspect of Ghanaian
life. Family ceremonies mark important events such as puberty, marriage and
death, while spectacular tribal festivals take place during the celebration
of particular seasons.
While Ghanaians are still a conservative people, their warmth, hospitality
and eagerness to overcome a history of repression is astounding. Freedom from
Hunger’s Credit with Education and Malaria Initiative work
to give over 20,000 women the education and loan support they need to increase
the nutritional security and health of their families and communities.
Ghana 
