GHANA
(Takoradi)
Population
23.8 Million
Area (sq mi)
924,560
Area (sq km)
239,460
PORT BACKGROUND NOTES FOR TAKORADI, GHANA
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GHANA:
· Ghana is the size of the UK and slightly smaller than Oregon
· Ghana supplies most of the world’s cocoa
· There are over 50 languages and tribes within Ghana
· Among the Akan, or Ashanti and Fanti people of Ghana, affiliation within the clan
is through women and not men. Thus, mothers enjoy greater status than in other cultures.
· Ghana derived its name from the 10th Century Empire of Ghana which was actually located closer to the
Sahara than on the coast as the country of Ghana is today
· In the 1960's Ghana created one of the world's largest lakes, Lake Volta, when the hydroelectric dam
was built at Akosombo
PORT: The ship will dock in Takoradi, located in the Western region of Ghana. Always carry your shipboard ID, as
it will be required for returning to the port area.
REGION: Ghana is located in western Africa along the Gulf of Guinea and a few degrees north of the equator. The
country’s coastline consists of 334 mi (537 km) of low sandy shore and behind this are plains and scrubs which are
intersected by many streams and rivers. Many of these waterways are navigable by canoe. Extending north of the
shore is a tropical rainforest. Further north the country is covered by bush, park-like savanna and grassy plains.
Takoradi is the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's fourth largest city and an industrial and
commercial center. The chief industries are timber, plywood, shipbuilding and railroad repair. It lies on the main
railway lines to Accra and Kumasi. Sekondi-Takoradi are twin cities and are of both historical and cultural
importance to Ghana. The first deep seaport in Ghana is in Takoradi and is also very important for the country's
import and export industry.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Visitors to Ghana may become targets of pick-pockets, purse-snatchings and various
scams. Theft usually occurs in crowded markets, tourist attractions, beaches and parks so it is best to always be
aware of your surroundings and be careful. Try to travel in groups, avoid traveling at night and handle cash with
discretion. Avoid using credit cards when possible, as credit card fraud is increasing in the region. It is also advised
to avoid displaying and/or wearing jewelry. Be especially cautious when on the beach and do not visit any of the
beaches at night. It should be noted that victims who resist attackers run a high risk of serious injury.
For a more detailed analysis of safety and security in Ghana, please refer to the U.S. Consular Information
Sheet for Ghana which is posted on the ship.
HEALTH CONCERNS: Many diseases within Ghana are caused from insect bites. In order to prevent insect bites,
wear insect repellent with 30%-50% DEET. Another way to prevent being bitten is by wearing long sleeved shirts,
trousers and hats when outdoors. Incidence of Malaria is high in Western Africa; therefore, it is wise to take and
carry malaria medication with you. Other diseases within Ghana include dengue, filariasis and leishmaniasis.
Protection against insect bites is the best way of prevention from these diseases.
Always wash your hands with soap and water or use sanitary wipes before eating when in Ghana. Additionally, only
drink bottled or boiled water and/or carbonated beverages from a can or bottle. Tap water, fountain drinks and ice
should be avoided. Only eat food that has been fully cooked and avoid food purchased from street vendors and dairy
products that have not been pasteurized. The yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the country.
CLIMATE: Ghana’s climate is tropical. The climate varies throughout Ghana with the eastern coastal belt being
comparatively warm and dry; the southwest corner, hot and humid; and the north, hot and dry. Temperatures
generally range from 70ºF to 88ºF.
GOVERNMENT: The Republic of Ghana is a constitutional democracy and gained
independence from Great Britain on March 6, 1957; its constitution went into effect January 7,
1993. Ghana is divided into 10 regions. Political parties within the republic consist of the New
Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, Convention People's Party, People's National
Convention and others. John Atta Mills is the current president and John Mahama is the
vice president.
PRESIDENT OBAMA IN GHANA: In July 2009 President Obama made his first visit to an
African country as president of the United States. He chose Ghana. His visit is both historical
and monumental as he is the first African-American president to visit the African continent.
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan nation to receive independence. With its political stability,
President Obama views Ghana as a model of democracy.
While the president was in Ghana, he along with the first lady and their two daughters, visited Cape Coast Castle, a
former castle/dungeon used to hold slaves prior to their being sent to the Americas. SAS students will have an
opportunity to take this historic journey while in Ghana through the SAS field programs or independently.
PEOPLE: Ghana has a population of 23 million people who are mostly concentrated along the coast near Accra and
Kumasi. Ethnic groups in Ghana consist of the Akan, which include the Ashanti, Akyem and the Fanti; Ewe; Ga;
and Moshi-Dagomba people. Over 50 languages and dialects are spoken throughout Ghana.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language of Ghana. Other languages spoken within Ghana include Akan
(Asante Twi, Akwapim Twi, Akyem, and Fanti) 49%, Mole-Dagbani 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga-Adangbe 8%, Guan 4%
and others 10%.
RELIGION: Christianity (69%) is the most practiced religion in Ghana. Other religions include Islam (15.6%) and
traditional and indigenous beliefs (8.5%).
CURRENCY: The currency used in Ghana is called the cedi (C). Notes consist of C1000, C2000, C5000, C10, 000
and C20, 000, coins in denominations of C100, C200, C250 and C500. Cash can be exchanged at Barclays or
Standard Chartered banks with no commission. Foreign exchange (forex) bureaus are located throughout most of
Ghana’s major towns. These offer slightly better rates than banks. Generally only Visa and MasterCard are accepted
in most major hotels and travel agencies as forms of credit card payment.
ATMs: Barclays and Standard Chartered banks have ATM machines throughout the country.
BUSINESS HOURS: In Ghana businesses generally operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
with an hour for lunch. There is some variance among smaller shops, supermarkets and retail outlets; these
generally stay open later. Banks observe traditional working hours from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm. Some banks are
now starting to do business on Saturday, generally from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm.
TIPPING: Service charges are rarely added to restaurant bills. A 10% tip for quality service can be given to service
staff and tips generally only apply to the restaurant industry. Add about 10% for taxi fares. For other services, use
your discretion.
ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. This is not the U.S. standard. You will need a converter if you wish to
use small appliances such as hair dryers.
COMMUNICATIONS: Internet exists throughout major cities in Ghana. Connections are slow, but hotels usually
have faster service. Telephone service is relatively reliable and is available in all main towns and major hotels.
CLOTHING: Dress lightly in Ghana. Wearing lighter clothing will keep you cooler. As Ghanaians are rather
relaxed about clothing attire, trousers, shorts and t-shirts are acceptable for men. Women will likely want to wear
longer skirts and t-shirts. If visiting northern Ghana it may be more comfortable for women to keep their shoulders
covered and wear skirts below the knees as this region is mostly Muslim. It is advised to dress more conservatively
to avoid a certain degree of attention.
TRANSPORTATION: Independent travel outside of Takoradi can be very difficult as the country’s roads
infrastructure is not developed or well-maintained. Poor road conditions increase travel time greatly. If traveling
outside of the area, it is recommended that students travel with SAS field programs. Taxi services are very cheap and
can be taken either privately or shared with other passengers. Private taxis are chartered individually, while shared
taxis have a set route and pick up passengers along the way. Private taxis are not metered so prices should be
established prior to using the service; shared taxis have fixed rates. Aggressive drivers, poorly maintained vehicles,
and overloaded vehicles pose serious threats to road safety. The safety standards of the small private buses that
transit roads and highways are uncertain. Travelers are encouraged to consider this when making travel
arrangements. Ghana’s railway links Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi but the trains are much slower and aren’t any
cheaper than motorized transport. Buses link the major centers, including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast,
Tamale and Bolgatanga. Compared to other transport in the region buses are fairly reliable, though late departures
are very common.
ETIQUETTE & BEHAVIOR: If visiting northern Ghana, always use your right hand to pass or receive items or to
shake hands. It is highly offensive to use your left hand. Throughout Ghana use your right hand to eat if you are
eating with your fingers. Greetings in Ghana are more formal than they are in Western countries. When meeting or
speaking to someone for the first time, take the time to greet them with a friendly nature. Elderly people are also
highly respected in Ghana. Always ask to take photographs of people in Ghana. Should they refuse, graciously
accept their decision. Taking pictures of objects is fine, but it is best to ask others around you to avoid difficulties
and/or misunderstandings. Do not take pictures of government buildings, military sites or individuals in uniform.
FOOD: Ghanaian fare consists of simple foods combined with a variety of spices to make for a flavorful cuisine.
Rich stews accompanied by staple foods such as rice and yams make up the Ghanaian diet. A common Ghanaian
meal consists of starchy foods such as fufu (a mashed cassava, plantain or yam) and kenkey or banku (fermented
maize meal) combined with a sauce or stew. Various stews consist of okra, fish, bean leaf, forowe (fish and tomato),
plava (spinach with chicken or fish) and groundnut (peanut).
Another common dish in Ghana is jollof, which is fried rice cooked with red palm oil and served alongside chicken
or fish. This dish is commonly found in small restaurants that serve Ghanaian food known as chop bars. Other
notable dishes to try include red-red (rice and beans cooked in red palm oil), kalawole (cubed, fried, seasoned
plantains), titale (plantain fritters) and omu tuo, a dish served only on Sunday and consisting of mashed rice balls
with meat soup. Breads are also available in Ghana and options include sugar bread (soft and sweet), tea bread (not
quite as sweet) and the richer butter bread. Fruits and vegetables such as pineapples, coconuts and oranges are
widely available as well as chocolate for those who enjoy a little sweetness.
Sources: Bradt: Ghana, Lonely Planet: West Africa, The Rough Guides: West Africa, US Department of State
GHANA – A HISTORICAL GLIMPSE
Evidence and archaeological remains indicate the region of what is Ghana today had been inhabited since the early
Bronze Age circa 4000 BCE. Oral history suggests even earlier settlement with inhabitants migrating into central
Ghana from northern and eastern Africa. Ancient Ghana was described as one of the most organized states in West
Africa by 9th century Arab writer, Al Yaqubi (Library of Congress, 1994). The region’s economic and political
structures were well established and rulers were known for their “wealth in gold, the opulence of their courts, and
their warrior-hunting skills” (Library of Congress).
By the 13th century, commercial connections developed between ethnic groups in the eastern Volta region of Ghana
and the town of Jenné within the Malinese Empire. As trade continued to grow the Akan ethnic group moved along
trade routes and further south into the goldfields of the forest area of Ghana. New crops such as cassava, sorghum
and bananas from Southeast Asia and the New World further increased movement of the Akan people into southern
Ghana as these crops did very well in this region.
The modern Ghanaian population can trace its roots to the end of the 16th century by which time most ethnic groups
had fully settled into the region (Library of Congress). Descendents of those groups today include the Akan and
within this faction are the Ashanti, Akyem and the Fanti; other groups are the Ewe, Ga and Moshi-Dagomba. Of
these ethnic groups, the Ashanti Kingdom is noted as having the most comprehensive history and the most
influence within the region. Before the middle of the 17th century the Ashanti expanded their rule over
surrounding Akan groups, and under military ruler, Osei Tutu, subdued and incorporated these groups into its
confederation circa 1712-1717. Osei Tutu centralized government but allowed local chiefs and rulers to retain
power within their regions. They were also given seats on the Ashanti state council. The Ashanti ruled
successfully until the mid 19th century when the kingdom began to weaken militarily and politically (Salm &
Falola, 2002). Ghana was involved in a series of wars with the British from 1875-1901 and the kingdom
eventually fell to British colonization and was integrated into its Gold Coast colony (Adu Boahen, 2004).
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, western Africa was a highly developed region with political and economic
structures in place. It also had well established trade routes both within Africa and internationally. Trade with
Europe was dominated by Africans and most notably the Ashanti until colonization by the British. Trade included
natural as well as human resources and Africans, Arabs and Europeans were all involved in these trades.
SLAVERY AND GHANA
With over 10 million Africans enslaved and forced across the Atlantic Ocean, the European movement of African
slaves is the largest slave migration in history (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009). The trans-Atlantic slave trade
lasted from the 16th to the 19th century and as noted by Klein (1999),
…was one of the most complex economic enterprises known to the preindustrial world. It was the
largest transoceanic migration in history up to that time; it promoted the transportation of people and
goods among three different continents; it involved an annual fleet of several hundred ships; and it
absorbed a very large amount of European capital.
Throughout this period West Africa played a significant role in the slave trade as Europeans such as the British,
Danish, Dutch and Portuguese were involved in the trading of human beings within this region. The Portuguese were
the first to venture into West Africa in 1471 and initially sought resources such as gold, iron, ivory and pepper. As
demand for these products grew, so did competition, which led the Portuguese to build Elmina Castle, originally
Castle of São Jorge da Mina, a fortress established to protect Portuguese trade from other European competitors
(Ghana Web, 2009). Other European nations did, however, continue to move into the region seeking to take part in
the trading of these lucrative commodities. At this time the European slave trade did exist but was not nearly as
significant as it would later be in the 16th and 17th centuries. With the expansion and development of the New World,
a need for individuals to work on sugar plantations increased and thus demand for human resources also grew
resulting in increased slave trade from Africa to the Americas (Rawley & Behrendt, 2005).
African chiefs played a role in the slave trade as well as Europeans. In some cases African chiefs traded humans for
weapons, alcohol and tobacco. Ashanti chiefs engaged in the slave trade to pacify regions that were under their rule
but were troubled with dissonance. In exchange for human beings the Ashanti received weapons from other
Europeans to ward off British imperialism (Crowder, 1971).
Although the practice of trading slaves existed in Africa prior to the Europeans, it had not been organized and
calibrated to the extent of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. In most situations African enslavement resulted from local
wars, and slaves were generally viewed as, “junior members of society with specific rights, and many were
ultimately absorbed into their masters’ families as full members” (Ghana Web). This differed vastly from the
European concept of enslavement in which slaves were treated as commodities to be bought and sold with no rights
(Kopytoff & Miers, 1979). This is partially why the slave trade existed with little opposition within the West;
Africans were seen as subhuman and often times treated as such throughout this three century period of history.
At the center of the slave trade was Brazil. Trading under the Portuguese, Brazil “dominated the slave trade in the
sense that Rio de Janeiro and Bahia sent out more slaving voyages than any port in Europe” (Trans-Atlantic Slave
Trade Database, 2009). The four major regions involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade were Europe, the starting
point in which goods were loaded for trade; Africa, the homeland of the enslaved; Brazil, the largest destination for
all slaves; the Caribbean, one of two regional markets; and North America, which played a minor role in the transAtlantic slave trade due to natural population growth (Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database). This route involving
these four regions is called the Triangular Trade Route, and the journey between Africa and the Americas is known
as the Middle Passage (Falola & Warnock, 2007).
Claiming the lives of millions of Africans due to unsanitary conditions, disease, uprisings and malnutrition on the
ship, the Middle Passage was a torturous and horrific experience. As Falola & Warnock (2007) note, “the experience
of the Middle Passage varied greatly, but in most cases it was characterized by cramped, unsanitary conditions, with
little food and water, few opportunities for exercise, frequent sexual assaults, suicides, and occasional shipboard
rebellions.” It is estimated that up to two million deaths resulted from the voyage from Africa to the Americas
(Falola & Warnock).
The treatment of Africans during the entire trans-Atlantic slave trade was by all accounts abhorrent. Africans were
captured, sold and/or bartered by both Africans and Europeans for economic and political objectives. Upon being
taken into bondage, many Africans were placed in holding cells/dungeons until their imminent departure across the
Atlantic Ocean. One of the most notorious holding cells was Cape Coast Castle. Located three hours from Accra,
the town of Cape Coast was seen as a launching pad for voyages handling “cargo” to be taken across the ocean.
Initially built by the Swedes, Cape Coast Castle was formerly known as Carolusborg and served to protect Swedish
interests and trade. The castle was taken over several times by the Danes and the Ashanti until the British seized
control of the castle circa 1662-1664 (Ring, 1996). During the height of the slave trade; up to 1,000 Africans were
crammed into dungeons to await departure. These dark rooms contained little air, and those held captive, received
little to no food and water with no facilities to eliminate waste. Those who were deemed as troublesome were bound
to dungeon walls, and women were often raped. Those who passed on before departure were thrown into the ocean
(Ring). Upon leaving the castle, Africans were forced through an opening that was called The Door of No Return
as all those who departed through the doorway would never return to Africa again.
In July 2009, President Obama visited Cape Coast Castle with his family and had these words to say,
Michelle, the children, as well as other members of my family, just got an extraordinary tour of this
castle. It is reminiscent of the trip I took to Buchenwald because it reminds us of the capacity of
human beings to commit great evil. One of the most striking things that I heard was that right above
the dungeons in which male captives were kept was a church, and that reminds us that sometimes we
can tolerate and stand by great evil even as we think that we're doing good.
You know, I think it was particularly important for Malia and Sasha, who are growing up in such a
blessed way, to be reminded that history can take very cruel turns, and hopefully one of the things that
was imparted to them during this trip is their sense of obligation to fight oppression and cruelty
wherever it appears, and that any group of people who are degrading another group of people have to
be fought against with whatever tools we have available to us.
So obviously it's a moving experience, a moving moment. We want to thank those who arranged for
the tour and the people of Ghana for preserving this history. As painful as it is, I think that it helps to
teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that, sadly, still exist
in our world, not just on this continent but in every corner of the globe.
And I think, as Americans, and as African Americans, obviously there's a special sense that on the one
hand this place was a place of profound sadness; on the other hand, it is here where the journey of
much of the African American experience began. And symbolically, to be able to come back with my
family, with Michelle and our children, and see the portal through which the Diaspora began, but also
to be able to come back here in celebration with the people of Ghana of the extraordinary progress
that we've made because of the courage of so many, black and white, to abolish slavery and ultimately
win civil rights for all people, I think is a source of hope. It reminds us that as bad as history can be,
it's also possible to overcome (Time, 2009).
Cape Coast Castle is a macabre reminder of the past. Today a museum, the castle serves to educate individuals on
the history of slavery. Visiting the castle ensures the horrors that happened within those walls as well as slavery as a
whole continue to circulate throughout the global conscious and be passed on to the next generation so that events
like these never happen again.
The trans-Atlantic slave trade is a gruesome period of time in history, one that forced human beings into bondage in
exchange for material goods and capital. It took the lives of millions of Africans and forever changed the lives of
many more. As descendents of Africans forced into slavery grapple with their past and their current identities, the
trans-Atlantic slave trade serves as an educational tool and sheds light into some of the most horrific atrocities in
human history.
ACTIVITIES AND PLACES OF INTEREST – ACCRA
Originally a scattering of villages controlled by Ga chiefs, today it’s a sprawling city that extends eastwards to the
neighboring city of Tema, located 138 miles from Takoradi. The National Museum has the most extensive art,
ethnographic, and historical collections in Africa. There are also examples of traditional Ghanaian crafts, ceremonial
objects and archaeological relics. The museum features a permanent display of the slave trade as well. Another sight
of interest is the W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Center, which was the home of African-American W.E.B. DuBois.
Dubois was a supporter of Pan-Africanism, a movement to unify all native Africans and the African Diaspora. The
Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture is a tribute to him and the Pan-Africanism movement. The memorial
also features a library and gallery dedicated to DuBois.
Surrounding the City Center of Accra are other sights to visit and explore. James Town and Ussher Town are two
of the oldest neighborhoods in Accra and emerged in the 17th century around Fort James and Fort Ussher. Formerly
used as prisons Fort Ussher has been converted into a museum with similar plans for Fort James underway. A
highlight of James Town is the colonial-era lighthouse standing 30 m tall. This can be climbed for views of the area.
Independence Square (Black Star Square), a tribute to Pan-Africanism and Ghanaian independence and Osu
Castle, the former Danish castle known as Christiansborg and current seat of government, are other sights to visit.
Osu Castle is not open to the public. Other interesting sights in and around the city center include the old fishing
harbor above Fort James; Makola Market, a huge market selling everything from soap to suitcases, food and
phones; colonial-era shops, houses and buildings; small, colorful markets and colonial-era architecture.
La Pleasure Beach (also called Labadi) is the best beach for swimming. Lifeguards are on duty here as the
undertow is quite strong. Be careful when swimming. It’s also a hotspot for young Ghanaians with restaurants and
bars dotted along the beach. Another beach that may be more comfortable and relaxing is Coco Beach, a 15-minute
drive east from La Pleasure Beach.
ACTIVITIES AND PLACES OF INTEREST – CAPE COAST
Cape Coast sits along the coast of Ghana approximately 50miles from Takoradi. It is the former British capital of
the Gold Coast. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic Cape Coast Castle, a holding dungeon for
slaves during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The castle museum provides information regarding the slave trade,
looking at the conditions slaves had to endure while held captive here and the impacts of slavery on descendents
of slaves today. Other interesting sights include Fort William and Fort Victoria. Although entrance is prohibited,
a short hike to these forts provides nice views of the town. Music lovers can spend some time at the Gramophone
Records Museum, which has a collection of 15-20,000 recordings from over 70 Ghanaian artists dating back to
1900. Those interested in fashion or textiles can visit Global Mamas, a store selling hand-made batik (dye
technique) clothes. The store is affiliated with Women in Progress, a nonprofit organization devoted to the
development and education of Ghanaian women. About 4.5 mi (12 km) west of Cape Coast is the town of Elmina.
Visitors can see the oldest European building in Ghana with a trip to Elmina Castle. Along with Cape Coast
Castle, Elmina Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was used as a slave holding cell during the transAtlantic slave trade.
Kakum National Park is located 13 mi north of Cape Cost and protects one of the last remaining areas of lowland
rainforest in Ghana. The park is home to hundreds of species of birds and butterflies along with several species of
monkey and antelope.
ACTIVITIES AND PLACES OF INTEREST – BUSUA & DIXCOVE
These two fishing villages, only 18miles or so west of Takoradi, has some of the nicest beaches in Ghana. Busua, the
more developed of the two villages as far as tourism goes, is blessed with a long, sandy stretch and water that is ideal
for swimming and even a little surfing. There is now even more reason to head down this way thanks to the addition
of two low-key bungalow hang-outs near Dixcove, also the site of the picturesque Fort Metal Cross (admission US
$1.10, camera fee US$0.50; 9am-5pm), which overlooks the port.
If you head east along the beach from Busua, after about 1.2 miles you will reach the settlement of Butre, site of the
ruined Fort Batenstein
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
ACTIVITIES AND PLACES OF INTEREST – KUMASI
Kumasi is located 190 miles north of Takoradi and is Ghana’s second largest city. It is the current capital of the
central region and has been the Royal Ashanti state capital for three centuries. Local Ashanti crafts are a highlight of
the region and can be bought at the Kejetia Market, a vast and reportedly the largest open air market in Africa.
Spend time in clothing, textile, craft and food stalls. Other sights include the National Cultural Center, Okomfo
Anokye Sword (sword stuck in the same position for 300 years), Manhyia (the National Museum), Armed Forces
Museum and the Kumasi Fort.
ACTIVITIES AND PLACES OF INTEREST – NEAR SEKONDI-TAKORADI
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana features a number of tourist attractions that will keep you busy. Takoradi Technical
Institute features a Fabrication Laboratory, see equipment provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT). Mercy Foundation International works with the underprivileged children teaching basic computer skills.
The foundation has opened an Internet café and computer training center for the children. The beaches in the area
draw a lot of tourists every year. They participate in a number of watersports like surfing, swimming, diving, and
water-skiing.
Visit Nzulezo and Kojokuma the only water villages in Ghana. They are built entirely on stilts on an open lake
fed by two rivers; they are located west of Takoradi. The villagers migrated several centuries ago from Walata a
city in the ancient Ghana Empire, which fell in the year 1250.
Domana Rock Shrine “Bosom Kese: (great god) a huge rock stacked on top of three rocks and forming a shelter
of nearly three stores. Visit involves a hike through a bit of forest, traditional hamlets and farms.
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
GHANA LANGUAGE GUIDE
Although English is the official language of Ghana, it may be useful to try a few of the regional languages as well.
Two languages widely spoken in Ghana are Twi (chwee) and Ewe (e-vay).
TWI
Twi is the language of the Ashanti people and it is also the official language of education and literature in Ghana.
As a member of the Akan language group (languages spoken mostly in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire), Twi shares
mutually intelligible dialects with other languages in this grouping.
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
COMMON WORDS AND PHRASES
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
Hello
(Response)
Good morning
Good evening
Are you going to…?
Goodbye
Safe journey
Let’s go
How are you?
I’m fine
Please
Thank you
Yes
No
Do you speak English?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
20
100
1000
a·kwa·ba
yaa
ma·cheeng
ma·ja
ya·co
ma·krow
nan·tee yee·yay
yen·co
ay·ta·sein
ay·ya
me·pa·wo·che·o
may·da·say
aan
da·be
wo·te bro·fo aan·na
bee·a·ko
a·bee·eng
a·bee·e·sa
a·nang
a·nuhm
a·see·ya
a·song
a·wo·twe
a·kruhng
du
du·bee·a·ko
a·dwo·nu
a·ho
a·pem
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
I’d like…
I don’t understand
me·pay…
um·ta se
EWE
Ewe is an official language of instruction in Ghana’s primary and secondary education systems. It is spoken mainly
in eastern Ghana and is the major indigenous language of southern Togo.
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
COMMON WORDS AND PHRASES
Good morning/
Good evening
What’s your name?
My name is…
How are you?
I’m fine
Thank you
Goodbye
Source: Lonely Planet: West Africa
nee·lye·nee·aa
n·ko·wo·day?
nk·nee·n·yay…
nee·fo·a?
mee·fo
mou·do, ack·pay·now
mee·a do·go
SOURCES:
Adu Boahen, A. (2004). Ghana (Republic of): Colonization and resistance, 1875-1901. In K. Shillington (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of African history: Volume 1 A-G (pp. 567-568). New York: Routledge
Background Note: Benin (2009). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved July 7, 2009 from
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6761.htm
Background Note: Ghana. (2009). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved July 7, 2009, from
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1066.html
Background Note: Togo (2009). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved July 7, 2009 from
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5430.htm
Benin Travel Information. (2009). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved July 7, 2009, from
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1066.html
Briggs, P. (2007). The Bradt travel guide: Ghana. UK: Bradt Travel Guides, Ltd
Country Studies: Ghana. (1994). Library of Congress. Retrieved July 27, 2009, from
http://rs6.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field%28DOCID+gh0013%29 and
http://rs6.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field%28DOCID+gh0014%29
Crowder, M. (1971). West African resistance: The military response to colonial occupation. Teaneck: Holmes &
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