A country of great natural beauty, rich history, and jovial people, Ghana is a must-visit destination. And yet, it wasn’t on my personal bucket list at all. I traveled there on a one-year NGO job contract, but the country was so magical it “sucked me in” for a whole five years!
Ghana is known for its colonial past, as well as its gold and cocoa exports. It is also famous for being the birthplace of Kofi Annan. But beyond these notable “claims to fame”, it is the country’s vivacious culture that makes Ghana special.
A rapidly-developing country with a lot of promise and potential, here are the things that this fascinating place is known for.
Table of Contents
1. Gateway to Africa
Ghana is often referred to as “Africa for beginners”. It is common to meet people who say they don’t want to travel to Africa because they have preconceptions about the continent being dangerous.
The most frequent question I received about my time there was “Is Ghana safe?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Ghana is famous for being a stable, peaceful, democratic country with a quickly growing economy and good infrastructure. Uprisings and crime are rare in Ghana. It also has the bonus of being an English-speaking country. These factors combined make it an accessible destination for those first-time travelers to Africa.
2. Colonial heritage
Modern-day Ghana is very much a product of its colonial history. Numerous European nations took turns in colonizing it since the 14th century, as it was a very attractive territory due to its huge gold reserves.
The Portuguese were the first to set foot in the country in 1471. They were followed by the Dutch, Scandinavians, Germans, and, finally, the British in 1874 who famously referred to it as the “Gold Coast”. During their time in Ghana, the British built hospitals, schools, and transport infrastructure that remain in place today.
Ghana gained independence from Britain in 1957, but many areas in the country still have a colonial flair. Jamestown, named in honor of the British King James I, in Accra is only one of them.
3. Chale
Ghana is known for its peculiar slang. Ghana’s official language is English and many local dialects are spoken throughout the country. However, it is the pidgin English spoken there that will surprise you and stick with you!
The first time a Ghanaian friend called me “Chale” (i.e. Charlie), I was shocked. Didn’t they remember my name? After that, I noticed that I actually kept hearing the word everywhere! It turned out that “chale” is the equivalent of “friend” or “dude”.
It dates back to colonial times and the fact that most British lords were called Charlie. The name came to be incredibly popular in Ghana and then took on a life of its own!
4. Ghanaian cuisine
Ghanaian cuisine is famous around the world. Even if you can’t name the dishes, you will have definitely seen photos of them!
So, what are some of Ghana’s famous foods? Fufu, for one! That would be cassava and plantain molded together to form a rubbery-looking ball. Small chunks of fufu are cut by hand and dipped into a fish or meat soup or stew.
Personally, I found fufu to be an acquired taste and very different from what a European palate might be used to. But the country’s cuisine also boasts some delightful treats. A trip to Ghana isn’t complete without trying waakye (a rice and beans dish) and jollof rice… which Ghanaians claim is way better than its Nigerian equivalent.
Ghanaians also love to share their food and will almost always say “You’re invited” if you see them eating, prompting you to join in!
5. Large Lebanese community
Ghana is known for being home to many expats. Indeed, walking around Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Sekondi-Takoradi, I found that I heard different languages all the time! The most popular language, however, was by far Arabic.
I learned that more than 250,000 Lebanese people are estimated to live in West Africa. A great number of them conduct business in Ghana.
Most of the large corporations, supermarkets, entertainment venues, restaurants, and bars in Ghana are Lebanese-owned. The Lebanese have been fully welcomed and integrated into the local society and have a close relationship with Ghanaians.
6. Trotros
You know those Ghanaian colorful minibusses that you see in photos of the country? They are called trotros. Forget regular buses, metros, and trains. These commercial minibusses constitute the main form of transport in Ghana and they are totally iconic.
Adorned with religious or witty slogans about life, they always seem to be filled to the brim — with people, animals, and luggage. There are two people in charge of any given trotro: the conductor who drives and a ‘mate’ who collects passengers’ money and announces the stops.
Trotros famously do not depart for their destination at a scheduled time, but rather when they have reached full capacity. A trotro ride is a must-try experience in Ghana… if you are not in a hurry to get somewhere!
7. Hiplife
Music is a very big part of Ghanaian culture. In recent years, the hiplife genre, which originated in Ghana, has taken the world by storm!
Hiplife has a distinctive sound that can be described as a mix between highlife and hip hop. Highlife was an older, classic genre of music from Ghana that combined African beats with jazz.
Reggie Rockstone, a Ghanaian rapper, is the one credited with pioneering hiplife. Today, many famous Ghanaian hiplife artists have become popular worldwide.
8. Cocoa
Ghana’s produce is also quite famous, particularly the country’s cocoa. Ghana is actually the second largest producer of cocoa in the world, after the Ivory Coast. However, it is not so common to find chocolate produced in Ghana, as the country exports the majority of it.
The country’s biggest cocoa trading partners are Germany and France and it is estimated to supply 20% of the world’s cocoa. This means that chances are that a lot of your favorite chocolate has its roots in Ghana, even if you didn’t know it!
The country’s natural environment and climate are perfect for producing top-notch cocoa. If you are there, don’t miss the chance to try some of this awesome superfood raw!
9. Novelty coffins
While some may find this a bit morbid, Ghana is known for its coffins. Ghanaians spend a lot of time and money designing the coffin they would like to be buried in.
They want their coffin to reflect some aspect of their lives, which has resulted in the popularization of novelty coffins. A fisherman, for example, might choose to be buried in a fish coffin, while a supercar fan might choose a Ferrari coffin.
It sounds funny, but the reason behind this lies in Ghana’s religion and funeral culture. Ghanaians believe funerals should not be sad events, but rather big celebrations of a person’s life.
Funerals in Ghana normally last for days and take the form of a block party. If you happen to be passing by one, don’t be surprised if you’re invited to join in!
10. Gold
Ghana has a world-famous gold industry. Gold was first found there in the 7th century and, over time, the country became wealthy through trading it. Today, gold mining is still one of the biggest industries in the country and one of its most important economic activities.
If you are interested in the history of gold in Ghana, you should visit Obuasi in the Ashanti region. This is home to some of the largest goldmines in the country, which you can also visit as a tourist.
11. Kente
Is there anything that screams “Ghana” more than kente? I don’t think so!
Kente is a Ghanaian textile. It is made of interwoven strips of silk and cotton and has a long history in Ghana. It dates back to the 11th century when it was made by the Ewe people, before being adopted by the Ashanti empire.
Even though it was originally worn by royalty, today it can be found anywhere and everywhere. Its characteristic colorful patterns make beautiful garments, bags, sandals, and accessories.
However, you have to be careful when picking your kente as there are strict symbolisms in its colors. Yellow is for fertility, while black is for spiritual awakenings, so you have to dress for special occasions carefully.
12. Kofi Annan
When you’re thinking about Ghana’s famous people, Kofi Annan is undoubtedly the first one to come to mind.
Born in Kumasi, Kofi Annan worked hard to become an internationally-recognized diplomat. He was committed to promoting human rights and a peaceful world. This led to him eventually serving as Secretary-General of the United Nations for 10 whole years. He was co-awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for his efforts to revitalize the United Nations.
When he died in 2018, he was buried in his homeland, where he is regarded as a national hero.
13. Kejetia Market
An iconic West African image is that of a lady expertly carrying a large basket filled with fruits on the top of her head while strolling around an outdoor market.
Indeed, West Africa is known for its large markets and Ghana boasts the largest one in the region. Kejetia Market in Kumasi is a huge market with over 10,000 stalls and stores.
Shopping there, to me, felt never-ending: miles and miles walked while looking for special treasures! You can find anything your heart desires at the bustling hub that is Kejetia: from electronics to food to clothes and accessories. I returned home with bagfuls of unique bargains!
14. Spot bars
There are many modern, swanky bars and clubs you can go to in Ghana. Accra, in particular, is known for its exciting nightlife that extends to the early hours of the morning.
However, to experience authentic Ghanaian nightlife, one would have to go to one of the many “spots” that the country is known for. A spot bar is an emblematic Ghanain bar. Normally, it is a minimal small hut or repurposed ship container. Spots will feature a drinks fridge, some plastic chairs, and not much else.
While they may initially seem bleak in their simplicity, you’ll find that they get packed with locals every night. Ghanaians will go to their local spot to socialize, drink, and dance the night away!
15. Azonto
Azonto is a famous Ghanaian dance that has taken West Africa, as well as the rest of the world, by storm in recent years.
The origins of this dance lie in a traditional Ghanaian dance called kpanlogo. Azonto is a modern version of that. It is a modern, energetic, freestyle dance that incorporates hip movements, knee bending, and rhythmic hand gestures.
Popularized by the famous Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, it now has many global fans… especially in the London nightlife scene!
Wrap up
To summarize, Ghana is a country of wonders that is known for many things. It is an important player in global economics with huge exports of cocoa and gold. It is also a country with great natural beauty and a lot of character.
Its jovial people are known for their sense of humor and its modern culture features great music and dancing. As such, it is fair to say that Ghana is an African gem.
In addition to all of the above, Ghana is famous for being a safe democratic country. This is very important, as it means it is a country that tends to open the doors to the rest of the continent for first-time travelers to Africa. If you were ever apprehensive about traveling to Africa, Ghana will for sure change your mind!
I really really enjoyed your article on Ghana. It sound fascinating. I would love to visit or just maybe live there! You did not talk about the cost of anything or actually the cost of living, not sure what I’m trying to say, lol, but I’m sure I can look that up. Anyway I loved your story and you did not say what you did for the five years you were there…by the way I have a miniature schnauzer that is 11 and her name is Lilli !!!