Diversity in Ghana
Ghana is
known as the "Land of Gold" because of its gold and mineral
resources. Another rich resource in Ghana is the diversity of
religious and cultural groups that make up its 
population.
Within Ghana's 95,373 square miles, there are four major religions,
five major ethnic groups, and at least nine languages, plus
a myriad of regional languages and religions.
The people
of Ghana belong to both the larger African family and to smaller
ethnic groups. It is estimated, based on language, that there
are at least 75 different ethnic groups in Ghana. The largest
groups are: Akan, Dagomba, Ga, Gurma, and Ewe. (For more on
the ethnic groups of Ghana, visit Ghana
Home Page.) Many of these groups migrated into Ghana within
the last 700 to 1,000 years. Black Africans compose 99.8 percent
of the population (18.9 million) in Ghana.
English
is the official language of Ghana and is taught in most Ghanaian
schools. In 1962 the government selected nine Ghanaian language
s—Akuapem-Twi,
Asante-Twi, Dagbani, Ewe, Fanti, Hausa, Ga, Kasem, and Nizima—in
addition to English and French, for use in its educational institutions.
Ghanaian languages often employ sayings and symbolism to convey
meaning.
In English,
adages such as "Character is easier kept than recovered"
or "A puff of wind and popular praise weigh the same"
convey meaning by using familiar phrases. Ghanaian languages
also use proverbs to express familiar sentiments, ideas, or
actions. A few Akan examples include: "When a king has
good counselors, his reign is peaceful," "By
the time a fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed,"
and "The poor man and the rich man do not play together."
Ghanaians
also use pictographic symbols to express their cultural traditions.
Adinkra is the highly regarded craft of hand-painting and hand-embroidering
symbols on cloth to express Ghanaian aesthetics, ethics, human
relationships, and religious concepts. The cloths are used to
make clothing for such special occasions as festivals, church
going, weddings, naming ceremonies, and initiation rites. A
few examples of symbols and their meaning are: 
AKOMA -
The Heart. Symbolic of goodwill, patience, faithfulness, fondness,
and consistency.
ADINKRAHENE
- One of the most powerful of the Adinkra designs. Symbol of
greatness, prudence, firmness, and magnanimity. For more Adinkra
symbols go to West
African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings.
People throughout
Ghana still practice various traditional religions, but almost
two-thirds of the population is Christian and one-sixth is Muslim.
Many indigenous Ghanaian religions honor a higher power, which
include natural phenomena and the deceased. Dead ancestors are
considered omnipresent beings who are capable of influencing
real-life events and acting as intermediaries between the living
and the gods.
© 2008
National Gardening Association