Ghana is an African country on the western coast of Africa and was the first African country to get its independence from colonial Britain in 1957. It had been named the Gold Coast because of the gold trade and this name was changed to Ghana when it acquired independence under President Kwame Nkrumah.

Ghana has a population of 22 million people with the Ashanti tribe from the Akan being the largest tribal group. There are many other tribal groups including the Ewe, Adangme, and Kyerepong in the south and the Gonja and Mamprussi in the Northern part of the country. Despite the presence of many tribal groups Ghana, unlike other African countries, has continued a peaceful existence since its Independence.

There is a divide between the North and the South with the Northern part of the country having more unemployment and a higher rate of poverty than the South. Houses have followed the traditional pattern of having a central courtyard with rows of rooms surrounding it making it ideal for extended family systems though there are some people who live in Western style houses.

The Ghanaians have open markets where buying and selling of all sorts of produce takes place. Palm oil, fish, fruits, vegetables and traditional crafts like pottery, carved stools and gold jewellery are sold. The social activity of the people flourishes with this open market trading system and this social interaction continues at home with their central courtyards where family members have ample chance to interact with each other.

Most families raise their own chickens and goats which are slaughtered at times of celebrations. Fufu is a main dish made with crushed plantain or tubers and cassava which is eaten with a soup made with vegetables and fish or meat. Palm wine made from the oil palm is drunk with meals.

Traditionally land ownership in the north was decided by the chief and handed down according to the lineage of the clan, whereas in the south a chosen leader would decide who would be handed down a piece of land. In modern day Ghana this system still operates with some Government intervention..

Ghanaians have retained English as their national language but most people speak the Akan language fluently in addition to their own different languages. Office jobs are held on the basis of educational qualifications and the rest of the population rely on fishing and other manual jobs to make a living.

Women primarily look after the family and the children but they make wicker baskets and pottery and are also involved in market trade and are respected members of the Ghanaian society. Though polygamy was practiced traditionally this has now changed due to Western influence and Ghanaian Christians do not marry more than one wife. Other Non Christian men can marry more than one wife if they can afford to keep them.

The Ghanaians are polite, respectful people who believe in extended family relationships and this is cultivated in every aspect of their lives whether it is helping in childcare or looking after the elderly members of their families.

They believe in a higher being and in the spirits of their ancestors. Rituals are performed to invoke these spirits for help and guidance. Traditional medicine using herbs and magical charms is preferred to modern medicine.

The social class system which was very much a part of Ghanaian traditional society has now changed to an extent and status is now dependent on a person's wealth and education. Family conflicts are normally settled within the family unit and formal legal involvement is avoided.

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