GHANA

Warrior King

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Capital: Accra
Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Population: 25,758,108 (2014 est.)
Ethnic Make-up: Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi
2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census)
Religions: Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim
15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census)
Government: constitutional democracy

Ghana, formerly the British colony of the Gold Coast,

assumes a special prominence as the first African country to
acquire independence from European rule. Until its independence,
Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. It was renamed Ghana,
meaning “Warrior King,” to reflect the ancient Ghana Empire that
flourished in West Africa during the 10th century. Ghanaian
politicians marked this important transition by replacing the
territory's colonial label with the name of a great indigenous
civilization of the past. While somewhat mythical, these evocations
of noble origins, in combination with a rich cultural heritage and a
militant nationalist movement, have provided this ethnically
diverse country with unifying symbols and a sense of common
identity and destiny. Over forty years of political and economic
setbacks since independence have tempered national pride and
optimism. Yet, the Ghanaian people have maintained a society
free from serious internal conflict and continue to develop their
considerable natural, human, and cultural resources.
Ghana is located on the west coast of Africa,
approximately midway between Senegal and Cameroon. It is
bordered by Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Burkina Faso, Togo, and
the Atlantic Ocean. The land surface of 92,100 square miles (238,540 square kilometers) is dominated by the ancient
Precambrian shield, which is rich in mineral resources, such as gold and diamonds. The land rises gradually to the
north and does not reach an altitude of more than 3,000 feet (915 meters). The Volta River and its basin forms the
major drainage feature; it originates in the north along two widely dispersed branches and flows into the sea in the
eastern part of the country near the Togolese border. The Volta has been dammed at Akosombo, in the south, as part
of a major hydroelectric project, to form the Lake Volta. Several smaller rivers, including the Pra and the Tano, drain
the regions to the west. Highland areas occur as river escarpments, the most extensive of which are the Akwapim-
Togo ranges in the east, the Kwahu escarpment in the Ashanti region, and the Gambaga escarpment in the north.
Ghana's subequatorial climate is warm and humid, with distinct alternations between rainy summer and dry
winters. The duration and amount of rainfall decreases toward the north, resulting in a broad differentiation between
two regions— southern rain forest and northern savanna—which form distinct environmental, economic, and cultural
zones. The southern forest is interrupted by a low-rainfall coastal savanna that extends from Accra eastward into Togo.
Demography. The population in 2000 was approximately 20 million and was growing at a rate of 3 percent per year.
Approximately two-thirds of the people live in the rural regions and are involved in agriculture. Settlement is
concentrated within the "golden triangle," defined by the major southern cities of Accra (the capital), Kumasi, and
Sekondi-Takoradi. Additional concentrations occur in the northernmost districts, especially in the northeast. The
population is almost exclusively African, as Ghana has no history of intensive European settlement. There is a small
Lebanese community, whose members settled in the country as traders. Immigration from other African countries,
notably Burkina Faso, Togo, Liberia, and Nigeria, is significant. Some of the better established immigrant groups
include many Ghanaian-born members, who are nevertheless classified as "foreign" according to Ghana's citizenship
laws.
Linguistic Affiliation. Ghana's national language is English, a heritage of its former colonial status. It is the main
language of government and instruction. Ghanaians speak a distinctive West African version of English as a standard
form, involving such usages as chop (eat) and dash (gift). English is invariably a second language. Mother tongues
include over sixty indigenous languages. Akan is the most widely spoken and has acquired informal national language
status. In addition to the large number of native speakers, many members of other groups learn Akan as a second
language and use it fluently for intergroup communication. Ga-Adangme and Ewe are the next major languages.
Hausa, a Nigerian language, is spoken as a trade language among peoples from the north. Many Ghanaians are
multilingual, speaking one or two indigenous languages beside their native dialects and English. Although Ghana is
bounded by francophone nations on all sides, few Ghanaians are proficient in French.
Symbolism. As a relatively new nation, Ghana has not developed an extensive tradition of collective symbols. Its most
distinctive emblems originated in the nationalist movement. The most prominent is the black star, which evokes black
pride and power and a commitment to pan-African unity, which were central themes for mobilizing resistance against
British rule. It is featured on the flag and the national coat of arms, and in the national anthem. It is also the name of
Ghana's soccer team and is proudly displayed in Black Star Square, a central meeting point in the capital. Other
important symbols derive from Akan traditions that have become incorporated into the national culture. These include
the ceremonial sword, the linguist's staff, the chief's stool, and the talking drum. Ghanaian national dress,kentecloth,
is another source of common identity and pride. It is handwoven into intricate patterns from brilliantly colored silk. Men
drape it around their bodies and women wear it as a two-pieced outfit. The main exports—gold and cocoa—also stand
as identifying symbols.
Ghanaian Literature

Ghanaian literature is traditionally based on oral literature as most histories and stories were passed on by
spoken word through song, poetry and folktales. Most of these stories are still accessible, and contemporary Ghanaian
writers have found ingénue ways to channel new and traditional ways of telling stories into their books. Below are some
of the writers you should pay attention to when it comes to Ghanaian literature.

Some known authors:

 Ayi Kwei Armah is probably the most distinguished African writer in terms of stylistics. In
his debut novel, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, he employs language creatively to
build elaborate detail about post-colonial Ghanaian society. He provides brave and well-
thought-out criticism of his society, which requires the reader to react. In Ayi Kwei Armah’s
prose, expect to find fiction that challenges you as a reader and exposes you to critical
subtleties that form a picture of Ghana life.
  Ama Ata Aidoo. From a young age, she has demonstrated the ability to write expertly
with poetry, prose and drama. She seamlessly switches between these genres to
whichever she feels would allow her to express her ideas best. Her primary focus are
women’s issues and gender as she uses her work to bring to light the matters that affect
contemporary Ghanaian women. Her award-winning novel, Changes is a fierce piece of
fiction that exposes people to the different facets of Ghanaian women. This book is an
excellent way to introduce yourself to her impressive work.

 Kofi Awoonor. Ghanaian culture is rooted in oral tradition and it is no coincidence that
Ghanian writers exhibit excellent mastery over poetry. Kofi Awoonor, a student and
admirer of the traditional poetics of the ewe, known as “Halo” (songs of abuse), marries
this with other writing influences in producing his work. As such, his poetry carries a rich
mixture of different styles as he employs language tools such as imagery and metaphor to
celebrate the past and reconstruct the future. Awoonor and his legacy continue to be a
pillar of modern African poetry.

 Taiye Selasi represents the new wave of African writers who are challenging notion with
beautiful and elegant language. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Ghana Must Go, is a
masterful display of style as she writes in way that reminds her readers of poetry. Her mixed
ancestry also allows her to be adventurous; she shows how this exposure to different cultures
and stories has allowed her to analyse her society. Be prepared to be riveted by the pages
of her work as her plot development thoroughly thrills you.

 Yaa Gyasi, similar to Taiye Selasi, is taking a place on coffee table and bookshelves across
the world. Her work has the flavour of the cosmopolitan, fast-paced zest of the modern world,
while rooted in the illustrious history of the past. Reading her debut novel, Homegoing, the
reader will certainly fall in love with her amazing writing skills as well as relish the texture she
weaves into her story. Writers like Yaa Gyasi represent the future of Ghanaian Literature; a
fresh and exciting wave of crisp story telling.

Society and Culture

The People

There are over 100 ethnic groups living in Ghana. The largest are Akan, Moshi-Dagbani, Ewe, and Ga. The
Ashanti tribe of the Akan are the largest tribe and one of the few societies in West Africa where lineage is traced
through the mother and maternal ancestors. Once famous for the luxury and wealth of their rulers, they are now more
well known for their craft-work such as hand-carved stools, fertility dolls, and ‘kente’ cloth. Kente cloth is made cotton
and is woven in bright, narrow strips with complex patterns.

The Family

Family is a very strong bond in Ghana and is the primary source of identity, loyalty and responsibility. Family
obligations take precedence over pretty much everything else in life. Individuals achieve recognition and social standing
through their extended family. An interesting cultural variation among the Akan, or Ashanti and Fanti people, is that
affiliation within the clan is through women. Mothers have a higher status as in their point of view people get their blood
from mothers.

It is important for Ghanaians to maintain dignity, honour, and a good reputation. The entire family shares any
loss of honour, which makes the culture a collective one. In order to protect this sense of face there is a need to
maintain a sense of harmony; people will act with decorum at all times to ensure they do not cause anyone
embarrassment.

Hierarchy

Ghanaian society is hierarchical. People are respected because of their age, experience, wealth and/or
position. Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a group one can always see preferential
treatment for the eldest member present. With respect comes responsibility and people expect the most senior person
to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group

Customs and Etiquette

Meeting Etiquette
 Traditional or native greetings vary among the various ethnic groups.
 With foreigners the most common greeting is the handshake with a smile.
 When shaking hands between themselves Ghanaians will hold the right hand in the normal manner but will
then twist and click each other’s middle finger.
 Unless you are experienced it is best to stick to a normal handshake!
 Christians will generally shake hands between the sexes; practising Muslims often will not shake hands with
people of the opposite sex.
 Address Ghanaians by their academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname.
 As a sign of respect, males over the age of 30 may be addressed as "pah-pah" while women of the same age
may be called "mah-mee". People over the age of 50 may be referred to as "nah-nah".
Gift Giving Etiquette
 Gifts need not be expensive; the thought is more important than the value.
 If invited to dinner at a Ghanaian’s home, you are not expected to bring a gift.
 However, a gift for the children is always a nice touch as it shows a concern for family.
 Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand.
 Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour.
 Gifts are not always opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
 Ghanaians enjoy entertaining in their homes and you should accept any invitation as a sign of friendship.
 Dress well; Ghanaians place a lot of emphasis on how people dress. You may need to remove your shoes.
 Greet elders of heads of family first.
 Ghanaians table manners are relatively formal.
 Wait to be told where to sit.
 A washing basin will be brought out before the meal is served; use it to wash your hands.
 Food is generally served from a communal bowl.
 Do not begin eating until the eldest male does.
  Eat from the section of the bowl that is in front of you. Never reach across the bowl to get something from the
other side.
 If you do not want to eat with your hands then ask for utensils.
 If you use your hands then scoop the food with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand. Do not use
your left hand.
Business Etiquette and Protocol
 Handshakes are the most common means of greeting.
 It’s generally common to wait for a woman to extend her hand first.
 Take time to inquire about people’s health, family and jobs. To rush a greeting is extremely rude.
 Maintain eye contact during the greeting.
 Titles are important. Use the honorific title plus any academic or professional title and the surname.
 Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. The younger generation will tend to do so rapidly.
 Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
 Present and receive business cards with two hands or the right hand, never with the left.
Communication Style
Ghanaians are more indirect communicators. This means they take care not to relay information in any way
that could cause issues, whether that be giving someone bad news, turning down an invitation, refusing a request or
any other such matter. Ghanaians always want to protect their own and others’ face as well as maintain harmonious
relationships.
As a result they tend to use proverbs, wise sayings, analogies readily. This allows ideas or messages to be
convened in a manner that does not seem so blatant. In fact people who are viewed as wise frequently speak in
proverbs.
Silence is a common means of communication. If someone is uncomfortable with a question or do not think
the asker will appreciate response, they will say nothing rather than make the other person uncomfortable.
Business Meetings
 Initial meetings are really all about finding out about one another and if a personality fit allows for future, more
business specific meetings. One should therefore expect to spend quite a good deal of time in relationship
and rapport building. Do not be surprised is business is not really discussed much at all.
 First meetings may also tend to be a little more stiff and formal although once a rapport has been built this will
soon dissipate. It is important to maintain a polite and somewhat reserved demeanor.
 Hierarchy is respected so the most senior person is greeted first. He/she may be the spokesperson for the
group or may deputise key stakeholders to speak.
 Ghanaians have a keen sense of humour and enjoy telling jokes. However until you have understood their
sense of humour it is best to refrain from telling jokes yourself. If a
 Ghanaian teases you take it good-naturedly. For the most part, this shows they are becoming more relaxed
with you.
Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions.
Most households raise chickens and dwarf goats, which are reserved for special occasions, such as
christenings, weddings, traditional festivals, and Christmas. Among the Akan, the main indigenous celebration
isodwira,a harvest rite, in which new yams are presented to the chief and eaten in public and domestic feasts. The Ga
celebratehomowo,another harvest festival, which is marked by eatingkpekpele,made from mashed corn and palm oil.
Popular drinks include palm wine, made from the fermented sap of the oil palm, and home-brewed millet beer. Bottled
European-style beer is widely consumed. Imported schnapps and whiskey have important ceremonial uses as libations
for royal and family ancestors.
Traditions of Ghana

The people of West Africa’s Ghana are warm and friendly.

They are polite, open and trusting — even with strangers. They take life
at a relaxed pace and view time as a series of events rather than a
matter of hours or minutes.

To Ghanaians, people are more important than schedules.

“Let’s get to business” conversation is considered rude. Ghanaians
exchange pleasantries and inquire about family before beginning
business. They greet one another, making extra effort to greet older
people. With the men, handshakes almost always accompany
greetings.
Ghanaians emphasize values such as the importance of
family, respect for the elderly and honor for traditional rulers. They place
high value on dignity and proper social conduct.

Individual conduct is seen as having impact on an entire family,

social group and community. Therefore, each person is expected to
be respectful, dignified and observant in almost every aspect of life.
An entire family shares any loss of honor, which makes the culture a
collective one. In order to protect this sense of “face,” there is a need
to maintain harmony. People behave with decorum to ensure that they
do not cause embarrassment to others.

Everything is shared — even food, no matter how small the amount.

If a Ghanaian is interrupted while eating, he invites the other
to join him. Depending on the level of familiarity, the person may wash
his hands and join in. If the relationship is casual, the other person will
politely decline.
Among common greetings and responses in Ghana are:

 Maakye — Good morning

 Maaha — Good afternoon
 Maadwo — Good evening
 Wohu te sen? — How are you?
 Onyame na adom me hu ye — By the Grace of God, I am fine
 Me daase — Thank you
 Kusee — Sorry
 Me paa wo kyeo (ky sounds “ch” as it would sound in “chain”) — Please

When talking to an older person, a Ghanaian must not gesture with his left hand. In fact, anything done with the
left hand is considered rude. Nevertheless, some people write or do things with the left hand because that hand is
stronger than the right. They never use the left hand to eat or gesture, however.

Ghanaians are indirect communicators. They take care not to relay information in any way that could cause issues.
This includes delivering bad news, turning down an invitation or refusing a request. Ghanaians want to protect face as
well as maintain harmonious relationships.
 Ghana is often described as a land of festivals, music and
traditional dances. Most communities, clans and tribes have annual
celebrations.

There are three main types of music in Ghana. Ethnic, or

traditional music, is usually played during festivals and funerals. Highlife
music is a blend of traditional and imported music. Choral music is
performed in concert halls, churches, schools and colleges.

Children registered at some of the Compassion-assisted Child

Development Centers in Ghana have formed choirs. One such choir is the
Kasoa Cluster Mass Choir, which rocked the national theatre during last
year’s fifth anniversary celebration.
It is a tradition for children at our Child Development Centers
to welcome visitors and sponsors with elaborate drumming and
dancing. This is an expression of appreciation and Ghanaian hospitality.

Along with being serious about their own customs and

traditions, Ghanaians are fast learners who easily understand and adopt
other cultures and practices. This makes Ghana a comfortable, easy
country for everyone to live in and for outsiders to visit.

12 Traditions and Customs Only Ghanaians Can Understand

The Handshake
More than a symbol of greeting, this elaborate meeting of palms, thumbs and forefingers begins as a regular
handshake then, before the two people withdraw hands, their palms slide together until their middle fingers are touching
and then they turn their hands so that the palms are glimpsed before bringing together thumb and forefinger for the
signature click at the end. A handshake to symbolise friendship and ease can be confusing at first, but it is simple, fun
and is a great indicator of showing good spirit and familiarity to a fellow human.

‘You are invited’

We take food very seriously in Ghana and these three words are
uttered when a person consuming food spots a friend or acquaintance
and invites that person to join them. It is a turn of phrase and signifies
that you are willing to share your food, but is very rarely taken literally.
When it is though, expect the invitee to pull up a stool and fully tuck in!

The left-handed insult

Never hand anything to anyone with your left hand, unless you want to deeply offend them. Traditionally,
before the advent of the toilet and toilet paper, you used your left hand to clean yourself after obeying a call of nature,
and your right hand was reserved for eating food and interacting with others. Therefore to show anyone apart from a
sworn enemy your right hand is to deeply offend someone to the point of anger. Take care.

No music before Homowo

To appease the sea goddess Maame Water, a ban on playing music exists throughout the areas held by the
Ga people, whose lands are primarily on the shorelines of the country and take up a major part of Accra and its beaches.
This means for a couple of months a year, it gets very quiet in Osu and places such as Kokrobite, where the stereo
basses run deep. It can be strange to be in a bar without background music, but the Ga people take this practice very
seriously, believing that Maame Water holds their luck for the coming year and to oppose her edicts would spell
disaster. The ban is lifted for the festival of Homowo in May.

The Ghanaian salad

At some point in Ghana’s history, it was decided that the traditional salad in Ghana would consist of lettuce,
tomato, onion, boiled eggs, tuna and… baked beans. Yes, baked beans. Heinz, in fact. With a smothering of salad
cream on top of course. This ‘traditional’ salad is eaten on its own or by the side of jollof rice where the flavours and
oddness come together to create something surprisingly tasty.

Inventing new words

Sometimes English just won’t do and Ghanaians like to invent their own, more practical words and phrases.
Two such ones are ‘traffigator’, an amalgamation of ‘traffic’ and ‘indicator’ as is used on a car and with an inserted ‘g’
for good measure. Another car-related word is ‘boganiser’ which, in Ghana, is the correct way we think ‘vulcaniser’
should be spoken. If you need new air for your tyres and go asking for a ‘vulcaniser’, the best of luck to you!

Neon-pink chickens
Out by Shai Hills, the tourists flock to see the baboons in all their familial glory, living wild in the open at the
edge of the savannah preservation. What is not seen so often though, is the scourge these monkeys can be to the
local community that lives nearby. Theft is the most common problem – of anything: foodstuffs, personal items and the
most irritating, terrorising farmers’ livestock, such as chickens. To combat this, the locals hit on an ingenious plan:
spraying the chickens a non-natural neon pink. It turns out the baboons won’t go near them in this hue. Strange and
very wonderful!

Keeping the dead

Usually when a person dies, the body is buried within
a couple of weeks, the family say goodbye and at the funeral
people bring food and refreshments. This isn’t the case within
some Christian tribes of Ghana who can leave loved ones in
cold storage for up to a year and, in the most famous case in
the country, five years, in order to prepare and save money for
the funeral. Funerals are lavish affairs where the deceased’s
family spend an inordinate amount of money to feed and
entertain large numbers of people, therefore indicating how
important the person was in life.

We’re not into birthdays

Or age, really. The Western obsession with attaching age of a specific number to people is not really done.
Ghanaians believe in youth and elders, and this is a general thing, viewed in generational terms so good luck pinning
down the specific ages of people! In the rural sense, especially in the old communities, birthdays were rarely
documented and mostly these people guess within a 10- to 20-year range of what age they think they are, with
mitigating factors such as social events and current affairs of the time. Newspaper articles are devoid of repeatedly
mentioning ages, and it is common for people to claim whatever age they want in order to travel or get a desired job.
Strange, but true.
The swear gesture
Tweaka, roughly translated, it means ‘return to sender’ in patois, and is used along with a gesture that involves
taking a thumb and circling it around one’s head before flicking the imaginary circle away and is used as a response
when someone has ill will towards you, or says something negative. A serious spiritual rebuke, this is the Ghanaian’s
way of swearing with added karmic retribution piled on top.

New Year is bigger than Christmas

It’s not sure when New Year became bigger than
Christmas on the Ghanaian calendar, but in this era of
evangelical superchurches this is the case. New Year has been
re-christened ‘Cross Over’ and on massive billboards all over
the country for months leading up to it, numerous conferences
are advertised where powerful pastors from all over the world
come together in front of thousands of worshippers to ring in the
new year with a religious bent. It’s now more difficult to find a big
New Year’s party or corporate sponsored non-religious events
as almost everyone is in church, more so than at Christmas,
making sure they ‘cross over’ to the next year with all the luck
possible.

Flexible timekeeping
Sometimes it drives you mad, other times it makes you laugh, it just depends on what sort of mood you are in
when a Ghanaian plays fast and loose with time. ‘I’m almost there’ more often means they are nowhere nearby and
you should expect a wait of at least half an hour. When given a meeting time, always add half an hour or an hour, even
for a business meeting. ‘I’m coming’, could mean ‘I haven’t even left yet’ and when you do eventually meet, especially
in business, it’s best to go with the flow, knowing that most meetings will run over and end at a natural point and no
one will check their watches. Ghanaians are essentially laid-back people, making for a more gentle approach to life but
this can be very frustrating for the Western-minded person steeped in efficiency.

Some Tourist Attractions in Ghana

Lake Volta, Ghana

Lake Volta lies along the Greenwich Meridian, and

just six degrees of latitude north of the Equator. The lake’s
northernmost point is close to the town of Yapei, and its
southernmost extreme is at the Akosombo Dam, 520
kilometers (320 mi) downstream from Yapei. Akosombo
Dam holds back both the White Volta River and the Black
Volta River, which formerly converged, where the middle of
the reservoir now lies, to form the single Volta River. The
present Volta River flows from the outlets of the dam’s
powerhouse and spillways to the Atlantic Ocean in
southmost Ghana.

The main islands within the lake are Dodi, Dwarf and Kporve. Digya National Park lies on part of the lake’s
west shore.The lake is formed by the Akosombo Dam, which was originally conceived by the geologist Albert Ernest
Kitson in 1915, but whose construction only began in 1961 with completion in 1965. Because of the formation of Lake
Volta, about 78,000 people were relocated to new towns and villages, along with 200,000 animals belonging to them.
About 120 buildings were destroyed, not including small residences, as over 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2) of territory
was flooded.

Cape Coast Castle

‘Cabo Corso,’ meaning ‘short cape’, is the name

the Portuguese settled on for the local settlement within
which its trade lodge was built in 1555. Its corruption to
‘Cape Coast’ is now the accepted name of the capital of the
Central Region of Ghana. The Swedes, led by
Krusenstjerna, however, were the initiators of the
permanent structure presently known as Cape Coast
Castle. They built a fort in 1653 and named it Carlousburg,
after King Charles X of Sweden.
Its proximity to St. George’s Castle (Elmina
Castle) and its sheltered beach were all forceful ‘pull
factors’ for European nations to the Cape Coast. In addition,
the immense viability of the area’s trade implied that the
ensuing quest for control led to the Swedes having trouble holding on to their fort. It was captured in turn by the Danes
and the local Fetu chief.
Dutch occupation commenced in 1660. Finally, the British fleet, led by Captain Holmes, conquered the fort in 1665 and
by 1700, had upgraded it into a castle.
Colonial rivalry between England and France peaked in 1757 during the Seven Years’ War. A French naval
squadron bombarded Cape Coast Castle, leaving it badly damaged, and after 1760, the English reconstructed the
castle entirely – with more durable materials and an improved sea defence system.
The English retained control of the Castle into the late 19th century. The slave trade was principal until its ban
in 1807 by the British, and it ‘is estimated that around 1700, the Royal African Companywas exporting some 70,000
slaves per annum to the New World’ . After 1807, trade centred on precious metals, ivory, corn and pepper. In the
eighteenth century, the castle’s role altered, as it became the centre of European education in Ghana.
The Cape Coast Castle has served as the West African headquarters of the president of the Committee of
Merchants; the seat of the British governor; and a school.
Open to the public, it is currently a historical museum with a Ghanaian arts and crafts gift shop, and it is the
regional headquarters of Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.

Accra Cultural Centre

Showcases traditional handicrafts from all over Ghana;

the centre has workshops and art galleries.
There are arts and crafts bazaars and a traditional textile market
with souvenirs that have been crafted in clay, wood, leather and
metal.
There is also indoor market with stalls having footwear,
tee shirts and other souvenirs.