By AccraEvents.GH

We're commemorating this Founders Day holiday with a list of fun and intriguing facts about our homeland Ghana.

Ghana, the birthplace of the Pan-African movement, is a country celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, hospitable people, and stable democracy. Ghana is a multicultural society with a blend of religions including Christianity, traditionalism, and Islam. While many are aware that Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence on 6th March 1957; that Ghana is renowned for its vibrant and intricately patterned native kente cloth; that Ghana is a leading global exporter of gold, shea butter, and cocoa, and that Ghana recognized as one of the safest countries in Africa, there are numerous lesser-known facts about Ghana that are equally fascinating. Here are ten mind-blowing facts about Ghana that are sure to intrigue and fascinate you.

1. THE ORIGIN OF "GHANA" AND "ACCRA"

"GHANA" MEANS "WARRIOR KING"

Long before colonial times, West Africa was home to several powerful and prosperous kingdoms, including the Songhai Empire, the Kingdom of Mali (1226 - 1670), Ashanti Empire (1670 - 1901), the Fulani Kingdom (1808 - 1903) and more. The name “Ghana” was derived from the Soninke people of the ancient Ghana Empire that was located in West Africa from about 650 C.E to 1235 C.E (present-day Mali and Mauritania).

"Ghana" means “warrior king” in the Soninke language. The name “Ghana” was adopted when the country gained independence in 1957 to reflect the historical strength and resilience of the people since the Ghana Empire was known for its strong military and trade relations with North Africa and the Mediterranean world.

"ACCRA" MEANS "ANTS" IN AKAN

When the Portuguese first settled on the coast of present-day Ghana in 1482, the area now known as Accra was inhabited by several Ga villages, ruled from Ayaso (Ayawaso), located 24 km away. Between 1650 and 1680, Europeans constructed three fortified trading posts in the area: the English Fort James, the Dutch Fort Crevecoeur, and the Danish Christiansborg Castle. During this time, Ayaso was destroyed in a tribal war, and its population, along with those from other major Ga towns on the Accra plains, moved to the coast to engage in profitable trade with Europeans. This migration led to the formation of three coastal villages—Osu (Christiansborg), Dutch Accra (later Ussher Town), and James Town—which became the foundation of modern Accra. The name "Accra" is derived from the Akan word "nkran," referring to the anthills sprouted up in the abandoned outskirts of Ayaso and also the black ants common in the area. It eventually came to denote the inhabitants. Accra developed into a prosperous trading center and became the capital of the British Gold Coast colony in 1877.

2. THE GHANAIAN CEDI HAS BEEN MODIFIED 7 TIMES

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF THE CEDI

The name “cedi” was derived from the local word “sedie” meaning cowrie, a shell that was widely utilized as currency in the later part of the 19th Century. Before the Ghana Cedi was implemented as the local currency in 1965, Ghana and other ECOWAS nations used the West African Pound (which constituted of shillings and pence). After Independence, the Bank of Ghana took over from the West African Currency Board (WACB) and issued a new currency of Ghana pounds, shillings and pence in July 1958.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CEDI

In July 1965, Cedi notes with Nkrumah's portrait and Pesewa coins were introduced to replace the Ghana Pounds as Ghana left the British colonial monetary system, but that was only the beginning of the Cedi. After the overthrow of the CPP government in 1966, the military government replaced the existing currency notes which bore Nkrumah’s portrait, to notes without his portrait, and the New Cedi was introduced in February 1967. This new Cedi design did not last long and was changed to reflect Ghanaian culture and colours only 5 years later after the military coup under Prime Minister Busua. Following another military coup under Hilla Limann just 7 years later, the new government replaced the Cedi notes again in March 1979.

THE FIRST CEDI OF THE 4TH REPUBLIC

The last military coup in Ghana's history took place 1981. This coup led by John Jerry Rawlings toppled the 3rd Republic and ushered in the 4th. Following the trend of the other coups, this new government also introduced new Cedi notes in 1983 to replace the old ones at a discount of 30% for amounts up to ¢5,000 and 50% for amounts in excess of ¢5,000. With the instability and struggle for power, inflation set in and higher currency denominations were gradually added to this existing currency between 1986 and 2002.

THE RE-DENOMINATION OF THE CEDI

Till 1982, the highest denomination of the Cedi was the ¢50 note. With instability and inflation of the new currency, higher denominations of ¢500, ¢1000, ¢2000, ¢5000, ¢10,000 and ¢20,000 were introduced. The introduction of the denominations of ¢1000 and larger from 1991, gradually phased out all prior Cedi denominations from 1983. By 2007, the lowest Cedi note in circulation was ¢1000 so in July 2007, the government re-denominated the cedi such that ¢10,000 = GH¢1, ¢20,000 = GH¢2 etc. So in 2007 the new GH¢1, GH¢2, GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20 and GH¢50 notes were introduced. With the rising national debt and soaring levels of inflation, GH¢100 and GH¢200 notes were introduced on 29th November 2019.

(Note: Be sure to check our multiple slides of the evolution of the Ghana currency from the cowery shells, through the colonial era till our modern day notes and their exchange rates).

3. GHANA'S HAS NOT HAD POLITICAL UNREST SINCE 1981

In the fun fact #3, we followed the changes of the Ghana currency which was tied to Ghana's instability and various struggles for power in the 20th Century. After independence in 1957, Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah had The National Flag of Ghana designed by Mrs. Theodosia Salome Okoh to replace the flag of the United Kingdom, and declared the nation a Republic and a one party system. This caused tension and led to the military overthrow of Nkrumah and his Republic of Ghana in 1966. A similar military coup will take place under Prime Minister Busia just 6 years later, and again in 1979 under Hilla Limann, and one more time in 1981 when the PNDC led by John Jerry Rawlings toppled the 3rd Republic in a military Coup, creating the 4th Republic of Ghana. However, Ghana is still considered one of Africa's safest and most stable nations because that was the last incidence of widespread civil unrest in Ghana till date. In 1992, democratic elections with term limits were instituted in Ghana for the first time. After J. J. Rawlings served his 2 consecutive terms till 2000, the first peaceful political transition took place in 2001 with President John Agyekum Kuffour taking over as Ghana's newly elected president, guiding Ghana through immense economic growth until 2008.

4. WORLD HERITAGE SITES: THERE ARE OVER 30 SLAVE FORTS & CASTLES IN GHANA

Throughout Ghana's history, several events have occurred that led to the creation and destruction of symbols and monuments representing those events. For example, over 40 forts and castles were built along the coast of Ghana during the slave trade. About 75% of them remain in some form or another, yet very few are well known and recognized. In fact, unlike how most European monuments are listed individually within their cities, UNESCO lists all these as 1 site. Consequently, there are only 2 vaguely categorized heritage sites from Ghana:

1. The Forts and Castles along the coast of Ghana from Beyin in the Western Region to Keta in the Volta Region (which spans over 537 kilometers / 334 mi), and

2. The ten remaining Asante Traditional Buildings in and around Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region (which is about 9,417 mi² in area).

   
   

THE FORTS AND CASTLES

These fortified trading posts, founded between 1482 and 1882, were built and occupied at different times by merchants from Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Germany (Prussia) and Great Britain. Many of the forts underwent various transformations during their successive use by the European colonizers. Though over 40 forts and castles were built and rebuilt, the above are all that remain.

THE REMAINS OF THE ASHANTI EMPIRE

The second cluster of monuments that are recognized collectively as a single heritage site are The remaining10 Traditional buildings of the Asante Empire. The buildings are located in the north-east of present-day Kumasi. The dwellings are made of earth, wood and straw. These buildings served as fetish houses and shrines during the 18th and 19th centuries, during the golden age of the Ashanti Empire. During the British occupation of the area from 1806 to 1901, most Asante buildings of the period were destroyed. These are the last material remains of the great Asante Empire.

5. THERE ARE OVER 80 LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN GHANA

Ghana is a multicultural society with a rich diversity of more than 100 ethnic groups, over 80 languages, and a number religions. Christianity is the most prevalent religion, followed by Islam, traditional religions, and other faiths. The major ethnic groups include the Akan, Mole-Dagbon, Ewe, and Ga-Dangme. This diversity contributes to the country's rich cultural tapestry and vibrant festivals. Though many languages are spoken within Ghana, Akan is the most widely spoken; however, English is the official language used in government and education. There are other unspoken local modes of communication like Talking Drums and Ghanaian Sign Language. Traditional Ghanaians are also able to communicate over long distances with Talking Drums which involves drumming patterns that mimic the tone and rhythm of spoken language. This is how messages were passed from town to town between the 15th Century and the 19th Century. Meanwhile Ghanaian Sign Language is a distinct and vibrant language that incorporates elements of American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and indigenous Ghanaian signs.

6. GHANA'S NATIONAL AND TRADITIONAL SYMBOLS

GHANA'S NATIONAL ANIMAL

The National animal of Ghana is Tawny Eagle also known as the Golden Eagle. This eagle symbolizes pride and strength, and is visible on our coat of arms. This feature in the national coat of arms means the Tawny Eagle is also featured our national currency, national passports and within all the logos of our governmental institutions and their official buildings.

GHANA'S COAT OF ARMS

The upper left of the shield depicts the sword and staff used by chiefs and linguists at ceremonies. It is a symbol for the traditional authority of Ghana.

The upper right illustrates the Osu Castle (Built in 1660) which served as the Seat of Government till 2007 and symbolizes the national government.

The bottom left shows a cacao tree, producer of one of Ghana's premier exports and embodies the agricultural wealth of Ghana.

The bottom right shows a gold mine, which stands for the richness of industrial minerals and natural resources in Ghana. A gold lion centered on a green St George’s Cross with gold fimbriation on the field of blue, represents the continuing link between Ghana and the Commonwealth of Nations.

The crest is a Black star of Africa with gold outline, upon a torse in the national colours. The black star also appears in Ghana's national flag and on Ghana's Black Star Monument represents African freedom and unity. It was adopted from the Black Star Line, a shipping line established by Marcus Garvey to promote trade and unity among people of African descent.

Supporting the shield are two golden Tawny eagles, with the Order of the Star of Ghana suspended from their necks. The compartment upon which the supporters stand is composed of a grassy field, under which a scroll bears the national motto of Ghana: Freedom and Justice.

GHANA'S NATIONAL FLOWER

The national flower of Ghana is the Impala Lily (also known as the Desert Rose or the Dry Season Bloom), which is also known by its scientific name, the Adenium obesum. This pink and white flower has thick, tuberous stems that help it survive long periods without water. In nature, the plant reproduces through seeds, which have silky hairs that help disperse the seeds by wind. The Impala lily is a source of arrow poison and fish poison. It is a cultural symbol that inspires community, spirituality, art, and protection.

GHANA'S ADINKRA SYMBOLS

The first reference to the Akan Adinkra Symbols dates back to the late 1700s. The symbols were utilized by the Bono people of Gyaman who inhabited the present day border of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. These symbols existed individually as cultural symbols well before the 1800s but were compiled by the King of Gyaman, Nana Kwadwo Agyemang Adinkra, who named the symbols after himself. Many Adinkra symbols use radial or reflective symmetry and express deeply symbolic proverbs related to life, death, wisdom, and human behavior. There are currently over 200 Adinkra symbols with some symbols being lost to time.

Adinkra symbols are traditional Akan motifs used to convey various local meanings and proverbs. These unique symbols of rich cultural significance each carry a specific meaning and serve as a visual representation of local concepts and aphorisms. These symbols are often incorporated into traditional and cultural artifacts like our Ghanaian pottery, architecture, sculptures, paintings, and textiles. They are also used as as a form of communication and expression.

7. GHANA HAS THE LARGEST ARTIFICIAL LAKE IN THE WORLD

Ghana's Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake by surface area, covering about 8,502 square kilometers. It was created as a result of the construction of the hydroelectric Dam on the Volta River by the Nkrumah administration in 1965. The damming of the Volta River was done several kilometres south in the township of Akosombo. The lake is vital for transportation, fishing, and power in the region. Even after 59 years, this dam is still the vital source of hydroelectric power for over 65% of the country.

8. GHANA HAS A SPACE PROGRAM

The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) was opened officially on 2 May 2012 as Ghana’s first space science, space exploration, astronomy and technology space agency. Ghana also has a space program that launched a satellite, GhanaSat-1 into orbit from the International Space Station, on July 7 2017. The program was successfully developed by students at the All Nations University in Koforidua led in part by Dr. Richard Damoah, director of the Space Systems and Technology Lab developed the satellite as part of a two-year, collaborative project between ANUC and Kyushu Institute of Technology in Fukuoka, Japan. GhanaSat-1 is the first private university satellite developed in Sub-Saharan Africa. GhanaSat-1, a CubeSat satellite equipped with low- and high-resolution cameras as well as other technology, will be used to measure atmospheric density and monitor Ghana’s coastline for mapping purposes.

9. GHANAIAN NAMING TRADITIONS

As we learnt in Fact #5, there are over 100 ethnic groups in Ghana. Each of these ethnic groups has a unique naming tradition which incorporates some combination of the following naming systems: religious / praise naming, naming according to birth order, naming according to the birth of twins, naming according to the day of the week, naming according to the conditions and circumstances of birth, inherited naming according to other members of the family, naming according to the specific family and their status within the tribe, English / Christian naming, naming according to parents hope for their child, and names that are derivatives of common positive phrases; nouns; adjectives or compound words (either in the local dialect or in English). Traditionally, most tribes have the naming ceremony/ "outdooring" 7-8 days after the birth of the child. Some tribes believe that the name of the child affects their attitude and destiny, whereas others choose the name based on the perceived traits of the child within those first days. However, in some tribes, the purpose of waiting 7-8 days after the birth of a child is to ensure they have come to stay on earth and will not prematurely return to the land of the ancestors. Until that day, the child is regarded as a "stranger". The nuances of traditional naming within each tribe reflects the cultural importance of names in Ghanaian society.

Traditional Ghanaians can determine a persons hometown, day of birth, birth order, family history and birth circumstances from the full local name of a child who is named according to the culture.

10. GHANAIAN FANTASY COFFINS

In Ghana, funerals are more than just rites of passage; they are vibrant celebrations of a person's life. For non-Muslim Ghanaians, honoring the deceased through celebration is an essential cultural tradition, and one of the most distinctive elements is the use of "fantasy coffins." These coffins are intricately designed to symbolize the interests, profession, personality, or aspirations of the deceased, taking on shapes ranging from vehicles to animals. While they are visually striking, these coffins are fully functional, crafted to bring to life the burial vision of the deceased or their loved ones. Beyond honoring the dead, fantasy coffins also serve as a status symbol, reflecting the life and occupation of the departed. The concept is rooted in the belief that life continues after death, and burying someone in a coffin that represents their profession or passion ensures they remember their origins and the legacy they've left behind.

BONUS: GHANA SHARES MANY SIMILARITIES WITH HER EX-COLONIZER

Due to intersections in history, its no surprise that Ghana and her ex-colonizer Great Britain, share a number of things like the predominant religion of Christianity, the same timezone (GMT, official language, private school syllabi, elements of their local sign language, architecture, and more. However they are also coincidentally similar in size. Ghana measures at about 92,098 mi² while Great Britain measures at 94,058 mi². Although Ghana and the Britain are similar in size, Ghana has a population of 32.8 million compared to Britains population of 66.9 million.

(Note: Though Great Britain is often confused with the UK, Britain is a large island on which most of England, Scotland, and Wales are located whereas the UK is spread across multiple islands and consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.)

There are many other jaw-dropping facts, vibrant experiences and hidden treasures that highlight the uniqueness and charm of Ghana. In a country where ancient traditions coexist with modernity, Ghana never fails to surprise and intrigue visitors with its extraordinary customs and beliefs. From its fascinating cultural traditions to its numerous ancient forts and castles, these lesser-known facts about Ghana showcase its rich diversity, culture, history, and innovation. Ghana continues to surprise and intrigue those who delve deeper into its story. Next time you find yourself exploring Ghana, keep these fun and obscure facts in mind to deepen your appreciation for this extraordinary country. Check back again in 2 weeks for new articles or updates to old articles. Till then remember that "life is for living so live it up!"