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Ghana, Africa Mission Trips
Youth Group
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Through Jesus, we simply offer hope in a bleak existence, and minister through friendship and compassion to some who haven't eaten for a while. We'll work with pastors in four rural villages less than an hour from the capital city of Accra, and at the mission base with a host pastor.
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Information specific to the ministry opportunities
in this location may be viewed
by selecting a trip date below.
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| Location Information
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Location Description:
Ghana was initially a British Gold Coast colony. It borders Côte d'Ivoire on the west, Burkina Faso on the north, Togo on the east, and the Atlantic Ocean on the south. About a fourth of the country is forest, and a fourth farmland.
(www.encyclopedia.com, www.encarta.msn.com)
Accra, the capital of Ghana, is the largest city and its administrative, communications, and economic center. The site of present-day Accra developed into a sizable town around British and Dutch forts built in the 17th century. In 1877, Accra replaced Cape Coast as the capital of the British Gold Coast colony. After the completion of a railroad to the mining and agricultural hinterland, Accra became the economic center of Ghana.
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accra%2C_Ghana)
Weather:
Ghana has a tropical climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The north has a rainy season from March to November, with a dry season in the remaining months. The south has two rainy seasons, one from April to July and the other from September to November.
(www.encarta.msn.com)
Area Attractions:
Blending big-city bustle and African ease, Ghana's seaside capital of Accra is home to Christianborg Castle, built by the Danes in the 17th century. The cental Makola Market brims with glass bead and batik sellers, while Kaneshie Market on the west side has mouthwatering foods and spices.
A huge military parade ground, Independence Square, is to Accra what Red Square is to Moscow. The coastal area west of Accra has old slave-trading forts and fishing villages, beaches, and a new nature reserve. You can visit 15 forts and castles, and actually sleep in one for about $2 per night.
Some 22 miles north of Cape Coast, the Kakum Nature Park features dense vegetation packed with monkeys, elephants, antelope, and over 200 species of birds.
(www.lonelyplanet.com)
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| People, Culture and Religion
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Although Enlish is Ghana's official language, it has four main ethnolinguistic groups: Akan (Ashanti and Fanti), Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, and Ga-Adangme.
Ghana has a very diverse culture. Some of the important art forms are weaving and carving. The Ashanti people are known for their wooden stools, and the famous Kente cloth was initially made by Ashanti weavers.
Music and dance are frequently practiced at marriages, funerals, and other ceremonies. Ghana’s most famous music comes from "talking drums" which imitate the tonal patterns of the language. Ghana also has another very popular type of dancing music called highlife.
Around 25% of the people are Christians, 30% are Muslims, and the remainder follow traditional religions. A traditional religion is usually based on a belief in a supreme being, family ancestors, lesser gods, witches, and other spiritual beings.
(www.encarta.com, www.encyclopedia.com)
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook)
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| Government and Economy
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Ghana’s government is a constitutional democracy, with a head of state, parliament, and supreme court. Independence Day is March 6, 1957.
Ghana's economy is based primarily on agriculture. Cocoa exports, as well as gold and timber, are the most profitable. Ghana’s national currency is the cedi. There are 6,895.77 cedis to one U.S. dollar.
(www.encarta.com, www.encyclopedia.com)
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook)
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| Statistics
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Population:
20,244,154 - Ghana
(www.encarta.msn.com)
1,661,400 - Accra (2001)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accra%2C_Ghana) |
Poverty Rate:
31.4% live below the poverty line.
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook)
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Literacy Rate:
64.5% over the age of 15 can read and write.
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook)
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Average Annual Income:
$350 U.S.
(news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles) |
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