Ghana, a West African country with a unique history and culture, is a fascinating place to visit. It also boasts an abundance of natural resources. Various interesting facts about the country will entice the curious traveler to visit.
Here’s a rundown of some of Ghana’s most fascinating facts:
The World’s Largest Artificial Reservoir
Lake Volta is an artificial reservoir located behind the Akosombo Dam in Ghana. It covers an area of 8,502 square km and is the largest artificial reservoir in the world by surface area.
Rich in Gold and Diamonds
After South Africa, Ghana is Africa’s second-largest and the world’s 7th largest producer of gold.
In 2016, the country exported $2.39 billion worth of gold. No wonder Ghana was previously named the Gold Coast. Besides gold, Ghana is also rich in diamonds.
Exotic Waterfalls
Ghana is endowed with great natural wealth including exotic waterfalls, beaches, caves, rivers, mountains, and more. Waterfalls like the Kintampo waterfalls, Tagbo Falls, and others are very scenic and act as tourist magnets. Most of them are hidden in dense forests and can be accessed by long trails through forested hilly or mountainous terrain.
Second Largest Cocoa Producer
Cocoa is one of the major export products of Ghana. In 2016, Ghana produced cocoa beans, cocoa paste, and cocoa butter worth $2.27 billion, $382 million, and $252 million respectively.
Ghana Is One of Africa’s Most Peaceful Nations
According to the 2018 Global Peace Index, Ghana ranks as the fourth most peaceful country in Africa and the 41st most peaceful one in the world. While many other African countries are engaged in civil wars and wars with neighboring nations, Ghana has been able to maintain a relatively stable peaceful state.
West Africa’s Largest Open-Air Market
The Kejetia Market or Kumasi Central Market located in Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, is West Africa’s biggest open-air market and one of the largest of its kind in the continent. A wide variety of products ranging from diamond and gold jewelry to spices, grains, handicrafts, and more are sold in this market.
The Seat of The Ashanti Empire
The Ashanti Empire was a major African kingdom that occupied the land that now belongs to present-day Ghana and also included some other territories. The Empire is one of the most internationally famous African empires and was extensively studied by the British. Today, however, although Ghana is a presidential democracy, the Ashanti kingdom still survived in the country as a sub-national proto-state that enjoys constitutional protection. This means that Ghana has managed to protect its tradition without losing its democratic nature.
Incredible Ethnic Diversity
There are 6 ethnic groups in Ghana with the largest being the Akan people who constitute about 47.5% of the population. The Mole-Dagbon, Ewe, Ga-Dangme, Gurma, Guang, and Mande are some of the other ethnic communities residing in Ghana.
Adinkra Symbols Feature in Ghanaian Handicrafts
Adinkra is a set of visual symbols created by the Akan people of Ghana that are used even today in the country. These symbols feature on pottery, fabric, logos, woodcarvings, and even walls of homes in Ghana.
Birthplace Of Diverse Music Genre
The music of Ghana is highly diverse and varies both regionally and between distinct ethnic communities. Afro-jazz was invented by Kofi Ghanaba from Ghana. Highlife and hiplife were also invented in the country.