A
Journey In The Gold Coast
In Ghana ~ by Junfil
N. Olarte
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Accra–Ghana
2nd–19th
August 2004
It was breezy
late afternoon as I descended – boarding EK 781 – in the fertile soil of
Ghana, a country in Western Africa. Indeed, it was my first visit to an
entirely Black African nation with hospitable people. The uniqueness of
humidity caught my attention next as we steered through traffic. Accompanied
by my Ghanaian lawyer from the airport going to the place I was to stay.
Ghana has a
typical tropical climate: two rainy seasons in the northern part from March
to June, and September until November; and two dry seasons, the first starts
in July and ends in August; the other begins in December and ends in February.
The coastal belt of the east is warm and comparatively dry, whilst the
southwest is hot and humid including the rainforest areas.
Ghana has 18.4
million people (2004 Census), Ghana has an area of 91,843 sq. miles and
is located just north of the equator. Its neighboring countries are the
Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Togo to the east and Upper Volta to the
north and northwest. Half of Ghana is at least 500 ft. above sea level;
it stretches from the Gulf of Guinea to the edge of the Sahara Desert. |
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Junfil
and Ghanaian hotel manager
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The Gold Coast
(Ghana’s colonial name) was a British protectorate. Accra, the capital,
is one of Africa’s popular cities with a population of 2.3 million people.
The name Ghana was chosen for the Gold Coast on the presumption that at
least a few of the Ghanaians were descended from inhabitants of the ancient
Kingdom of Ghana, which had existed in Western Sudan (now Mauritania and
Mali) in the 10th century. Despite its numerous ethnic divisions and languages
that include 56 dialects, English is chosen as the official and commercial
language. Among Ghana’s important linguistic tribal groups are the Akans,
Fanti,
Ashanti, Guans, Ga and the Ewe – speaking people.
The Ga, Akwapim and
Nzima (a group of tribes in the
south) harmoniously created a strong tribal union; the British introduced
modern education, commerce and administration in the southern districts
of the country. Also, southern ethnic groups were politcally united with
the result that modernization occured much more quickly in the south than
in other regions of Ghana.
Ghana is a
tourist nation with a mixed culture of African and European. Several transients
from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands and other countries across Europe
used to visit this country for recreational tours and sightseeing. The
famous Cape Coast and the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1842
(first among such castles along the coast), commemorates the historical
trading of gold dust and permanent trading base of the Portuguese. The
gold trade was later replaced by the trading of other lucrative commodities
– slaves. Nonetheless, Ghana still has a plethora of gold, manganese, diamond,
bauxite, and is also one of the largest cocoa producers in the world.
In the 18th
century, the British, Dutch, Portuguese along with other countries in Europe
regimented certain areas of the coast. And later in the 19th century, withdrew
its trade interests with the exception of the British who took full control
of the coast and became involved in series of wars with the Ashanti tribe,
the largest in Ghana. The illegal trade of slaves was termminated by the
British Government in 1807. Ghana was then named Gold Coast Colony by the
British: it was annexed to the British Crown in 1886 during the time of
Queen Victoria.
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Photo
of Historical Cape Coast
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Culture
And Currency
I was taking
my meal in the hotel’s restaurant, when some European guests joined my
table and conversed with me. Among them were a Dutchman, 2 Belgian ladies,
and a French linguist. We sojourned in the same hotel and shared each other’s
perspectives about Ghana during dinner. I found out that they came often
to Ghana to visit. Aside from having leisure and recreation, they found
Ghana to be very safe. Ghana is a peace–loving and free country. Its people
have affluent self–values, hospitality, respect and humility. Culture is
well–kept and preserved and family ties remain very important. Thus, it
is an attractive destination for many tourists and visitors all across
Europe and the States. Cedi is the currency as US$ 1.00 is equivalent to
8,913.00 to 9,000.00 Cedis, while selling paced to 9,200.00 Cedis.
From my time
spent in Accra, I was very impressed with the people and the country; during
my stay I made many friends, and enjoyed the personalties of the people
of Ghana: the people of Ghana are very friendly. |
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Festivals
in Ghana are marked with beach parties, for example, on New Year’s Day
and the Rice Festival at Akpafu in the Volta region. Most Ghanaians are
Christians, at least 69% of the population, 16% of the population are Moslems,
while the rest of the population is still practicing traditional religions.
Parliamentary democracy is the system of governance, as mining, lumber,
cocoa and light manufacturing are the major industries; the U.S., U.K.,
Germany, France, Japan and South Korea are the major trading partners.
The major ethnic
groups; Akan 44%; Yoruba 1%; Moshi-Dagomba 16%; Ewe 13%; Ga 8%; Gurma 8%;
European & other 1.5%, lead to one Ghana Republic with FREEDOM and
JUSTICE declared on its sovereign will. Places of interest such as the
Cape Coast and the Elmina Castle are situated along the Central Region
of the country. Transients and visitors, however, are required to have
a visa with an exemption to those citizens belonging to the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS); such as Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and
Mali, which only requires valid Identification upon entry.
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| Present–Day
Menace And Threat
Ghana has a
stable economy unlike other African States. This is according to a reliable
source of information relayed to me by one of the important personalities
of the nation. However, risk in Ghana must be given great importance especially
to visitors and tourists. At least 20 persons every 24 hours are being
infected with HIV in Ghana.
Rampant and
unbridled AIDS in Africa is, indeed, one of the indecipherable predicaments
of the regime particularly in the AIDS-affected countries. Furthermore,
the Ghanaian Government with the support of the Ministry of Health is engaged
in a strong campaign against AIDS. It is then extremely important to every
vistor and foreigner in this country to be cautious and wary and to avoid
harm; and to take precautions againist this fatal and morbid malady. |
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| Junfil
N. Olarte, 26 Years Old Licensed Aeronautical Engineering Technician
and Freelance Writer; former Circulation Manager of “The Simbalagon Journal
Publication, Ozamiz City, 7200 Philippines.” To contact Junfil Click
Here |
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