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51-594: The Ghanaian people are a nation originating in the Ghanaian Gold Coast . Ghanaians predominantly inhabit the Republic of Ghana and are the predominant cultural group and residents of Ghana, numbering 34 million people as of 2024, making up 85% of the population. The word "Ghana" means "warrior king". An estimated diaspora population of 4 million people worldwide are of Ghanaian descent. The term ethnic Ghanaian may also be used in some contexts to refer to

102-777: A Ghanaian Akan subgroup who live in Eastern Suriname and west of French Guiana and speak the Ndyuka language , a sub-language of the Akan language . They were shipped as imported labourers slaves from the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) to Suriname about 300 years ago to work on Dutch-owned plantations. Ndyukas or Aukans are subdivided into the Opu , who live upstream of the Tapanahony River of southeastern Suriname, and

153-744: A colony in the area in 1682. It later became the Prussian Gold Coast. In 1721 the Dutch purchased it. The Swedish Gold Coast settlements date to 1650. The Danes arrived in 1663 and later seized the Swedish territory and incorporated it into the Danish Gold Coast . In 1850 all of the settlements became part of the British Gold Coast. In 1774 a London commercial expert references a witness that "the king of Guinea,

204-491: A disparity in earnings, receiving a daily average of 6,280 cedis compared to 8,560 cedis received by men, according to the Ghana Living Standards Survey. Women are flourishing in teaching professions. Early 1990s' data showed that about 19 % of the instructional staff at the nation's three universities in 1990 was female. Of the teaching staff in specialized and diploma-granting institutions, 20%

255-646: A group of related ethnic groups native to the Gold Coast. The ethnogenesis of Ghanaians is traced back to nomadic migration from Nubia along the Sahara desert then south to the Gold Coast, and the Ghanaian ethnogenesis taking place on the Ghanaian Gold Coast region from the 10th to 16th century AD. Early Ghanaians were involved in a lucrative trade with gold bars and other natural minerals to

306-400: A national level. Ghanaian music incorporates several distinct types of instruments, including talking drums , the atenteben and koloko lute, the atumpan, and log xylophones used in asonko music. The most well-known genre to come from Ghana is highlife . Highlife originated in the late 19th century and early 20th century. In the 1990s, a new genre of music, hiplife , was created through

357-557: A single language. They are supported by the Bureau of Ghana Languages , which was established in 1951 and publishes materials in the languages; during the periods when Ghanaian languages were used in primary education, these were the languages which were used. All these languages belong to the Niger–Congo language family , though to several different branches. Akan , part of the Kwa branch of

408-637: A trace of the language in West Nigeria. Out of the many dialects of Ewe spoken in Ghana, the major ones are Anlo, Tongu, Vedome, Gbi, and Krepi. Dagbani is one of the Gur languages . It is the most spoken language in Northern Ghana. The number of native speakers numbers more than three million, This number will reach six million if dialects such as Nanumba, Mamprusi and Kamara are added. It belongs to

459-910: Is also spoken in Burkina Faso . By 1998, Kasem had around 250,000 speakers, divided between Ghana (130,000) and Burkina Faso (120,000). It's alternatively known as Kasena, Kasim, Kassem, Kasɩm, or Kassena. Gonja is one of the Guang languages , part of the Tano languages within the Kwa branch along with Akan and Bia. It is spoken in the Northern Region of Ghana and Wa. "Gonja" comes from "Kada Goro-Jaa" in Hausa, signifying "land of Red Cola." Ghana has over 285,000 Gonja people. This chart reflects data provided by Ethnologue . The language of Ghana belong to

510-628: Is another of the Gur languages. It is spoken in the Upper West Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in Burkina Faso . Waali, spoken by the Wala people, and the Dagaare language are languages that can be understood by each other's speakers. Ga is the other Ga–Dangme language within the Kwa branch. Ga is spoken in south-eastern Ghana, in and around the capital Accra. It is a Niger-Congo language in

561-772: Is dominated by association football represented by the Ghana Premier League and the Ghana national football team . The rich culture in Ghana led to the annual festival held at the capital region, Greater Accra at the James Town township which is celebrated along with the Homowo festival. This new festival called Chale Wote has caught the eyes of many who seek to experience the true Ghanaian culture and festival for themselves. In Ghanaian society polygyny – marriages in which men are permitted to have more than one wife at

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612-404: Is fervent in its stance that the social and economic well-being of women, who compose slightly more than half of the nation's population, cannot be taken for granted. The Council sponsored a number of studies on women's work, education, and training, and on family issues that are relevant in the design and execution of policies for the improvement of the condition of women. Among these considerations

663-501: Is subject to the authority of a different household head, and because spouses are always members of different lineages, each is ultimately subject to the authority of the senior men of his or her lineage. The wife, as an outsider in the husband's family, would not inherit any of his property, other than that granted to her by her husband as gifts in token appreciation of years of devotion. The children from this matrilineal marriage would be expected to inherit from their mother's family. Today,

714-669: The Bilo , who live downstream of that river. They further subdivide themselves into 14 matrilinear kinship groups called lo . Ghana's cultural diversity is most evident in cuisine, arts, literature, heritage, music, dance, clothing, and sports. Kente is a Ghanaian ceremonial cloth traditionally used as the national costume. Kente is hand-woven on a horizontal treadle loom in strips measuring about 4 inches wide, which are sewn together into larger pieces of cloth. Cloths come in various colours, sizes and designs, which have different meanings, and are worn on important social occasions. During

765-559: The Portuguese in 1471; these Ghanaian states were among the wealthiest on the African continent from the 17th century onwards, following successful further expansion of lucrative Ghanaian gold bars trading to the Dutch , Prussian and Scandinavians from the 16th century through to the 20th century. Early Ghanaians established a number of powerful kingdoms and empires from the 10th to 17th century, some of which became great powers in

816-423: The 13th century, Ghanaians developed their unique art of adinkra printing. Notable Ghanaian authors include novelists Ayi Kwei Armah ( The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born ), Ama Ata Aidoo ( Our Sister Killjoy: or Reflections from a Black-eyed Squint ) and J. E. Casely Hayford , author of Osiris Rising . In addition to novels, other literary genres such as theatre and poetry have been well developed at

867-731: The Ashanti Crown Colony, the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast Protectorate and British Togoland were united as an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations under the name Ghana . Languages of Ghana Ghana is a multilingual country in which about eighty languages are spoken. Of these, English, which was inherited from the colonial era, is the official language and lingua franca . Of

918-663: The Ghana Armed Forces. On 7 January 2017, Nana Akufo-Addo took office as President. Gold Coast (region) The Gold Coast was the name for a region on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa that was rich in gold , petroleum , sweet crude oil and natural gas . This former region is now known as the country Ghana . The Gold Coast, Slave Coast , Pepper Coast (or Grain Coast) and Ivory Coast were named after

969-503: The Ghanaian government declared its intention to make French one of Ghana's official languages due to the country being surrounded by Francophone countries ( Burkina Faso to a lesser extent, the Ivory Coast and Togo ) and the presence of a French speaking minority in the country. The number of government-sponsored languages is either eleven or nine, depending on whether or not Akuapem Twi , Asante Twi , and Fante are considered

1020-466: The Gold Coast after it won independence. Currently, the most significant immigrant populations in Ghana are Africans from other countries on the continent, Asians ( Indians and Chinese ), some of them Europeans (Britons, Portuguese , Dutch , French, Italians , Latin Americans, Poles, Scandinavians , and Germans ), and Middle Easterners, particularly Lebanese and Syrians. The Ghanaian nationalism

1071-400: The Gold Coast, which refused to cooperate with the colonial authorities and which led to the achievement of Ghanaian independence and the opposition to the 1951 Constitution , in which Nkrumah was incarcerated together with his collaborators. On 8 February 1951, the first elections in the history of the Gold Coast were held; Nkrumah's win was confirmed on 12 February 1951. Ghanaian nationalism

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1122-611: The Kwa branch, spoken by around 600,000 people in Ghana. Six separate towns comprised the Ga-speaking peoples: Accra, Osu, Labadi, Teshi, Nungua, and Tema. Each town had a central stool of importance in Ga traditions. Accra, among these towns, rose to prominence and now serves as Ghana's capital. Nzema is one of the Bia languages , closely related to Akan. It is spoken by the Nzema people in

1173-609: The NCWD stressed family planning, child care, and female education as paramount. In 2007, the government of Ghana took legal proceedings to prosecute men who abuse their women. In 1966, Nkrumah was deposed, after which Ghana entered a period of military rule. On 31 December 1981, the regime led by Flight lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings installed the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), of which he became chairman. In 1992, Rawlings retired from

1224-507: The Niger–Congo family, is a dialect continuum , but with regard to official status, only a few out of the many varieties of Akan are recognised: Fante , Asante Twi , Akuapem Twi . Taken as a whole, Akan is the most-widely spoken language in Ghana. Ewe is a Gbe language , part of the Volta–Niger branch of the Niger–Congo family. The Ewe Language is spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin with

1275-571: The Western Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in the Ivory Coast . Nzema, also known as Appolo, is mainly spoken in Ghana's Jomoro district and Ivory Coast's Comoé district. In 2004, it had around 330,000 speakers. The Nzema language utilizes a Latin-based script and comprises a total of twenty-four alphabetic characters. Kasem is a Gurunsi language , in the Gur branch. It is spoken in the Upper Eastern Region of Ghana. It

1326-594: The combination of highlife, Afro-reggae, dancehall and hip hop . Hiplife is the most popular Ghanaian music, followed by the other genre of Ghanaian music, highlife . Ghanaian dance is globally well known and performed worldwide. The dances are varied and may involve complex and co-ordinated movement of the arms, torso, hips, feet and head, performed to different Ghanaian music forms for entertainment, celebrating at festivals, and other occasions. Some popular dances include Adowa and Azonto . Other traditional dances from Ghana are Kpanlogo , Klama and Bamaya. Sports in Ghana

1377-555: The first Constitution of Ghana ; the British monarch ceased to be head of state , and Ghana became a republic . Approximately 5 % of Ghanaian citizens live in rural areas and 95 % in urban areas. The rate of urbanization estimated for the period 2010–2015 is 4 % per annum, one of the highest among developing countries . Ghanaian Arabs are Ghanaians and citizens of Arab origin or descent. Ghanaian Arabs are mainly from Lebanon , Syria and Arab Maghreb . Ghana has

1428-565: The greatest city in all the countries of Negroland, has a mass of gold of thirty pounds weight as it was naturally produced in the mines which is completely pure, tough and malleable without having been smelted". The British had taken over all of Gold Coast by 1871. They captured more territory inland in the late 19th century after the Anglo-Ashanti wars . In 1957, the territory comprising the Gold Coast Crown Colony,

1479-447: The languages indigenous to Ghana, Akan is the most widely spoken in the south. Dagbani , Dagare, Sisaala, Waale, and Gonja are among the most widely spoken in the northern part of the country. Ghana has more than seventy ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language. Languages that belong to the same ethnic group are usually mutually intelligible. The Dagbanli , Nanumba and Mamprusi languages of Northern Region , are almost

1530-602: The larger Mole–Dagbani ethnic group found in Ghana and makes up about 18.5% of the population . It is spoken by Dagombas in the Northern Region of Ghana . Dangme is one of the Ga–Dangme languages within the Kwa branch. It is spoken in Greater Accra, in south-east Ghana and Togo. Dangme is a West African Kwa language spoken in Ghana, and it has been gaining popularity among Ghana residents. Dagaare

1581-1221: The largest Arab population in western Africa. Ghanaian Indians are Ghanaians and citizens of Indian origin or descent. Many Ghanaian Indians are descendants of those who migrated from India following India's partition in 1947. There are 3–4 million Ghanaians in the diaspora . Ghanaian Australians are dual citizens with Australia and residents of Ghanaian origin and descent. More than 50% of all Ghanaian-born Australians live in Sydney , New South Wales . Ghanaian Americans are dual citizens with America and residents of Ghanaian origin and descent. Ghanaian Canadians are dual citizens with Canada and residents of Ghanaian origin and descent. Ghanaian British are dual citizens with Britain and residents of Ghanaian origin and descent. Ghanaian New Zealanders are dual citizens with New Zealand and residents of Ghanaian origin and descent. An estimated 45,000 people of Ghanaian descent reside in Nigeria. Ghanaian South Africans are dual citizens with South Africa and residents of Ghanaian origin and descent. Ndyuka (also spelled "Djuka") or Aukan or Okanisi sama, are

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1632-476: The main export resources found there, respectively. Early uses of the term Gold Coast refer strictly to the coast and not the interior. It was not until the 19th century that the term came to refer to areas that are far from the coast. The Gold Coast was to the east of the Ivory Coast and to the west of the Slave Coast . Gold Coast region territorial entities were: Ghana is the legal name for

1683-492: The military and set up the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and was subsequently elected for two terms as president. In 2002, John Agyekum Kufuor succeeded Rawlings as Ghanaian head of state until the year 2008. Kufuor was replaced as Ghanaian head of state by John Atta Mills until 2012. In 2013, John Dramani Mahama succeeded Mills as the Republic of Ghana President and Commander-in-Chief of

1734-415: The percentage of women in polygynous marriages in Ghana's rural areas (23.9%) is almost double that of women in Ghana's urban areas (12.4%). The age group with the most women in polygynous marriages is 45–49, followed by the 15–19 age group and the 40–44 group. Rates of polygynous marriages decrease as education level and wealth level increase. During 2008–2012, the national literacy rate for women aged 15–24

1785-431: The population. The inhabitants of Ghana possessing Ghanaian passports are 20 million persons, including an additional 3‒4 million persons abroad. Ghana has a diverse population that reflects its colorful history and the peoples who have populated the region from ancient times to the present, with the historic amalgam of the main groups forming the basis of Ghana's current demographics. Native West Africans make up 98% of

1836-632: The population. There is also a new population of Asians , Middle Easterners , Europeans and other recent immigrants . To obtain Ghanaian nationality , one must be naturalized after seven years of Ghana Card permanent residency . The Asians , Middle Easterners and Europeans who have lived in Ghana for most of their lives have acquired Ghanaian citizenship, which is granted without any discrimination. Two thirds, or 67%, of Ghanaians speak English. There are more than 100 ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language. However, languages that belong to

1887-778: The region loosely referred to as the Gold Coast comprising the following four separate parts, which immediately before independence had distinct constitutional positions: The United Kingdom government was responsible for shepherding through the Ghana Independence Act 1957 with Charles Arden-Clarke . Lord Listowel explained that the name was chosen "in accordance with the wishes of the Gold Coastian population". Europeans reached this region of Africa in 1482, and for centuries afterwards, various European empires and trading companies set up trading posts, known as factories there. They used these colonies to exploit

1938-683: The resources rather than to settle large numbers of subjects . The Portuguese Gold Coast was the first claim. The Dutch arrived in 1598 and in 1642 incorporated the Portuguese territory into the Dutch Gold Coast . The Dutch stayed in the region until 1871, when the last of their settlements were taken over by the British Gold Coast . There was also the Brandenburger Gold Coast , which established

1989-529: The rural areas have large productivity in agricultural produce. According to a 2005 Y-DNA study, indigenous Ghanaians in Ghana carry 61% E1b1a . Indigenous Ghanaians also belong to paternal lineages at 2.2% E1a . Indigenous Ghanaians in Ghana are 1.1% E1b1b clade bearers, a haplogroup that is most common in North Africa and the Horn of Africa . West Eurasian haplogroup R1b is present in 1.1% of

2040-604: The same and, are mutually intelligible with the Frafra and Waali languages of the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana . The Mole–Dagbani languages are spoken by more than 20% of the population. Eleven languages have the status of government-sponsored languages: three Akan dialects ( Akuapem Twi , Asante Twi and Fante ) and two Mole–Dagbani languages ( Dagaare and Dagbanli ). The others are Ewe , Dangme , Ga , Nzema , Gonja , and Kasem . In April 2019,

2091-607: The same difference (39.7% vs. 43.6%). As of 2011, women made up 66.9% of economically active population in Ghana. Within the informal sector, women usually work in personal services. There are distinct differences in artisan apprenticeships offered to women and men, as well. Men are offered a much wider range of apprenticeships, such as carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, mechanics, painters, repairers of electrical and electronic appliances , upholsters, metal workers, car sprayers, etc. In contrast, most female artisans are involved in either hairdressing or dressmaking. Women generally experience

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2142-525: The same ethnic group are usually mutually intelligible. There are nine language family groups and 11 languages from these groups are officially sponsored by the government: Akuapem Twi , Asante Twi , Ewe , Fante , Ga , Dangme , Dagbani , Nzema ,ahanta language(ahantas) Dagaare , Gonja and Kasena . During the colonial era, a number of Europeans intermarried with Africans and had offspring, who include such notable Gold Coasters as Carel Hendrik Bartels and James Bannerman . Most European settlers left

2193-542: The same field, which can be linked to restricted professional networks for women because of lingering traditional familial roles. Feminist organizing has increased in Ghana as women seek to obtain a stronger role in the nation's democratic government. In 2004, a coalition of women created the Women's Manifesto for Ghana , a document that demands economic and political equality as well as reproductive health care and other rights. The National Council for Women and Development (NCWD)

2244-412: The same time – has been traditionally practised, especially among well-to-do Ghanaian men. Among matrilineal groups, such as the Akan , married women continued to reside at their maternal homes. Meals prepared by the wife would be carried to the husband at his maternal house. In polygynous situations, visitation schedules would be arranged. The separate living patterns reinforced the idea that each spouse

2295-407: The timespan of 2008–12, there were 4% more females enrolled in preschool than males. Net enrolment and attendance ratios for primary school were both about the same for males and females, net enrollment standing at about 84% and net attendance at about 73 %. Enrolment in secondary school for females was slightly lower than for males (44.4% vs. 48.1%), but female attendance was higher by about

2346-524: The west African region. By 1902, the kingdoms had been annexed by the United Kingdom to the Gold Coast colony following a series of Anglo-Ghanaian conflicts in the 19th century. Ghanaians gained their independence from British colonial rule in 1957, and renamed their sovereign state "Ghana (Warrior King)" because the various Ghanaian kingdoms were a warrior-based society according to contemporary and historical historiography. The Republic of Ghana

2397-414: Was 83.2%, only slightly lower than that for males of the same age group (88.3%). However, literacy rates fluctuate across Ghana country and socioeconomic statuses. By regions of Ghana , literacy rates for females range from 44% to 81%. Women living at the highest socioeconomic status exhibit the highest literacy rates at 85%, while only 31% of women living at the lowest socioeconomic status are literate. Over

2448-448: Was female; elsewhere, corresponding figures were 21% at secondary-school level; 23% at middle-school level, and as high as 42% at primary-school level. Women also dominated the secretarial and nursing professions in Ghana. When women were employed in the same line of work as men, they were paid equal wages, and they were granted maternity leave with pay. However, women in research professions report experiencing more difficulties than men in

2499-633: Was initiated in organisation with the Ghanaian nationlist movement, the Big Six and through the Gold Coast Aborigines' Rights Protection Society ; then strikes and mass riots were formed on the streets of the Gold Coast by its natives for Gold Coast independence, the colonial governor at the time, the Earl of Listowel , proclaimed Gold Coast's independence on 6 March 1957. Nkrumah became the first prime minister . On 1 July 1960, Nkrumah drew up

2550-568: Was suspended by the Ghanaian government during the time of World War II , but was resumed in 1945. The Ghanaians allied with the Allies in World War II. The Fifth Pan-African Congress held in October 1945, served to form the support for the liberalization of Ghanaian colonial domination on 4 August 1947. On 12 June 1949, Kwame Nkrumah , formed the first governing party in the history of

2601-425: Was the first African country to gain independence from European colonial rule. More than 90% of the Ghanaian citizens in Ghana live in urban areas —a figure higher than the world average. The rate of Ghana's population growth is at the world average. Most Ghanaians move to urban areas seeking well-paid jobs. Ghanaians have high level of education in science, technology , mathematics and vocational studies. However,

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