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General Information
takes place during the European summer months
from April to September, peaking in June and July.
The harmattan winds are another noteworthy phe-
nomenon in Ghana. They blow from the Northeast
during the dry season and bring dust from the Sa-
hara, which can reduce visibility to as little as 1km.
They generally come in late November or early De-
cember and continue until some time in March
Fort Sebastian
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
In 2010, the population reached 24 million inhabit-
ants, with 60% of people between 15 and 64 years
old and more than 37% under the age of 15, only
leaving 3% above 65 years old. The majority of
the population is concentrated in the southern and
central parts of the country with the Greater Accra
Region being the most densely populated, as well
as cocoa production areas. On the contrary, the
northern regions hold only 25% of Ghana’s popula-
tion, despite covering more than 40% of the national
surface area.
The Ghanaian population is divided into more than
100 ethnic groups, among which the Akan ethnic-
ity is the biggest representing almost 50% of the
population, followed by the Mole-Dagbon with 15%.
These people are diverse in their personality, cul-
tural and historical backgrounds, welded effectively
into a unitary state. The reason for this diversity is
most likely due to the migration of ethnic groups from
other places to settle on the land. The predominantly
vivacious spirit of the people is clearly manifested in
their music and dance, which are clearly inseparable
from their daily life. The proverbial Ghanaian hospi-
tality radiates in the welcoming smiles on the faces
of the people, and their cries of “Akwabaa”, which
translates as “You are welcome”.
The moral, social and political authority of the tribal
chiefs continues to be recognised by the Ghanaian
government. There have been various parliamentary
acts and decrees aimed at defining and guarantee-
ing the chief’s functions since the creation of the
State of Ghana. A 1972 decree ratified the previ-
ously approved creation of a national parliament of
chiefs, which heads the regional associations. As a
result, the chiefs in all regions hold responsibilities at
various levels: in the traditional local councils in the
smaller settlements, in the regional associations and
even in the national parliament. They also serve as
government consultants for the revision of traditional
laws.
In his community, a chief enjoys the rank of impor-
tance corresponding to his personal worth. Ideally,
he remains the social and political leader of his town
or region and is responsible for its development
and organization. Every chief is also in charge of
organising the various traditional festivals in his re-
gion. These are opportunities for all the members
of a community to meet and often an occasion for
the reconciliation of disputes that have occurred
throughout the year.
Ghanaian cultural history is like a cloth woven from
many multi-coloured threads forming diverse pat-
terns, which incorporate an older traditional element
originating from the indigenous West African situa-
tion, with a Mediterranean and Oriental blend as well
as European and New World elements. However,
pure indigenous traditions still survive as an active
core in national modern lifestyle, in spite of the mix-
ture born of dynamic historical and cultural transfor-
mations. The Ghanaian traditional culture is mani-
fested in ideologies and concepts such as religion,
philosophy, cosmology, socio-political ideology, art,
as well as in media of technology. The main artwork
and crafts are pottery, metal works, beadwork, weav-
ing, basketry, leatherwork, dyeing and carving.
Verbal and emotional expression is realised through
songs and rhythmic throbbing of drums and percus-
sion which lead to dance as an intertwined form of
dramatic expression. Three main types of music
characterize Ghana. There is the traditional or ethnic
music, which is usually played during festivals and
at funerals. Secondly there is the “high-life” music,
which is essentially vocal music performed by dance
and guitar bands during day-to-day recreational ac-
tivities. The third type of music is the choral music,
which is more oriented to the concert hall, the church
and educational institutions.