This overview of Ghana was prepared by Michaela B. Baker while an International Management student in the College of Business at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Introduction
Ghana is a small country in Western Africa that offers something for everyone. If you are looking for a place enriched with hospitality, warm weather, and beautiful scenery Ghana is the place to go. Architectural beauty can be found in Accra from several centuries of work. There are also many castles, palaces, kingdoms, and lighthouses to visit such as the Cape Coast Castle which was built for the trade of gold and timber but was later used for the trans-Atlantic slave trade where slaves were housed until they were shipped off. For music lovers, learning authentic African drumming and dancing can be an adventure. The numerous beaches are a great place to relax and have a good time. For nature and wildlife lovers, there are many national parks, conservations, and sanctuaries throughout the country where elephants, hippos, monkeys, birds, and many other animals can be found along with the wetlands, rainforests, and waterfalls. Ghana is a great place to come have an experience of a lifetime.
Country Information
· Geographic Facts
Here are three geographic facts about Ghana:
1. Ghana is located in Western Africa; it is bordering the Gulf of Guinea, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. The surface area of the country is 92,100 sq miles (238,837 sq km); that makes it approximately the size of the state of Oregon.
2. There are two seasons: wet and dry. Rainy season for the north is from March to November while the south is from April to mid-November. It has a warm climate due to being only a few degrees north of the equator.
3. For the most part, the country has flat plains with some low hills. The coastline consists of a sandy shore in which several streams and rivers go through while the north is covered in high plains. The south central and southwest region is covered by a forested plateau which is home of the Kwahu Plateau and Ashanti uplands. The eastern region has hilly ranges where Mount Afadjato, the highest point in Ghana can be found on the Akuapim-Togo ranges.
· 3 “Serious” Facts
Here are three serious facts about Ghana:
1. The area was settled by Africans and Europeans in 1482 but did not have imposed British rule until 1874. On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first colony in sub-Saharan Africa to become independent, in which it broke away from the United Kingdom and finally became a constitutional democracy on April 28, 1992. They are also based on the English common law.
2. Gold has been exported since the medieval times, in which it received its name the Gold Coast. Ghana is presently Africa’s second largest gold producer. They are also Africa’s third largest aluminum and manganese ore producer. Ghana contributes a significant amount to the production of bauxite and diamonds.
3. The flag consists of red, gold, and green with a black star which became their flag in 1957. The red represents all the blood that was shed in order to achieve independence; the gold represents the mineral wealth of the country; the green represents the rich agriculture, and the black star is the symbol of African emancipation.
· 3 “Fun” Facts
Here are three serious facts about Ghana:
1. Ghana is the home of the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Volta. It was created in 1964 through construction of the Akosombo dam. It is an asset for transportation and hydroelectricity and covers over 3200 square miles.
2. Akwaaba is the expression for “Welcome!” It is the Land of Sunshine with the reputation of the friendliest people in Africa, so do not be surprised if you ask someone for directions and they stop what they are doing to show you to your destination, even if it is not close.
3. The word “Ghana” means “warrior king,” which originated from the name of the kings in the Ghana Empire during the medieval times. The Ghana Empire was located 500 miles north west of modern Ghana. The motto of Ghana is “Freedom and Justice.”
· A “Potpourri” Item
Here are some unusual facts about Ghana:
1. The people of Ghana believe in fully utilizing the animals that they kill for food. They eat pretty much all parts of the animal, including the bones. The bones are eaten to get to the bone marrow which is a good source of calcium. The bone marrow has so much calcium since the chickens grow to maturity before they are slaughtered.
2. W.E.B. Du Bois was a leader in the Pan-African movement; the first intergovernmental conference was in Accra, Ghana in 1958. The purpose of this movement was to create independence for African nations while bringing unity among blacks around the world. There is a W.E.B. Du Bois memorial center dedicated to the history of the Pan-African movement and the efforts of W.E.B. Du Bois.
Food Information
Ingredients:
- 2 medium size onions
- 3 medium size gingers
- 2 pieces of garlic
- 3 jalapenos (optional)
- 1 habanero pepper (optional)
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 15 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 pounds of rice
- 2 shrimp cubes or dry shrimp powder
- 1 tsp dry crayfish powder
- All purpose seasoning
- Salt
- Cooking oil
- Vegetables of choice (carrots, corn, peas, etc)
- Meat of choice (optional)
Place a large pot on stove to warm up with approximately 6 table spoons of cooking oil of your choice in the pot. Chop 1 ½ onions, 2 bell peppers, and the 3 gingers to place in a blender with the 2 pieces of garlic, habanero pepper, a jalapeno, a can of crushed tomatoes, can of tomato sauce, 2 shrimp cubes, dry crayfish powder and few dashes of all purpose seasoning. Then blend until in a liquid form and well mixed. Then place the contents from the blender in the pot. Place a lid over the pot to cook the sauce and stir frequently. This will cook for 45 minutes to an hour until it appears to have no water, it should appear to be dry and more like a paste. The rice is then added and stirred into the paste with a little bit of water added. Cover with a lid and place the heat between medium and low then let cook for 30 minutes. Continue to stir while cooking. Once the rice is halfway cooked, place the vegetables of your choice in the dish and add water as needed. Place the lid back on and continue to cook until the rice and vegetables are cooked; this should take about 20 minutes. Once the dish is complete, you may add any cooked meats of your choice such as corned beef or chicken. The key is to add seasoning and pepper to taste.
· My Kitchen Story
I learned about this dish from my boyfriend who had prepared it for me on various occasions. My boyfriend and his sister, whom are both from Ghana, began to teach me how to cook this dish on the night I am about to talk about. The first thing I did was chop the peppers, onions, and ginger. My boyfriend kept telling me to be careful and not cut myself when chopping the ingredients since my chopping skills are limited. I placed the ingredients in the blender and began to blend. Once it starts to blend together, I tasted it to see if anymore ingredients needed to be added to taste. I placed the pot on the burner on high and added the oil. It warmed up and I added the ingredients from the blender in the pot. I stirred about every five to ten minutes; when going to stir I at first left it on the hot burner while stirring. I quickly learned that the mixture would bubble and spill out of the pot to create a mess. Even though I stirred every five to ten minutes it was not enough because the mixture still kept burning on the bottom of the pot. So I had to scrap the bottom of the pot and spoon out the burned parts. So stir more than you normally would to save yourself from scrapping a pot while cooking. I also would taste the mixture as it cooked so I could add any additional seasoning to taste. The sauce mixture continued to cook and then I rinsed the rice to add to the pot. Once again continue to stir. Once the rice was halfway cooked I added my sliced vegetables and additional peppers (carrots, jalapenos, peas). It continued to cook until done. Then I added the chicken I had earlier cooked on the grill. I then served it to my family and my boyfriend’s family. I did receive the same feedback from everyone which was that it tasted amazing. I was surprised I was even able to get my two sisters to like it since they have very selective taste buds.
Ghana is a small country in Western Africa that offers something for everyone. If you are looking for a place enriched with hospitality, warm weather, and beautiful scenery Ghana is the place to go. Architectural beauty can be found in Accra from several centuries of work. There are also many castles, palaces, kingdoms, and lighthouses to visit such as the Cape Coast Castle which was built for the trade of gold and timber but was later used for the trans-Atlantic slave trade where slaves were housed until they were shipped off. For music lovers, learning authentic African drumming and dancing can be an adventure. The numerous beaches are a great place to relax and have a good time. For nature and wildlife lovers, there are many national parks, conservations, and sanctuaries throughout the country where elephants, hippos, monkeys, birds, and many other animals can be found along with the wetlands, rainforests, and waterfalls. Ghana is a great place to come have an experience of a lifetime.
Country Information
· Geographic Facts
Here are three geographic facts about Ghana:
1. Ghana is located in Western Africa; it is bordering the Gulf of Guinea, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. The surface area of the country is 92,100 sq miles (238,837 sq km); that makes it approximately the size of the state of Oregon.
2. There are two seasons: wet and dry. Rainy season for the north is from March to November while the south is from April to mid-November. It has a warm climate due to being only a few degrees north of the equator.
3. For the most part, the country has flat plains with some low hills. The coastline consists of a sandy shore in which several streams and rivers go through while the north is covered in high plains. The south central and southwest region is covered by a forested plateau which is home of the Kwahu Plateau and Ashanti uplands. The eastern region has hilly ranges where Mount Afadjato, the highest point in Ghana can be found on the Akuapim-Togo ranges.
· 3 “Serious” Facts
Here are three serious facts about Ghana:
1. The area was settled by Africans and Europeans in 1482 but did not have imposed British rule until 1874. On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first colony in sub-Saharan Africa to become independent, in which it broke away from the United Kingdom and finally became a constitutional democracy on April 28, 1992. They are also based on the English common law.
2. Gold has been exported since the medieval times, in which it received its name the Gold Coast. Ghana is presently Africa’s second largest gold producer. They are also Africa’s third largest aluminum and manganese ore producer. Ghana contributes a significant amount to the production of bauxite and diamonds.
3. The flag consists of red, gold, and green with a black star which became their flag in 1957. The red represents all the blood that was shed in order to achieve independence; the gold represents the mineral wealth of the country; the green represents the rich agriculture, and the black star is the symbol of African emancipation.
· 3 “Fun” Facts
Here are three serious facts about Ghana:
1. Ghana is the home of the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Volta. It was created in 1964 through construction of the Akosombo dam. It is an asset for transportation and hydroelectricity and covers over 3200 square miles.
2. Akwaaba is the expression for “Welcome!” It is the Land of Sunshine with the reputation of the friendliest people in Africa, so do not be surprised if you ask someone for directions and they stop what they are doing to show you to your destination, even if it is not close.
3. The word “Ghana” means “warrior king,” which originated from the name of the kings in the Ghana Empire during the medieval times. The Ghana Empire was located 500 miles north west of modern Ghana. The motto of Ghana is “Freedom and Justice.”
· A “Potpourri” Item
Here are some unusual facts about Ghana:
1. The people of Ghana believe in fully utilizing the animals that they kill for food. They eat pretty much all parts of the animal, including the bones. The bones are eaten to get to the bone marrow which is a good source of calcium. The bone marrow has so much calcium since the chickens grow to maturity before they are slaughtered.
2. W.E.B. Du Bois was a leader in the Pan-African movement; the first intergovernmental conference was in Accra, Ghana in 1958. The purpose of this movement was to create independence for African nations while bringing unity among blacks around the world. There is a W.E.B. Du Bois memorial center dedicated to the history of the Pan-African movement and the efforts of W.E.B. Du Bois.
Food Information
Ingredients:
- 2 medium size onions
- 3 medium size gingers
- 2 pieces of garlic
- 3 jalapenos (optional)
- 1 habanero pepper (optional)
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 15 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 pounds of rice
- 2 shrimp cubes or dry shrimp powder
- 1 tsp dry crayfish powder
- All purpose seasoning
- Salt
- Cooking oil
- Vegetables of choice (carrots, corn, peas, etc)
- Meat of choice (optional)
Place a large pot on stove to warm up with approximately 6 table spoons of cooking oil of your choice in the pot. Chop 1 ½ onions, 2 bell peppers, and the 3 gingers to place in a blender with the 2 pieces of garlic, habanero pepper, a jalapeno, a can of crushed tomatoes, can of tomato sauce, 2 shrimp cubes, dry crayfish powder and few dashes of all purpose seasoning. Then blend until in a liquid form and well mixed. Then place the contents from the blender in the pot. Place a lid over the pot to cook the sauce and stir frequently. This will cook for 45 minutes to an hour until it appears to have no water, it should appear to be dry and more like a paste. The rice is then added and stirred into the paste with a little bit of water added. Cover with a lid and place the heat between medium and low then let cook for 30 minutes. Continue to stir while cooking. Once the rice is halfway cooked, place the vegetables of your choice in the dish and add water as needed. Place the lid back on and continue to cook until the rice and vegetables are cooked; this should take about 20 minutes. Once the dish is complete, you may add any cooked meats of your choice such as corned beef or chicken. The key is to add seasoning and pepper to taste.
· My Kitchen Story
I learned about this dish from my boyfriend who had prepared it for me on various occasions. My boyfriend and his sister, whom are both from Ghana, began to teach me how to cook this dish on the night I am about to talk about. The first thing I did was chop the peppers, onions, and ginger. My boyfriend kept telling me to be careful and not cut myself when chopping the ingredients since my chopping skills are limited. I placed the ingredients in the blender and began to blend. Once it starts to blend together, I tasted it to see if anymore ingredients needed to be added to taste. I placed the pot on the burner on high and added the oil. It warmed up and I added the ingredients from the blender in the pot. I stirred about every five to ten minutes; when going to stir I at first left it on the hot burner while stirring. I quickly learned that the mixture would bubble and spill out of the pot to create a mess. Even though I stirred every five to ten minutes it was not enough because the mixture still kept burning on the bottom of the pot. So I had to scrap the bottom of the pot and spoon out the burned parts. So stir more than you normally would to save yourself from scrapping a pot while cooking. I also would taste the mixture as it cooked so I could add any additional seasoning to taste. The sauce mixture continued to cook and then I rinsed the rice to add to the pot. Once again continue to stir. Once the rice was halfway cooked I added my sliced vegetables and additional peppers (carrots, jalapenos, peas). It continued to cook until done. Then I added the chicken I had earlier cooked on the grill. I then served it to my family and my boyfriend’s family. I did receive the same feedback from everyone which was that it tasted amazing. I was surprised I was even able to get my two sisters to like it since they have very selective taste buds.
Contact Info: To contact the author of “A Taste of Ghana: A Recipe for Jollof Rice,” please email Bryanne7680@aol.com
BIOGRAPHY
David C. Wyld (dwyld.kwu@gmail.com) is the Robert Maurin Professor of Management at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He is a management consultant, researcher/writer, and executive educator. His blog, Wyld About Business, can be viewed at http://wyld-business.blogspot.com/. He also maintains compilations of his student’s publications regarding book reviews (http://wyld-about-books.blogspot.com/) and international foods (http://wyld-about-food.blogspot.com/).
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