Accra, Ghana

At A Glance:

Ghana takes its name from the great medieval trading empire known as the Ghana Empire. It was founded by the Akan Ethnic group in the 13th century. The empire was rich in gold and traded widely with the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and others between the 15th and 16th centuries. This made it become known as the Gold Coast. The 17th century saw a shift into the slave trade, with devastating effects on the country and huge implications for modern world history. Ghana was the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence from the colonial rule of the British in 1957. Ghana is well known for being among the world’s leading producers of high-quality sun-dried cocoa. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing employ more than half of the population. The country has a rich indigenous culture with people groups such as the Ewe, Fante, Nzema, and Ga Dambe, all with close ties to religion and institutions of chieftaincy. About 50 indigenous languages are spoken.

Program Description:

This program aims to develop a contextual understanding of history, culture and community in Ghana by engaging with the country both academically and experientially. As students visit both rural and urban areas of the country and interact with communities, they gain an understanding of the nation and the richness of its cultural identity expressed through music, art and other traditions. Students experience authentic Ghanaian life and genuinely interact with people from different communities. Through visits to historical sites and by engaging in immersive cultural experiences, participants reflect on the global impact of the country’s history, particularly through the lens of the diaspora and how it impacts identity both inside and outside Ghanaian borders.