Ghana is one of the most colorful and diverse nations in West Africa. You are sure to fall in love with the hospitality of its people and the beauty of its landscape during your Semester in Ghana. With over 100 ethnic groups, each having its own traditions, festivals, music, dance, and more, Ghanaians celebrate their diversity yet are quite unified by a strong national pride. Under the leadership of national hero Kwame Nkrumah, the independent Republic of Ghana was founded in 1957 on the principles of freedom, justice, equity, and free education. It was the first sub-Saharan nation to be self-determining. Since then, Ghana has become a role model for struggling African nations for its international cooperation, democratic traditions, levels of education, and socioeconomic standards.
The huge diversity in culture is also notable in the Ghanaian cuisine, which has a lot of different dishes to offer with soups, meats and fish. Semester in Ghana is based in the beautiful city of Cape Coast (Cabo Corso), with a lot of things to see and do. The town was founded in the 15th century by the Portuguese and it changed hands between the British, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish and the Dutch. Not far from Cape Coast is the Kakum National Park, one of the best preserved parks on the west coast of Africa. About 100 miles away from Cabo Corso is the capital city Accra.
The region is well known for its beautiful textiles, vibrant markets, colorful festivals, love of football (soccer), national parks, waterfalls, and incredible jungles. In your classes, you will learn about both modern Ghana and its dramatic history. You’ll also have ample opportunities to immerse yourself in Ghanaian culture outside the classroom. In your new home, you’ll eat fufu, use batik on some old T-shirts, sit on the beach and watch fishing boats come in with fresh catch, and stroll through colorful markets.