Ghana

There are more than 75 ethnic groups in Ghana. Rural Ghanaians generally live with their extended families in a cluster of huts that provides shelter and symbolizes the closeness they feel to each other. In a spirit of cooperation, extended family members share work responsibilities and resources as they support themselves through farming.

English is the official language of Ghana and is taught in the country’s schools, but each ethnic group also has its own dialect. About 70 percent of Ghanaians work in agriculture. Many farmers produce only enough crops to feed their own family. They do not have adequate income to purchase clothes or schoolbooks.

Ghanaians value children and want to have as many children as possible. A large family means more hands to help on the farm and guarantees that parents will be cared for in their old age.

Primary and middle school education is both free and compulsory for children in Ghana. Ghana's education system is considered one of the best in sub-Saharan Africa.

Those who do not own or rent farmland work as day laborers, competing for a limited number of jobs paying very low wages that cover the cost of food and little else.

Once a British colony, the West African nation of Ghana gained independence in 1957. Its territory stretches 341 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. The rainy season lasts from May to July, with a minor wet season in September and October.

Ghana is rich in natural resources and ranks among the world’s leading producers of cacao. Other industries include forestry, mining, and fishing. Hyenas, antelopes, and chimpanzees are among the types of wildlife found in Ghana. Parks provide protection for animals with dwindling populations.

Marriages in Ghana are arranged by the families of the bride and groom with the couple’s consent. Girls usually marry between the ages of 19 and 23. Boys often wait until they are 25 or older.

In Ghana, most babies are delivered at home, so official birth certificates frequently are not available. Parents often will not remember a child’s specific birthday. Instead, they recall that their son or daughter was born during a certain season or special event.

• Pray that your sponsored child might be open to God’s love and grace.
• Ask God to guide your sponsored child as he or she learns, grows, and moves toward a future full of hope and possibilities.
• Pray for God to protect the health of your sponsored child and his or her family.