Ghana is located in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, bordering with Togo in the east, the Ivory Coast in the west and Burkina Faso on the northern border. It is a former British colony and was the first country in the sub-Saharan area to gain its independence in 1957.
Ghana Today
Ghana is one of the world’s top producers in gold and cocoa and is home to a stable democratic environment and an economy with a lot of potential thanks to the introduction of a multi-party system. Ghana has recently started its offshore oil production and the sector is expected to boost economic growth. Ghana is often viewed as the ideal gateway for people who are interested in doing business in the Sub-Saharan area.
Ghanaian Culture - Key Concepts and Values
Family – Kinship, loyalty and family pride are central to Ghanaian society. Family defines social status and can determine values and behaviours. The individual is subordinate to the family or collective. Loss of face is a key concept within a Ghanaian family. It is important to always maintain good reputation, dignity and honour since the whole family will share any loss of honour by a member of the family.
Ethnic Diversity – Ghana is extremely diverse with more than 100 different ethnicities. The largest group is the Akan tribe who account for 45% of the Ghanaian population. Other groups include the Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, Ga-Dangme, Guan, Gurma, Grusi and the Mande-Busanga tribe. Tribes and ethnic groups tend to be differentiated through their unique crafts, clothing, symbols, music and art. Because of the country’s ethnic diversity there are around 250 languages and dialects spoken in Ghana.
Religion – A result of the influence of the British colonisation, Christianity is the most important religion in Ghana and is practised by around 70% of the population. The second most popular religion is Islam practised by more than 15% of the population. Many customs in Ghanaian society are influenced by both traditional tribal beliefs and Christian or Muslim traditions.
Doing Business in Ghana
Ghana is rich in natural resources but almost 30% of the population still lives under the international poverty rate. The Ghanaian economy also relies heavily on financial and technical support from other countries. Ghana exports a significant amount of natural resources such as cocoa, timber, fish, fruits and vegetables, manganese, (palm) oil, rubber, and aluminum. Agriculture is the main focus of the domestic economy and provides work for more than half of the population. Ghana’s main export partners are the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the Ukraine. To take advantage of this developing economy you must first understand the intricacies of Ghanaian social, economic and business culture.
Part 1 – Working in Ghana: Working practices in Ghana
Structure and hierarchy in Ghanaian companies
Working relationships in Ghana
Part 2 – Doing Business in Ghana: Business practices in Ghana
Ghanaian business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO develop an understanding of how religion and indigenous beliefs influence the Ghanaian working practices.
DO take time to ask questions about the health and/or the family of your business partner. It is seen as rude to get down to business right away.
DO address your Ghanaian counterpart with their academic title as it is used to show respect.
DON’T be late for a business meeting as this can be seen as rude but do not expect your Ghanaian business partner to be on time.
DON’T sit down before your older counterparts have sat down. You are expected to offer them a seat.
DON’T refuse an invitation for a dinner at someone’s home. Ghanaians love to have guests in their home and turning down an invitation is a sign of disrespect.
Ghanaian Culture Quiz – True or False
1. The right hand is considered unclean in Ghanaian culture and should not be used for gesturing in any way. You must always use the left hand.
2. Ghanaians are very direct with their language and often get straight to the point. A direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer will always be given.
3. As soon as dinner has been served you can start eating your dinner.
4. Ghanaians love football and they have a top world soccer team.
5. The largest artificial lake in the world is in Ghana.
Ghanaian Culture Quiz – Answers
1. False. It is the left hand that is considered unclean in Ghana.
2. False. Ghanaians are used to a very indirect style of communication. A ‘yes’ may actually mean ‘possibly’.
3. False. Never start eating before the oldest person has started as a sign of respect.
4. True. The Ghanaian soccer team won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009.
5. True. Lake Volta was formed in 1965 and is located wholly in Ghana. The huge Akosombo Dam that was placed in the lake provides almost the entire country with electricity.
Ghana Today
Ghana is one of the world’s top producers in gold and cocoa and is home to a stable democratic environment and an economy with a lot of potential thanks to the introduction of a multi-party system. Ghana has recently started its offshore oil production and the sector is expected to boost economic growth. Ghana is often viewed as the ideal gateway for people who are interested in doing business in the Sub-Saharan area.
Ghanaian Culture - Key Concepts and Values
Family – Kinship, loyalty and family pride are central to Ghanaian society. Family defines social status and can determine values and behaviours. The individual is subordinate to the family or collective. Loss of face is a key concept within a Ghanaian family. It is important to always maintain good reputation, dignity and honour since the whole family will share any loss of honour by a member of the family.
Ethnic Diversity – Ghana is extremely diverse with more than 100 different ethnicities. The largest group is the Akan tribe who account for 45% of the Ghanaian population. Other groups include the Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, Ga-Dangme, Guan, Gurma, Grusi and the Mande-Busanga tribe. Tribes and ethnic groups tend to be differentiated through their unique crafts, clothing, symbols, music and art. Because of the country’s ethnic diversity there are around 250 languages and dialects spoken in Ghana.
Religion – A result of the influence of the British colonisation, Christianity is the most important religion in Ghana and is practised by around 70% of the population. The second most popular religion is Islam practised by more than 15% of the population. Many customs in Ghanaian society are influenced by both traditional tribal beliefs and Christian or Muslim traditions.
Doing Business in Ghana
Ghana is rich in natural resources but almost 30% of the population still lives under the international poverty rate. The Ghanaian economy also relies heavily on financial and technical support from other countries. Ghana exports a significant amount of natural resources such as cocoa, timber, fish, fruits and vegetables, manganese, (palm) oil, rubber, and aluminum. Agriculture is the main focus of the domestic economy and provides work for more than half of the population. Ghana’s main export partners are the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the Ukraine. To take advantage of this developing economy you must first understand the intricacies of Ghanaian social, economic and business culture.
Part 1 – Working in Ghana: Working practices in Ghana
Structure and hierarchy in Ghanaian companies
Working relationships in Ghana
Part 2 – Doing Business in Ghana: Business practices in Ghana
Ghanaian business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO develop an understanding of how religion and indigenous beliefs influence the Ghanaian working practices.
DO take time to ask questions about the health and/or the family of your business partner. It is seen as rude to get down to business right away.
DO address your Ghanaian counterpart with their academic title as it is used to show respect.
DON’T be late for a business meeting as this can be seen as rude but do not expect your Ghanaian business partner to be on time.
DON’T sit down before your older counterparts have sat down. You are expected to offer them a seat.
DON’T refuse an invitation for a dinner at someone’s home. Ghanaians love to have guests in their home and turning down an invitation is a sign of disrespect.
Ghanaian Culture Quiz – True or False
1. The right hand is considered unclean in Ghanaian culture and should not be used for gesturing in any way. You must always use the left hand.
2. Ghanaians are very direct with their language and often get straight to the point. A direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer will always be given.
3. As soon as dinner has been served you can start eating your dinner.
4. Ghanaians love football and they have a top world soccer team.
5. The largest artificial lake in the world is in Ghana.
Ghanaian Culture Quiz – Answers
1. False. It is the left hand that is considered unclean in Ghana.
2. False. Ghanaians are used to a very indirect style of communication. A ‘yes’ may actually mean ‘possibly’.
3. False. Never start eating before the oldest person has started as a sign of respect.
4. True. The Ghanaian soccer team won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009.
5. True. Lake Volta was formed in 1965 and is located wholly in Ghana. The huge Akosombo Dam that was placed in the lake provides almost the entire country with electricity.