Ghana

Ghana is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. With a population of approximately 31 million people, Ghana is the second most populous country in West Africa. Ghana has a rich history and cultural heritage, including the Ashanti Empire, which was one of the largest and most influential empires in West Africa. Ghana is renowned for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, which are reflected in its art, music, and festivals. These, along with its warm and friendly people, make Ghana a popular destination for tourists.

 

Books

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4.5/5

Homegoing

by Yaa Gyasi

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4/5

Children of the Street

by Kwei Quartey

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3

4.3/5

North to Paradise: A Memoir

by Ousman Umar

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4.2/5

Illegal

by Eoin Colfer

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5

4.3/5

Lose Your
Mothers

by Saidiya Hartman

Homegoing is an epic novel of incredible magnitude that spans across three centuries in Ghana and is also considered a major American classic. Written with remarkable language and a deep sense of sorrow, it has the power to captivate readers with its stunning beauty and thought-provoking narrative. The story takes us on a journey into the lives of different families as they face their struggles in both their native culture and within the context of larger forces like colonialism, racism, and poverty. Through this story we witness their resilience, courage, love, and faith in times of great difficulty. It is a heart-wrenching yet uplifting tale that speaks to all readers regardless of background or nationality. This is an important work for understanding the complexities faced by African people throughout history and the strength it takes to overcome them. Homegoing’s unique perspective makes it not only an unforgettable literary masterpiece but also an essential contribution to literature, art, and history.

In the slums of Accra, Ghana’s vibrant and rapidly evolving cosmopolitan capital, its inhabitants are living in fear – young people are being murdered in droves, bearing a sinister signature. Inspector Darko Dawson has seen many crimes in his career, but this one is especially troubling. Could these cruel acts be ritual killings or the work of an individual killer? With time running out, Dawson embarks on a dangerous journey through the city’s dark underworld, where street children fight for their lives against extreme poverty and suffering – and a mysterious murderer lurks just beyond reach. Facing immense adversity – from corrupt politicians to lawless gangs – Inspector Dawson must find out who is responsible. Meanwhile, it is up to him to protect the vulnerable citizens of Accra from more bloodshed. In exploring the depths of urban despair, he discovers elements of sheer horror that remain hidden until now. He also finds strength and courage within the slum’s resilient community as they rally together to combat this growing menace that plagues their streets. But will Dawson find his culprit before it’s too late?

The extraordinary and true story of a young boy’s incredible journey from his rural Ghanaian village to the bustling streets of Barcelona is nothing short of remarkable. Having traversed thousands of miles, he eventually found himself in the hustle and bustle of the big city.

This is an inspiring and timely story about a young boy’s remarkable journey across the African continent, all the way to Europe. It is a captivating graphic novel, filled with stunning artwork that will capture the imagination of any child.

In Lose Your Mother, Saidiya Hartman takes readers on an emotional and provocative journey along a slave route in Ghana. This unique journey allows her to retrace the history of the Atlantic slave trade from its first appearances in the fifteenth century, to its final demise in the twentieth century. What sets this journey apart is that it is not only a physical trek, but also a mental one – as she reckons with her own genealogy that has been left almost completely blank due to the transatlantic slave trade. Along her journey she unearths harrowing details of this tragic chapter in human history, such as the conditions of life and death on board slave ships during their long journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. She speaks to Ghanaian people whose ancestors were victims of this horrendous practice and reflects on how these experiences have shaped them and their families today, as well as how they are commemorating this part of their past. By bringing together personal accounts, interviews and archival research, Hartman shines a light on not just a forgotten chapter in African-American history – but an essential part of world history.

Movies

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4.3/5

Sugar

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2

4.3/5

Return of Black Monkey

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3/5

Adams Apples

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4

3.8/5

Away Bus

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5

3.9/5

Like Cotton
Twines

Sugar is a romantic musical comedy set in Ghana that follows the story of award-winning musician KiDi. In his pursuit of fame, he becomes an unapologetic womaniser, until he meets a woman who changes his ways. Everything changes for him when his past catches up with him; included in the mix are a series of complex relationships, difficult decisions and choices that will either make or break his career as well as his personal life.

This story discusses the complex topic of European Colonization of Africa in a simple and unique way, demonstrating how both the Black Man and the White Man honor the same Almighty God but through different spiritual practices. The story highlights how colonization had a giant impact on African culture, introducing new ideas and beliefs while also leading to various struggles between the two parties involved. It speaks to the fact that despite differences in religion, ethnicity, language and culture, there is a shared understanding of spiritualism that unites these two groups – even if they practice it differently.

The Adams women will be an unforgettable introduction to the 21st century Ghanaian woman. Strong and determined, these women and their partners are on an incredible journey of self-exploration and success. Full of emotion and excitement, this first instalment of ‘Adams Apples’ follows the ups and downs of their lives

Two sisters were desperate to raise money to save their mother who was dying. All of their attempts at finding help and finances had failed, so they decided to do the unthinkable: a highway bus robbery. With great fear, they gathered the courage and planned the theft.

The Ghanaian movie Like Cotton Twines has become an international sensation, much to the delight of its director Gideon Azuka Obiamalu. This groundbreaking movie follows the life of Adiza, a young Ghanaian girl coming of age while harboring a secret that puts her in conflict with family and societal norms. It realistically portrays Adiza’s struggle to bring hope and understanding to those around her, making it a powerful story of bravery and resilience that audiences can relate to on many levels. The film has brought critical acclaim for its originality and genuine depiction of modern Ghanian culture. Its success has opened doors for other African filmmakers and inspiring them to showcase their unique stories through the medium of film.

Music

Ghanaian music is a diverse and rich cultural expression that showcases the country’s history, traditions, and influences from around the world. With roots that can be traced back to the pre-colonial era, the music encompasses a range of genres and styles. Ghanaian music has been influenced by a range of global musical styles, including jazz, funk, and reggae, and has produced a number of internationally renowned artists, such as Osibisa, Amakye Dede, and Sarkodie. It’s also one of the countries where Highlife and Afrobeats started.

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