Are you thirsty for a trip to luscious Ghana, with their juicy coconuts and exotic scents and scenery? Don’t spend your life imagining…give it a go!

BUT FIRST, lets see what knowledge we can soak up before we soak up their radiant sun: Ten Fun Facts to Sweeten your Ghanaian Adventures.

Fun fact 1: First Deaf school in West Africa

Andrew Foster, who graduated from Gallaudet University in the capital of U.S.A., set up the first deaf school in West Africa in Osu, a suburb of Accra, Ghana. He named it Ghana Mission School for the Deaf and used a borrowed classroom from a Presbyterian Church. Then he moved the school 30 miles away to Mampong-Akwapim after receiving a donation of land and building to establish a permanent residential school. The school served 80 children and some adults. And you can volunteer there on the VoluntEars Ghana trip.

Fun fact 2: The name “Ghana”

The name “Ghana” means “warrior king” in the Soninke language.

Fun fact 3: Independence

In 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country and the first Black African country to gain independence from British colonial rule. Kwame Nkrumah led the fight for freedom, and became Ghana’s first Prime Minister and President.

Fun fact 4: Britain’s Got Talent

A Deaf Ghanaian girl was a finalist in a duo in Britain’s Got Talent in 2024! 7- year-old dancer Abigail was born deaf. One of our volunteers, Lauren Feeney, knows her. Ghanaian news said: “Ghanaian dance duo Afronita and Abigail placed third after a highly competitive finale of the 2024 Britain’s Got Talent show in London on Sunday, June 2″. Ghana is known for its rich cultural traditions, including music, dance, art, and literature. Do you like dancing? People will join you as soon as you bust a move!

Fun fact 5: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ghana is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including historic castles and forts, Asante traditional buildings, and the sacred grove of Kpashimo.

Fun fact 6: Largest man-made lake

It has the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Volta; and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, the Kejetia Market.

Fun fact 7: Fantasy coffins

Ghana is where “fantasy coffins” originated, which are coffins made in the form of animals, transport, food, and more. These coffins allow Ghanaians to be buried in something that represents their career.

Fun fact 8: Africa’s largest gold producer

Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer and one of the world’s top-10 gold producers. Gold is the most commercially exploited mineral in Ghana, accounting for about 95% of the country’s mineral revenue. The mining industry is a major economic driving force, contributing to government revenues and export earnings.

Fun fact 9: Currency named after a sea shell

The currency in Ghana is Cedi, which means “Cowry Shells”.

Fun fact 10: How to shake hands

When meeting a group of people in Ghana, it is good manners to begin shaking hands with the person on the right and move to the left.

Travelling Ghanaian style on a deaf volunteering trip with VoluntEars

Trips to Ghana

Would you like to volunteer in Ghana? Join VoluntEars on a 2 week trip to Ghana to help at a Ghanaian deaf school and visit waterfalls, beaches, forests, markets and much more.

Read more here: 2 Week Group trips to Ghana.

Got a question? Contact us now!