Ghana
Elmina Castle, Ghana
Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, was the first trading post established on the Gulf of Guinea. The castle became one of the most infamous stops on the Atlantic slave route.
Today it is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. As tourists explore the slave dungeons of Elmina, modern life hums just outside the castle’s “Door of No Return.” Fishermen repair their nets, children play soccer, and women sell the daily catch. Gold has recently been discovered on these beaches, and soon, oil will be extracted offshore. Once again the port will be a source of wealth and of controversy.
Photo © 2009 Mary Crave
Republic of Ghana
Western Africa
Area 238,533 km2 (RANK 82)
Arable 17.5%
Capital Accra (2.3M)
Population 24,652,402 (103/km2)
Literacy 67%
Life expectancy 61 yrs
HIV/AIDS 1.8% (260,000 adults)
In poverty 29%
Military 1.7% of GDP (RANK 88 of 195)
Languages English, Asante, Ewe, Fante, Boron, Dagomba, Dangme, Dagarte, Akyem, Ga, Akuapem, others
Religions Christian 69%, Muslim 16%, traditional 9%, none 6%
Gov’t Constitutional Democracy
GDP/capita $3,100
Agriculture cocoa, rice, cassava, peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas, timber
Industry mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial shipbuilding
PCVs 1961-present, current 149, TTD 4,278, education, environment, agriculture, health
Adult Books
by Max Alexander, 2012
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher:Hyperion; 1St Edition edition (July 17, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1401324179
Book Description
A humorous, insightful and inspiring narrative of adventures and misadventures while running an enterprise to provide battery-operated equipment to remote villages.
Kids' Books
by Margaret Musgrove (Author) and Julia Cairns (Illustrator)
Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0590987875
Age Range: 4+ years
Publisher: Blue Sky Press, 2001
Films
Film: The Perfect Picture
Director: (2009)
Film: The Destiny of Lesser Animals
Director: (2011)
Documentary: Inspired Thumbs
Director: (2012)
Music
Focus Word
Focus Word for 2014 - "Home"
Twi: efie (eh-fee-ay)Dagbani: yinya (yin-nah)
Hausa: gidah (gee-dah)
Ga: shia (she-ah)
Copyright © Julie Olsen
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Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison is a public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Its EIN is 39-1669348. It is also an affiliate group of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).
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