African Forest Elephant
Smaller than their savanna cousins, these elephants roam the forests of northern Ghana and use their tusks to dig for minerals in the soil.
Flag of Ghana
Field Report
Ghana is a country on the west coast of Africa, tucked along the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and sitting just a short distance above the equator. It is about the size of the state of Oregon and is home to more than 30 million people who speak dozens of different languages and belong to many different ethnic groups. Ghana is known for its bright woven cloth, its deep forests and grassy plains, and a long history that stretches back centuries before European explorers ever arrived on its shores.
From the Field Notebook
African Forest Elephant
Smaller than their savanna cousins, these elephants roam the forests of northern Ghana and use their tusks to dig for minerals in the soil.
Kob Antelope
The kob is a reddish-brown antelope found in Ghana's grasslands, and males compete in special arenas called leks to win the attention of females.
African Grey Hornbill
This striking bird has a long curved beak and a loud wailing call that echoes through Ghana's woodlands at dawn.
Jollof Rice
Cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce, Ghanaian jollof rice has a slightly smoky flavor from the way the bottom of the pot caramelizes over the fire.
Fufu
Made by pounding boiled cassava and plantain into a smooth, stretchy dough, fufu is eaten by pinching off a piece and dipping it into a savory soup.
Kelewele
These spiced fried plantain cubes are seasoned with ginger and chili, giving them a sweet heat that is popular as a street snack in the evenings.
Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from European colonial rule, which happened in 1957 when its leader Kwame Nkrumah declared freedom from Britain.
Lake Volta in Ghana is one of the largest man-made lakes in the entire world by surface area, stretching so wide that it covers about 3.6 percent of Ghana's total land.
Ghana produces so much cocoa that it is one of the top two cocoa-growing countries on earth, meaning a good chance that the chocolate you have eaten came from a Ghanaian farm.
The kente cloth woven by the Akan people of Ghana uses silk and cotton threads in bold geometric patterns, and each color and shape carries a specific meaning passed down through generations.
Ghana's capital city, Accra, sits right along the Gulf of Guinea and is only a few degrees north of the equator, which means the city stays warm year-round with temperatures rarely dropping below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Daily Life
65
Years life expectancy
76%
Can read and write
86%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Ghana is home to 108 distinct people groups — 16 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
A majority of Ghana's people follow Christianity (62.0%). Evangelical Christians make up about 25.9% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Mamprusi
434,000 people
Gonja
426,000 people
Hausa
334,000 people
Busanga
295,000 people
Wala
117,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.