What animals live in Ghana?

Ghana is home to some remarkable creatures! In the forests and grasslands, you can find African elephants, leopards, and olive baboons. The rivers hold Nile crocodiles and hippos, which are actually one of the most powerful animals on the continent. Ghana also has incredible birds — over 700 species, including the colorful African pygmy kingfisher and the massive saddle-billed stork. Mole National Park in the north is one of the best places to spot many of these animals together. The people of Ghana who study and care for this land have a saying that the bush is full of surprises, and they are right — God packed a lot of variety into that corner of West Africa.

What do kids eat in Ghana?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Ghana often eat a dish called fufu — it's a soft, doughy ball made from pounded cassava or plantain, and you dip it into a rich soup made with palm nut or groundnut (that's what Ghanaians call peanuts). You eat it with your hands, pulling off small pieces and scooping up the soup. It takes a little practice, but Ghanaian kids have it down perfectly. Rusty wants to add that rice and stew is also a favorite, and a street snack called kelewele is wildly popular — those are chunks of ripe plantain fried with ginger and spices until they're crispy and a little spicy. For something sweet, kids might crack open a fresh coconut or peel a juicy mango right off the tree. Food in Ghana is bold, flavorful, and almost always shared with family and neighbors, which fits right in with the warm, generous spirit you find in Ghanaian homes.

How do people say hello in Ghana?

Ghana has many different languages, so 'hello' sounds different depending on where you are! In Twi, one of the most widely spoken languages, you would say 'Maakyé' in the morning and 'Maaha' in the afternoon. People in Ghana are known for being very warm and welcoming to visitors. There are over 80 languages spoken across Ghana, which tells you just how many different people groups live there. In the north, the Dagbani language is common, where 'Despa' is a friendly greeting. Missionaries who go to Ghana often spend time learning local languages so they can share the good news about Jesus in the words people understand best — right from their own hearts.

What sports or games do kids play in Ghana?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Ghana are wild about football — what you probably call soccer. You'll find boys and girls kicking homemade balls made from bundled plastic bags and string on dusty fields all across the country, from the capital Accra to small villages in the north. Rusty wants to add that kids in Ghana also love a game called oware, which is an ancient seed-counting board game played with small pits carved into wood and smooth stones or seeds as pieces. It takes real strategy and sharp thinking! Games like this have been played in West Africa for hundreds of years, passed down from grandparent to grandchild, which is a beautiful way a culture keeps its story alive.

What's the weather like in Ghana?

Ghana sits close to the equator, so it stays warm and humid most of the year — usually between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In the south near the coast, there are two rainy seasons, and the air can feel thick and wet. In the north, it gets hotter and drier, especially during the Harmattan winds that blow in from the Sahara Desert and cover everything in a fine reddish dust. That Harmattan wind is something Ghanaian kids talk about the way some kids talk about snowstorms — it can be strong enough to make the sky look hazy and turn your skin very dry. Farmers in Ghana pay close attention to the rains because most of them grow crops like maize, yams, and cocoa that need that water to survive. The weather shapes a lot of daily life there, from when people plant their fields to what they wear each morning.

Tell me a fun fact about Ghana.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Ghana was the first country in Africa south of the Sahara Desert to gain independence from a colonial power — that happened in 1957. People celebrated in the streets of Accra, the capital city, and the whole continent took notice. Rusty wants to add this: Ghana is one of the world's top producers of cocoa beans, which means a lot of the chocolate you have ever eaten probably started its journey on a farm in Ghana. Farmers there grow the pods on trees, crack them open by hand, and dry the beans in the sun. It is hard, careful work — and it feeds families across the whole country.

What is school like for kids in Ghana?

In Ghana, most children start primary school around age six, and classes can be quite large — sometimes fifty or more students sharing one teacher and one room. Students often wear uniforms, and the school day is taught in English, even though many kids speak their local language, like Twi or Dagbani, at home. In some villages, schools don't have many books or supplies, and some children walk a long distance just to get there. Not every child gets to finish school, because families sometimes need help at home or can't afford the fees. Many Ghanaian churches run schools too, and that's one way Christian workers serve families while also sharing the good news about Jesus.

Who are the unreached people in Ghana?

Ghana has many Christians, but there are still people groups who have rarely or never heard the good news about Jesus. The largest unreached groups are mostly in the northern part of the country — people like the Konkomba, the Nchumuru, and several Muslim communities including the Wala and the Vagla. 'Unreached' means most people in that group have no real chance to hear who Jesus is or why He came. Many of these northern groups follow Islam or traditional African religions passed down through their families for generations. Some don't yet have the whole Bible in their own heart language, which makes it harder to read and understand God's Word for themselves. Missionaries and Ghanaian Christians are working to bring the gospel north, but these groups still need more workers, more prayer, and more of the Bible translated into languages they truly understand.

How can I pray for the people of Ghana?

Ghana is a country in West Africa where millions of people have heard the name of Jesus — but many still have not truly understood the good news that He alone can save them from sin. You can pray that God opens hearts all across Ghana, from the busy city of Accra to small villages in the north, so that people trust Jesus as their Savior. You can also pray for the churches in Ghana to grow strong, reading the Bible and living it out faithfully. In the northern regions especially, some smaller language groups are still waiting for the Bible in their own tongue — pray that translation work moves forward so every person can hear God's Word in the language of their heart. And pray for Ghanaian Christian leaders, that God raises them up to reach their own people with courage and love.

What is a holiday or celebration in Ghana?

One of the biggest celebrations in Ghana is called Homowo, which means 'hooting at hunger.' It is a harvest festival celebrated by the Ga people, who live near the capital city of Accra. Families gather together, cook a special dish made from palm nut soup and mashed corn called kpokpoi, and remember how their ancestors survived a great famine long ago. Ghana also celebrates Independence Day on March 6th, marking the day in 1957 when Ghana became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from British rule. There are parades, drumming, and colorful cloth called kente worn with great pride. For Christians in Ghana — and there are many — celebrations like these are also a chance to thank the God of the Bible, who provides food, family, and freedom.

What language do people speak in Ghana?

Ghana is a place with a lot of languages! The official language — the one used in schools, government, and newspapers — is English. But most people also speak a language from their own ethnic group at home and in their villages. There are over 80 languages spoken across Ghana, including Twi, Ewe, Dagbani, and Hausa, just to name a few. That is one reason Bible translation work is so important there — missionaries and local believers work hard to make sure people can read and hear about Jesus in the language that speaks deepest to their hearts.

What's a famous place to visit in Ghana?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Ghana is Cape Coast Castle, a large stone fort sitting right on the Atlantic Ocean. For hundreds of years, it was used in the slave trade, where thousands of African people were held prisoner before being shipped away from their homeland. It is a sobering place that tells a painful part of history. Rusty wants to add that visiting Cape Coast Castle today helps people remember why every human life matters — because every person is made in the image of God. Ghana also has the famous Lake Volta, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, and the lively city of Kumasi, known for its busy Kejetia Market packed with colorful fabrics, spices, and crafts. Ghana is a country with a strong Christian community too, and many churches there are sending out their own missionaries to share the gospel across Africa.

Ghana — Kids Missions Explorer

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

Things you should know about Ghana

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Ghana

Missions in Ghana

Pray for Ghana