HoGRCHD Home
1	Ghana Part 3: GHANA
2	Africa, the Huge 3rd World Not only is Africa HUGE, but the 54 countries within Africa have many characteristics in common, like Third World status, poverty, sickness and an AIDS epidemic, that require assistance from the Western world.
3	Ghana Statistics GHANA Ghana is a small country in West Africa on the coast. The capital is Accra. The population is approximately 20 million. The government is a constitutional democracy. Ghana gained its independence from UK on March 6, 1957. The average income is about $400 per year.
4	Child Mortality Enormous in Some Villages Ghana is made up of 10 regions, like states. Officials estimate that in the semi-arid Northern regions of Ghana fewer than 10% of the people have reasonable access to uncontaminated water. As a result, there is a high incidence of water borne and water related diseases. In some villages fewer than 60% of the children reach their 5^th birthday.
5	A Wonderful Climate A WONDERFUL CLIMATE … Ghana is a coastal country in West Africa with a wonderful tropical climate, unspoiled beauty and a welcoming ancient culture. The village homes are made of simple thatched roofs and clay blocks.
6	"Ghanaian people yearn for modernization..." “Ghanaian people yearn for modernization and economic growth as they strive for self achievement and improved quality of life.” www.travellersworldwide.com
7	Fishing FISHING … Lake Volta is the world’s largest man made lake. Fishing in nearby Lake Volta is one of the main sources of income and diet.
8	Spirituality SPIRITUALITY … 63% Christianity 21% Indigenous 16% Muslim In Ho, Ghana, West Africa the villagers meet each Sunday at E.P. German Bremen Mission Church, for singing and worshiping.
9	Elders ELDERS … One of the elders is going for a daily walk to visit her children. She is not wearing any slippers because she cannot afford to buy them. She uses her walking stick to support her back. As I extended my hand to say hello, she began to cry and then said: “No white has ever extended their hand to greet me in all my years.” Shady Vormanns
10	Women at Work WOMEN AT WORK … One responsibility of African women is to collect firewood from the bush, chop it, and prepare the fire for making ‘fufu’ for their families. Women cook two meals a day, morning and evening.
11	Meal Preparation WOMEN’S MEAL PREPARATION … The woman on the left is preparing a meal by pealing ‘Casavea’ which is pounded into a dough. The woman in the center is grinding spices on a grinding stone. On the right, Hilde from Belgium and Joshua, view ‘Fufu’ pounding for that evenings dinner.
12	Daily Chores WOMEN’S DAILY CHORES … Strong necks create a way for women carrying rocks on their head for a fire pit. This is a common way for women to transport large baskets, laundry, or anything they need to carry.
13	Farming FARMING … A small corn field takes a farmer the whole day to cultivate their fields because of poor quality farming tools.
14	Lack of Funds LACK OF FUNDS … Nutritional deficiencies lead to eye problems. The villagers are unable to afford necessary medical treatments, as in the case of the Chief’s father.
15	A Helping Hand A HELPING HAND … Shady Vormanns helps a villager who suffers from a shoulder injury by giving him ‘range of motion exercises’ to alleviate the pain.
16	Public Restroom PUBLIC RESTROOM … To reduce illness Eric is looking to increase the sanitary conditions of the village. Pictured here is the village outdoor bathroom facility.