This slides were about a lecture I had as a visiting teacher at Haaga-Helia, Pasila campus. The focus was to create an understanding of the uniqueness of the Ghanaian culture and the impact it has on family or society, relationship and work life. I tried to use Geert Hofstede cultural dimension theory about nations to compare the Ghanaian and Finnish culture. At the end I used a model (Melon or Perception model) to enlighten the fact that perception is a general term and that it can limits receptability. Ghana's culture creates in the people a sense of belonging since is more of 'a close type'. Ghanaians are polite, hospitable, social, hard working and peace loving people. Ghana has a very rich culture and endowed with rich natural resources. One key is that democracy has come to stay and the people are ready to do business with the outside world. Do you want to do business or invest in Ghana? Do you want to have information about doing business in Ghana and how to go about it? Are you looking for someone to teach your company, team or institution about different cultures, business cultures and ethics (focus Africa)? Do not hesitate to contact Divine Global Consult (www.divineglobalconsult.com)

1. The unique culture
of Ghana
Impact on Family, Relationship & Work life

2. TheHistoryofghana
The meaning of Ghana:
 Ghana was derived from the
ancient Ghana empire
 Ghana means the ”warrior King”-
From the old Ghana empire
 Formerly known as Gold Coast –
Capital was Cape Coast
The colours in the flag are:
 Red signifies those who shed their
blood for independence
 Yellow signifies the minerals (e.g.
Gold)
 Green signifies the vegetation
cover (e.g. The forest)
 The Black Star signifies Ghana as
the star of Africa (Gateway to
Africa)
ghanaweb.com & wikipedia.org

3. Historyofcolonization
 The Portuguese were first to arrive in 15th century (1471)
 Traded in Gold, Ivory, Pepper
 The Dutch also arrived in 1598
 17th Century saw other Europeans joining
The English, The Danes and The Swedes
 Slave trade increased
 The Danes withdrew in 1850
 Dutch withdrew in 1874, & Britain made the Gold Coast a
protectorate
 The 19th century saw the British firmly established their
Colony
 Political movements & nationalism in ghana (1945 - 1957)
ghanaweb.com & ghanaculture.net & wikipedia.org

4. Location
GHANA

5. Neighbours
 Ghana is among 54 African countries
(6 are Islands)
 And 16 West African countries
 Bordering the Gulf of Guinea
between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo
 Borded North by Burkina Faso, East
by Togo, West by Cote d’Ivoire &
South by The Gulf of Guinea (Cape
Three Point)
 Other neighbouring countries
include: Nigeria, Benin, Mali and
Liberia
modernghana.com

6. Someimportantfacts
 Ghana is divided into 10 regions
 The Capital is Accra (Est. Populace 2,291,352 as of 2012 )
 Total Land area-238,533 sq km (Finland-338,145 sq km )
 The Population of Ghana-25,199,609 (July 2013 est.)
 Age Structure
o 0-14yrs = 38.7%
o 15-24yrs = 18.8%
o 25-54yrs = 33.7%
o 55-64yrs = 4.7%
o 65yrs and Over = 4.1%
 Offical Language-English
 Currency is Ghana Cedis (Code: GHS)
indexmundi.com (CIA report on countries)

7. Governance
Past:
 Gained independence on 6
March, 1957 from the British (1st
in Sub-Saharan)
 Independent Republic 1 July 1960
 Kwame Nkrumah was first Prime
Minister -Ruled from 1952-1966
 Unstable government between
1966-1979
 Many political unrest between the
period
 The worse period 1979-1982
(coup)
Present:
 Significant liberation period
1993-2000
 A followed up to 1992
Constitution
 1992 a New era of Democratic
dispensation began
 A 4-year interval of presidential
& parliamentary elections
 Multi-party state
 Freedom of association, media
& press
Ghana.gov.gh & wikipedia.org

8. TheCultureofghana
 Ghana has a very unique and rich culture
 Considered to have over 100 Ethnic groups
 About 9 major ethnic groups
o Akan, Ewe, Mole Dagbane, Guan, Ga Adanbge,
 About 79 other languages or dialects are spoken
 Religion and Culture very important
o Christianity 71.2% Islam 17.6% Traditional 5.2% Others 5.3%
 Ascribe importance to Family
o Nuclear & Extended Family type
o Extended family type strongest
 Family members are supported by each other
o Finance, education, housing, & jobs
 Great emphasis on politeness, hospitality, and formality
everyculture.com & ghanaculture.net & wikipedia.org

9. Hofstededimensions
Power distance
o How a society handles inequalities among people
o Acceptance of Hierarchical order
o Less powerful society accept & expect that power is distributed
unequally
Individualism & Collectivism
o Individualism-More of oneself and immediate family only
o Collectivism-Relatively knitted societies & wider family support,
use of ’we rather than I’
Masculinity & Femininity
o Masculinity-Preference for achievements, heroism, assertiveness
and material reward for success
o Femininity-Preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the
weak and quality of life
Geert-hofstede.com

10. Hofstededimensionscont.
Uncertaintity avoidance
o Feeling uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity
o Dealing with the fact that the future is unknown (control it or
leave it to happen)
Pragmatism
o Short-term –focus on achieving quick results & to establish
absolute truth
o Long-term- that the truth depends very much on situation,
context and time (ability to adapt traditions to changed
conditions
Indulgence
o Indulgence- Free gratification of basic & natural human drives
(enjoying life and having fun). Socialization is a key
o Restrains- Gratification of needs & regulates by strict social
norms
Geert-hofstede.com

11. HofstededimensionsGhanavsFinland
80
15
40
65
4
72
33
63
26
59
38
57
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Ghana
Finland
Geert Hofstede
(Oct. 1928 )
Geert-hofstede.com

12. Ghanavsfinland:hofstededimensions
Dimensions Ghana Finland
PDI  People accept hierarchical order without
further justifications
 Hierarchy in organization reflect inherent
inequalities
 Centralization is popular
 Boss type work environment
 Independent, hierarchy for
convenience & Equal rights
 Power is decentralized & experience
of team members are important
 Superiors are accessible
 Communication is direct &
participative
IDV  Loyalty in collective society/culture
 Close long-term commitment
 Society fosters strong relationships (each
members responsibility a key)
 Offence leads to shame and lost of face
 Employer/employee relationship seen in
moral terms
 Individualistic (”I” )society
 Individuals expected to take care of
themselves
 Offence causes guilt & lose of self-
esteem
 Contract base on mutual advantage
relationship
MAS  A relatively feminine society
 Focus on ”working in order to live”
 Conflicts resolve by compromise &
negotiation
 Managers strive for concensus
 Free time and flexibility favoured
 A feminine society
 ”Working in order to live”
 Value equality, solidarity and quality
working lives
 Decision making achieved through
involvement
Geert-hofstede.com

13. GhanavsFinland:hofstede’sdimensions
UAI  Maintains rigid codes of believe and behaviour
 Emotional needs for rules
 Inner edge to be busy and hard work
 Security an important element to individual
motivation
 Maintains rigid codes of believe and
behaviour
 Emotional need for rules (even if
seems not to work)
 Time is money
 Inner edge to be busy and hard
work
 Security an important element
PRA  A strong preference for normative way of
thinking
 A strong concern with establishing absolute
truth
 Exhibit great respect for traditions
 Focus on achieving quick results
 Normative culture
 Normative thinking
 Strong concern with establishing
absolute truth
 Tradition is respected
 Focus on achieving quick results
IND  A positive attitude & tendency towards
optimism
 High degree of importance on leisure time
 Impulsive desire to enjoy life
 Act as they pleased and spend money as
they wish
 Indulgent country
 Willingness and desires with regards
to enjoying life and fun
 A positive attitude & tendency
towards optimism
 Act as they pleased and spend
money as they wish
Geert-hofstede.com

14. Ghana’sCultureImpacton family&society
Unity: Support for one another. Communial society
Discipline: Parental control, observation of public property
Respect: Authority, Elderly, Status and (Wealthy)
Expanded or Extended family nature
Man considered as the head/leader of the family
Family decision-making lies mostly with family head
(Abusuapanin)
Belief plays important role in choices and decisions
Status, titles and wealth are preeminent
N. Frank ’013

15. Ghana’sCultureImpacton relationship
Early relationship not common among Ghanaian cultures
Puberty rites very important among some ethnic groups
Family bethrothing (asiwa) was common in early ages-fading
out in recent times
Both man and lady’s family considered part of the relationship
Other institutions such as the church becomes part as well
Normally Engagements and weddings involve a lot of people
Belief (religion) plays important role in choices and decisions
In some instances ethnicity also affect choice of partners
N. Frank ’013

16. Ghana’scultureimpacton worklife
The flow of work is hierarchical
Subordinates relie on management for decisions
Even though hierarchical workplace is relational as well
Status, titles and achievements are respected
Moral values are strong
A handshake a normal practice
Normally traditional dress accepted on Fridays (common
among the women)
 Other matters are welcomed at work
N. Frank ’013

17. Themelonor perceptionmodel
• Outside is:- The Perception & the Thinking
• Inside is:- The Reality
N. Frank ’013

18. THESIGNIFICANTOFTHEMODEL
The Perception & the
Thinking
The Reality (tangible & intangible)
1. Generality 1. Unique resources/environment
2. Element of truth 2. Family, farming & business oriented people
(openess/ relational & hardworking)
3. Element of misleading 3. Support of one another (each others keeper)
4. Limitation of reception 4. Observation of neighbours & public property
(also social norms & values)
5. Respect to the elderly & authority
6. Free governance:- peace & security
7. Unique people with rich history & culture
8. Hospitable & peace-loving people
9. Greetings very important (handshake)
N. Frank ’013

19. Questions are welcomed!
For further information contact:
Frank Nyarko
Founder/Manager
Divine Global Consult
frank.nyarko@outlook.com
Mobile: +358-453414041
Skype: k-frank512
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mSi-IGkJA