Culture of Ghana
The Akan are noted for their expertise in several forms of craftwork, particularly their weaving, wood carving, ceramics, fertility dolls, metallurgy, and kente cloth).
Traditional kente cloth is woven outdoors, exclusively by men, in complex patterns of bright, narrow strips.
Pottery-making is the only craft that is primarily a female activity; men usually fashion pots or pipes depicting anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures.
The Ga-Adangde have different but common languages, Ga, Krobo, Sh3, Osudoko, Shai, Gbugblaa, and Ada, Ningo to mention a few.
The Adangbe inhabit the eastern plain, while the Ga groups occupy the western portions of the Accra coastlands.
The Ewe follow a patrilineal structure, meaning that the founder of a community becomes chief and is usually succeeded by his paternal relatives.
Ashanti Yam Festival is observed for five days starting with a Tuesday, as dictated by the local chief priest.
This festival takes place at night and involves fire procession and drumming and dancing to war songs.
There are various dances in Ghana performed by the ten regions across the country, most frequently during festivals and occasions such as funerals, marriage ceremonies, etc.
Other dances in Ghana include kpalongo performed by the Gas, Agbadza by the Ewes, Adowa by the Akans, Bambaya by the Northeners, Patsa and Dbahsh by the Ga-Adangbes, and many others.
[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][excessive citations] Traditional customs and contemporary medical methods are combined to create Ghana's health culture.
For a variety of illnesses, many Ghanaians turn to traditional medicine, frequently seeking the aid of herbalists and spiritual healers.
But as the value of contemporary medicine is increasingly acknowledged, more people are using public health services, particularly for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Nevertheless, due to local and global advocacy, there is a slow movement to acknowledge mental health as an essential part of overall well-being.
On October 16, 2009, Ghana became the first African nation to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup by defeating Brazil 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
On June 26, 2010, Ghana defeated the US by 2 goals to 1 in their round of 16 matches, becoming the third African country to reach the quarter-final stage of the World Cup after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
A loss to Uruguay in Johannesburg on July 2, 2010, by a penalty shoot-out ended Ghana's attempt at reaching the semi-finals of the competition.
Notable among these are Accra Hearts of Oak SC and Asante Kotoko, which play at the premier league level and are the dominant contenders in the tournament.
Prominent football players recognized at the international level include Tony Yeboah, Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Abedi Pele, Asamoah Gyan, Anthony Annan, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, John Pantsil, Samuel Osei Kuffour, Richard Kingson, Sulley Muntari, Laryea Kingston, Stephen Appiah, André Ayew, John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah.
