A GLIMPSE OF THE CULTURE

BARGAINING Over pricing is a way of life in Ghana. Negotiate a price before entering a taxi. A tentative guide is to offer 75 percent of the first quoted price, then go back and forth til you reach a price you are willing to pay. The seller may feign outrage or plead abject poverty but remember you can always walk away. Its all in the name of the game.

HOW TO HANDLE SOME ISSUES

With your host family: Keep your host informed about your program (where you going, when you will be back, when you will have your meal, if you have visitors etc.)
If an item goes missing, politely ask if they have seen the item anywhere in the house. Do not accuse any member of your host family of stealing without any proof.

PUBLIC PLACES

Do not wear clothes that expose certain parts of your body. You are advised not to attend a durbar in mini skirt, body tight and sleeveless dresses. Smoking by women is frowned upon in the Ghanaian society. Do not smoke in public. If you are lost, do not appear lost and walk confidently. Ask responsible people to show you the way.

GREETINGS
If someone greets you, it implies that you are liked and respected. On ceremonial occasions, we normally greet by shaking hands. When shaking hands with a group of people we start from the right and move left. Do not greet with the left hand because its disrespectful.

ABUSE/INSULT

Abusing or insulting someone in public is not tolerated. Do not use words like stupid, crazy, foolish, silly etc in public as these are considered insulting in Ghanaian culture.

NOISE

Ghanaians are noisy especially with music and other machines in the day. In the smaller towns and villages the sound of creatures in the night is loud. Bring with you earplugs if you are sound sensitive.

REQUEST

Many Ghanaians will ask you for chop (food) money because people think that Westerners are very wealthy. This could be annoying but can be joked off. Many Ghanaians use the phrase "I will marry you" loosely. This behaviour is more common in the smaller communities and can irritate some of our participants greatly. When someone says I will marry you in public that invariably implies that he is fond of you and wants to take you as a platonic friend. However, if this is said privately and consistently then the person might be talking about a romantic relationship. Just tell the person that you are married and the person will flee, since most Ghanaians have great respect for married people.

Since most participants are really not married, it can be a good idea to carry a photo of a wife or husband in your wallet/purse. Alternatively you can have a ring on your finger. You also make a joke about it just saying e.g. you have to pay two hundred million for me “I cannot cook any Ghanaian food). Don’t give money and gifts to people when they ask. Clearly tell people who ask that you cannot take them to your home country or give them visa.

REFERENCE TO SIZE
Height, color etc: Ghanaians often describe individuals as fat, slim, short, tall, etc. In Ghana being referred to as fat is a compliment because it is viewed as a sign of good living. Do not consider this rude.

YOUR SAFETY

You are encouraged to take precautions for your own safety.
1. Neither carry nor store at home more money than you need.
2. Keep your valuables away from the windows.
3. Keep things in black polythene bag as thieves usually do not suspect that there are valuables in them.
4. Becareful about who you invite into your room.
5. If you are going out at night have someone escort you home.
6. In Accra when you go out at night, stay in group and avoid beaches
7. Keep off the immediate side of the road where a hand stretched from a car cannot reach you.
Accra is a large city with all the risk and dangers of any large city. Notify HHG staff promptly when a serious problem such as physical attack, sexual harassment, burglary etc. occurs.

RULES TO BE RESPECTED

Ghana is photographer's paradise with many spectacular sights. Camera films are available in the main towns. However photography is not allowed at the airport or military, police and other strategic site. Please be warned that it is illegal to photograph the chief's palace and the local people without expressed consent. Photography equipment should be declared to customs on arrival. The illegal possession and trafficking of drugs like cocaine, LSD, Marijuana, Heroine, etc is prohibited in Ghana and subject to prosecution. Offenders receive a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

BE CAREFUL

Ghanaians are hospitable and give assistance to stranded people, especially foreigners. However, female participants are strongly advised not to hitch in the night or accept any offer from a car load of men. It is advisable not to hitch alone.