One Month In Ghana

During my short time in Ghana, family and friends tend to ask me the similar questions such as What is the food like, How are the people?, How do you compare it to the US?, and How modern is life there?  I thought this would be a great week to speak about these topics.

When I exited the plane that land in Accra four weeks ago, I knew I was somewhere different than home. From the sky, to the trees, to the roads, to pedestrians, and buildings nothing looked normal. I also know that some people have the impression that Africans live in trees and have no form of modernization but that is false claim. Ghana is modernized but in its own way. Buildings and homes have electricity and running water.  I will say that the atmosphere of this country is very relaxing and peaceful.

Many individuals use public transportation such as taxis and vans. Ghanaians tend to walk to many locations too. When Ghanians are traveling throughout the country the use of charter busses is a common form of travel.

The food is great. It is very natural and healthy. Common foods are rice, fish, chicken, plantain fruit, beans, and variety of vegetables. I tend to learn about different foods on the regular. Their meals tend to consist of more carbohydrates and vegetables than poultry. There have definitely been some meals that I have been eagered to eat chicken or fish and the portions were smaller than expected. If you love carbohydrates this is the place for you. Many of the dishes prepared are stews and soup based too. While on that note shopping for food is different than in the US. There is no Walmart or Kroger. They have outdoor markets in town that sell a variety of foods. The price for most items in the market is bargained. It is best to know their language and be accompanied by a native so you can get the best price.

There is also a currency exchange for the American Dollar. The name of their paper bills is Ghana Cedis and their coins are pesewas. The exchange rate is approximately 1:1.5 with the American dollar being worth more. The cost of living here is very inexpensive with wages being low. I have learned that a worker with no college degree typically live off less than a dollar a day. A college graduate can start out making around $250 a month and a professor with a PhD can make roughly $1200 a month. It is very interesting to see how others live and how their economy operates.

                Ghanaians are very friendly people. Majority of the people I have met are very pleasant and willing to helpful. I will also say that the people here are very hard workers. If an individual has a job with a college degree or an individual has a maintenance job they tend to do it with pride. Most of the individuals I have met are very thankful for what they do have. I sit back and think about things in the US I use to complain about and now I have a different perspective on many of those things. 

The biggest question so far is how can you compare it to the US? I have put much thought into this question and I feel there is not simple way of comparing the two. They are both great places with uniqueness and some differences.