Teen Tours in Ghana
RUSTIC PATHWAYS IN GHANA
Rustic Pathways first ventured into Africa in 1996. In 2011, we ran our first trips in the welcoming West African country of Ghana. With a great combination of touring and service programs, we offer students a comprehensive look at this fascinating destination and the chance to immerse themselves in local life.
AIRLINE INFORMATION and PROGRAM CONNECTIVITY
Escorted flights for Rustic Pathways students from Washington, D.C. to Accra run throughout the summer. U.S. students meet in Washington, D.C. and travel together with their flight leader to and from Accra. Please see rusticpathways.com/flights for details. All of our Ghana programs connect together seamlessly. All departure dates show physical departures from the United States. All Ghana programs begin in country on Wednesdays.
| FACT FILE | |
| Population | 24 million |
| Capital City | Accra |
| Currency | New Cedi – 1 U.S. dollar buys about 1.46 new cedis (as of August 2011) |
| Language | The official language is English, but the country is also home to 79 local languages and dialects. |
| Well-Known Attractions | Saint George's Castle – a stunning monument and a sobering reminder of the slave trade in West Africa Lake Volta – the largest reservoirs in the world and an important resource in Ghana Mole National Park – the best place to catch a glimpse of native wildlife |
LOCAL LINGO
| Tro-tros | Colorful vans that are the most common form of Ghanaian transportation |
| Maa che | Good morning |
| Akwaaba | Welcome |
DID YOU KNOW?
The name Ghana literally translates to "warrior king" and comes from the ancient Ghana Empire, which flourished in West Africa for over three centuries. Modern Ghana has over 100 different ethnic groups and is a colorful melting pot of different customs, traditions, and languages.
In 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence and has subsequently become one of Africa's most prosperous and successful democracies. In regard to the Ghanaian flag, the red represents the struggle for independence from the British, the gold is symbolic of the mineral wealth of the nation, the green stands for the country's rich agriculture, and the black star is synonymous with African emancipation.
Ghana has produced many influential international figures. Perhaps, the most famous Ghanaian is Kofi Annan, who was the United Nations Secretary-General and the co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for his founding of the Global AIDS and Health Fund to help battle dire health issues in developing nations.
