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About Ghana*

Ghana is in West Africa between Togo and the Ivory Coast, on the Gulf of Guinea. Ghana is about the size of Oregon with over 22 million people. The climate is HOT — hot and humid in the south and hot and dry in the north. While English is the official nation language, there are more than 46 languages spoken across Ghana. Life expectancy is 59 years.

The Need In Ghana

Poverty

  • Average yearly income for Ghana ranges from $350 - $3,000 annually.
  • 28% of the population lives in poverty.
  • The three Northern Regions of Ghana are known as the poorest regions.
  • Combining farming and no-farming sources of income are relevant strategies for reducing poverty in the rural communities of Ghana.

Health care issues

  • Only 24% of the population has access to medical services.
  • High infant mortality rate in Ghana (for every 1000 live births 58 babies die before their 1st birthday compared to the US where 7 babies die there 1st birthday).
  • Malaria (biggest killer of children in Ghana).
  • HIV/Aids.
  • The villages of rural Ghana grow most of their food themselves – usually carb-heavy staple crops that are good for satisfying hunger, but not so good for providing the nutrients that growing children need.  Nutritious fish, meat, fruits and veggies are generally only available in the market – at prices that many rural Ghanaians can’t afford.
  • Access to water and sanitation facilities in Ghana is low, particularly in rural areas. Only 50 percent of the rural population in Ghana has access to water.

Education

  • Inequality in education of girls and women beyond basic level.
  • Sharp decline of girls entering secondary school compared to boys.
  • Only 17% of girls who complete high school register for college or university.
  • For the poorest households, education costs amount to almost one-third of the household income.
* Source: www.ghanaweb.com