
Badudwan: The Akan Ceremony That Honors Women for Prolific Childbearing
A description of a major Akan cultural ceremony to honor women for prolific childbearing
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A description of a major Akan cultural ceremony to honor women for prolific childbearing

The article explores the veracity of a story told about a foreign visitor who came to Ghana in 1957.

The article explains why the star in Ghana's flag is black, instead of white, silver or golden

Introduction One of the most profound pieces of wisdom in Ghanaian culture is the saying: "Good name is better than riches." The Akan version, "Din Pa Yɛ Sen Ahonya," conveys the same timeless messag

A Lesson in Humility On June 23, 2026, football fans around the world witnessed a result that few pundits predicted. The Ghana Black Stars, representing a nation once colonized by Britain, battled co

Introduction Among Ghana’s sixteen administrative regions, few possess the historical significance, educational prominence, and cultural richness of the Central Region. Located along Ghana’s southern

With barely a few hours to the encounter between Ghana and Panama, we try to explore and understand the nature of football legacy that comes with this encounter.

The Pet-to-Threat Phenomenon Many Black people throughout the Diaspora share stories of what has come to be known as the "pet-to-threat" phenomenon. The pattern is remarkably consistent. Initial succ

Introduction The Akan have a wise saying: "If you plant plantain, you will harvest plantain; if you plant cassava, you will harvest cassava; and if you plant pineapples, you will harvest pineapples."

A Nation Richly Endowed Ghana is richly blessed with natural and human resources. The country possesses some of the world's finest deposits of gold and diamonds. It is endowed with bauxite, manganese

A Generation Dissatisfied with the Status Quo Many young people around the world are deeply dissatisfied with the state of the world today. They are troubled by persistent injustices, armed conflicts

Ghana is widely celebrated as one of Africa's most stable democracies. Since the return to constitutional rule in 1992, the country has conducted regular elections, witnessed peaceful transfers of pow

In traditional Ghanaian society, old age is not merely a biological stage of life; it is a position of honor, wisdom, and social responsibility. Elderly men and women occupy a special place within fam

Introduction: When Two Revolutions Met The friendship between Kwame Nkrumah and Ahmed Sékou Touré was not a casual diplomatic acquaintance. It was an ideological alliance forged in the furnace of ant

In Akan society in Ghana, a chief occupies a revered and sacred position. He is the custodian of the land, the representative of the ancestors, and the moral leader of the community. The stool symboli

This article critiques the choice of the Ghanaian international Baba Rahman in a World Cup squad that lacks the qualities of athlectism and exuberant talent yet compensating with invisible clarity in experience.

Today's discussion in our series of coverage sports of the black stars heading into the world cup examines the provisional 28-man squad released by Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz.

A feature article from the Road to World Cup 2026 countdown series

As part of our dive down the memory lane with the Black Stars, we come to you with another incredible and important performance that highlights some of the best moments of the Ghana National team in the 2006 World Cup campaign.

The stadium clock in Cologne had barely ticked past the opening minute when Ghana announced itself to the world. A loose touch in the Czech Republic defence. A flash of movement. Then came the finish

From Childhood Fascination to Lifelong Pacifism My father used to tell us stories about the Second World War. As children, we listened with a mixture of awe and excitement. The accounts of military a

Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwamena is a distinguished and widely respected businessman from Nkwatia in the Kwahu enclave. Though originally from Nkwatia, he was raised in Nkawkaw, where he also began his early education at the elementary level. His academic journey took him through two notable institutions—

In the years following independence, Ghana set out to build not just a nation, but also a global presence. Among its boldest achievements was the creation of Ghana Airways, once one of Africa’s most respected national carriers. For decades, the airline symbolized ambition, connectivity, and national

The story of Ghana’s “Dream Team” is not merely a sporting tale; it is a generational narrative—one that reflects continuity, discipline, and the organic evolution of talent within Ghanaian football. Though the phrase “Dream Team” is more commonly associated with Olympic squads, in Ghanaian discours

In 2019, Ghana made a bold and historic statement to the world. Through an initiative known as the Year of Return 2019, the country invited people of African descent across the globe to reconnect with their roots, history, and identity. This was not just a tourism campaign. It was a deeply symbolic

History is rarely linear. It moves in cycles—of rise, dispersal, memory, and resurgence. In July 2010, under the floodlights of Soccer City in Johannesburg, a moment unfolded that seemed to collapse centuries into ninety minutes (and then one hundred and twenty). Ghana’s Black Stars stood on the bri

Few infrastructure projects in the history of Ghana have had as profound an impact as the construction of the Akosombo Dam. Built in the early years of Ghana’s independence, the project symbolized the ambitious development vision of the country’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who believed that ind

With colonialism came missionaries who sought to convert Africans to Christianity and, in the process, reshape African ways of life. This encounter was not culturally neutral. It involved a systematic attempt—sometimes subtle, often overt—to redefine African identity, values, and social institutions

A Nation Defined by Peace In a region and continent that have, at various historical moments, been scarred by conflict and instability, Ghana stands out as a compelling example of relative peace. Since gaining independence in 1957, the country has largely avoided the large-scale civil wars that have

Introduction Adinkra cloth is one of the most important traditional textiles of Ghana and a significant cultural expression among the Akan people, particularly the Asante. Unlike Kente cloth, which is woven, Adinkra cloth is made by stamping symbolic designs onto fabric using special dyes. The cloth

A Historic Emblem of Independence The Ghana national flag is more than a piece of cloth fluttering in the wind; it is a powerful symbol of the country’s history, aspirations, and identity. First officially adopted on March 6, 1957—the same day Ghana became the first African nation to gain independen

The Akan of GhanaThe Akan are an ethnic group that live in Ghana. They occupy a broad stretch of territory extending from the coastal areas to the central forest belt of the country. Historically and culturally, the Akan constitute one of the largest ethnolinguistic groups in Ghana and share closely

In the history of Ghana, few names command as much reverence and admiration as Kwame Nkrumah. More than half a century after his passing, the memory of the man who led the nation to freedom continues to inspire generations. His words echo in political discourse, his ideas shape national debates, and

The leadership of Yaa Asantewaa in the 1900 war against British colonial rule remains one of the most extraordinary and symbolically powerful episodes in African resistance history. Her decision to lead the Ashanti (Asante) in armed rebellion was not an accident of circumstance—it emerged from a com

Introduction: Why March Matters Every year, the month of March occupies a sacred place in Ghana’s historical calendar. On 6 March 1957, under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah, the Gold Coast became Ghana — the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from British colonial rule. March is

For many years, this question has generated curiosity, debate, and speculation. But the answer lies not only in romance. It lies in politics, diplomacy, and a bold continental vision during one of the most transformative periods in African history. When Ghana gained independence from Britain on Marc

In the years following Ghana’s independence in 1957, one of the most influential political and intellectual concepts articulated by Kwame Nkrumah was “neo-colonialism.” For Nkrumah, independence did not mark the end of foreign domination in Africa. Instead, he argued that a new, more subtle form of

The relationship between newspapers and Ghana’s Independence Day celebrations is deeply rooted in the country’s political history and media evolution. From the late colonial period through the attainment of independence in 1957 and into the post-colonial era, newspapers played a central role in docu

In the years surrounding Ghana’s independence and early nation-building period (roughly the mid-1950s through the early 1960s), one of the most persistent and consequential public discussions revolved around the tension between press freedom and national unity. Newspapers themselves became both the

The emergence of Ghana as an independent nation in 1957 was not only a political milestone but also a global media event. Newspapers—both local and international—played a decisive role in announcing the birth of the new state to the world. Through headlines, editorials, photographs, and diplomatic r

The portrayal of Kwame Nkrumah as a national hero was not simply a spontaneous public perception—it was carefully shaped, amplified, and sustained through newspapers and other media channels during the late colonial and early post-independence periods. In the Gold Coast, now Ghana, the press played

Early Life and Education Kwame Nkrumah was born in 1909 in what Ghana is now, West Africa. He studied both in Ghana and overseas, gaining knowledge that would later shape his vision for his country and the continent. Leader of Ghana’s Independence Nkrumah emerged as one of the most prominent politic

The end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the nineteenth century is often presented in historical narratives as a clear moral victory led by European abolitionists. However, in reality, the process was complex, uneven, and frequently misrepresented—particularly in early newspapers and colonial re

The qualification of the Ghana national football team — popularly known as the Black Stars — for the 2006 FIFA World Cup stands as one of the most transformative milestones in Ghana’s sporting and national history. It was not merely a football achievement; it was the culmination of decades of ambiti

Along the wind-carved coastline of southern Ghana, among the Fante, physical games were never idle diversions. They were social rehearsals—training grounds for endurance, hierarchy, and communal rhythm. Two in particular—Atentam and Osibir—stand out in the historical record. Atentam derives from the

Long before colonial stadium lights and organised leagues, the sandy shores and village squares of the Gold Coast—today’s Ghana—were vibrant arenas where traditional wrestling was among the most respected cultural practices. From the early 19th century up to the turn of the 20th century, indigenous

In Ghana, the overwhelming majority of people accused of witchcraft are women and girls. Nearly all victims killed during witch hunts are female. In the so-called “witch camps” or “outcast homes” in northern Ghana, it is rare to find a man among the residents. The population is almost entirely women

In Ghanaian society, names are never random. A name is a story, a memory, a prayer, a verdict on experience, or a declaration of destiny. Ghanaian surnames—particularly Akan surnames—carry deep cultural meanings that often encode family history, spiritual beliefs, social struggles, and moments of tr

Kwame Nkrumah is one of the foremost Pan-Africanists Africa has ever produced. He devoted his life to the political, economic, and cultural liberation of the African continent. He played a leading role in the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (A

Feminism Is Not a Dirty Word Sexism is wrong. It is prejudice and discrimination against people because of their sex or gender. In many societies, including Ghana, sexist attitudes are often directed at women and girls. These attitudes show up in everyday behavior—how women are spoken to, how their

When Two Elephants Fight, the Earth Underneath Suffers Marriage is ideally meant to be a source of companionship, love, and emotional security between husband and wife. Yet in Ghana, as in many societies across the world, the promise of marital bliss is too often shattered by domestic violence, part

No one is born with knowledge. Human beings are born with the capacity to learn, but what they eventually know—how they speak, think, behave, believe, and interpret the world—is acquired from society. Knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills are socially produced and socially transmitted. By the tim

In every society, people occupy different positions called statuses. A status is simply the position a person holds in society. Throughout life, one person can have many statuses at the same time—for example, being a child, a parent, a worker, a student, or a citizen. Sociologists talk about two mai

When entering a typical town or village in Ghana, a traveler is often welcomed by a metal signpost bearing the name of the place. These names are familiar to residents, yet many people rarely pause to ask an important question: How did this town get its name? In Ghana, as in many parts of the…

A new religious movement has emerged in Ghana known as Asomdwee Ntonton Som, a name that translates literally as “Peace and Exaltation Religion.” Ghana is a deeply multireligious society, long accustomed to religious plurality. Christianity—represented by historic denominations such as Catholic, Pre

Traffic accidents in Ghana are more than statistics—they are daily tragedies that claim lives, ruin families, and leave survivors with lifelong injuries. Beyond the loss of life, road crashes lead to pain, suffering, disability, and economic hardship for individuals and communities alike. Recent dat

Time to Break Old Beliefs For too long, society has told girls they are weaker, less capable, or meant to play second fiddle to boys. It’s time to shatter that myth. Girls can do it all—excel in school, lead in government, innovate in business, and make decisions that shape nations. Gender does not

Discarding Outdated Beliefs It is time for Africans to discard the outdated belief that boys and girls differ in abilities and potential. For too long, harmful cultural attitudes have suggested that women should play second fiddle to men. But reality proves otherwise: for everything a boy or a man c

Every society has norms, which are rules that guide behavior. One important norm in Ghana concerns the use of the left hand in social interactions. Traditionally in Ghana, using the left hand in social interactions can be problematic. Giving something to someone or receiving something with the left

If there is one idea that has mattered more to Ghana than any other from the Gold Coast era to the present, it is the struggle for self-governance and accountable leadership. From colonial domination to modern democracy, Ghana’s history has been shaped by a single, powerful question: Who governs us,

Politics Before the State Called Ghana Long before the name Ghana was adopted in 1957, the land and peoples of the Gold Coast had already developed sophisticated political systems. Politics in Ghana did not begin with Europeans or colonial rule; it evolved from indigenous governance structures, cust