Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Prof. R. Venkatesh
By
Prathamesh Juwale
Ishani Kulkarni
Sanman Mhatre
Harshini Murlidharan
Disha Telang
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Capital: Accra
Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in
Amazonian jungle lowlands
Population: 23,382,848 (July 2008 est.)
Ethnic Make-up:
Akan 45.3%
Mole-Dagbon 15.2%
Ewe 11.7%
Ga-Dangme 7.3%
Guan 4%
Gurma 3.6%
Grusi 2.6%
Mande-Busanga 1%
other tribes 1.4%
other 7.8% (2000 census)
Religions:
The People
There are over 100 ethnic groups living in Ghana. The largest are Akan, Moshi-Dagbani,
Ewe, and Ga. The Ashanti tribe of the Akan are the largest tribe and one of the few societies
in West Africa where lineage is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. Once
famous for the luxury and wealth of their rulers, they are now more renowned for their
craftwork such as hand-carved tools, fertility dolls, and kente cloth. Kente cloth is made
cotton and is woven in bright, narrow strips with complex patterns.
The Family
Family is a very strong bond in Ghana and is the primary source of identity, loyalty and
responsibility. Family obligations take precedence over pretty much everything else in life.
Individuals achieve recognition and social standing through their extended family.
An interesting cultural variation among the Akan, or Ashanti and Fanti people, is that
affiliation within the clan is through women. Mothers have a higher status as in their point of
view people get their blood from mothers.
It is important for Ghanaians to maintain dignity, honour, and a good reputation. The entire
family shares any loss of honour, which makes the culture a collective one. In order to protect
this sense of face there is a need to maintain a sense of harmony; people will act with
decorum at all times to ensure they do not cause anyone embarrassment.
Hierarchy
Business Meetings
Initial meetings are really all about finding out about one another and if a personality fit
allows for future, more business specific meetings. One should therefore expect to spend
quite a good deal of time in relationship and rapport building. Do not be surprised if business
is not really discussed much at all.
First meetings may also tend to be a little stiffer and formal although once a rapport has been
built this will soon dissipate. It is important to maintain a polite and somewhat reserved
demeanour.
Hierarchy is respected so the most senior person is greeted first. He/she may be the
spokesperson for the group or may deputise key stakeholders to speak.
Ghanaians have a keen sense of humour and enjoy telling jokes. However until you have
understood their sense of humour it is best to refrain from telling jokes yourself. If a
Ghanaian teases you take it good-naturedly. For the most part, this shows they are becoming
more relaxed with you.
Often you are asked to remove your shoes, hat and sunglasses before entering the room of the
chief. Stand until you have been directed where to sit. Never cross your legs, ankles or arms
in the presence of a chief. Again, follow the lead of the spokesman. You must wait for the
royal to extend his hand to shake yours. Use your right hand only for greetings (never use the
left hand as that is an insult.) Then you shake with your right hand while covering his hand
with the other.
You may be offered a drink after libation is poured. It is disrespectful to refuse. The drink is
usually strong. One to three sips will make the people happy. If you do not drink alcohol, say
so respectfully. When leaving the presence of royals, it is customary to ask for permission to
leave. Someone will probably accompany you to your car.
B] Social etiquettes
Meeting Etiquette
Gifts need not be expensive; the thought is more important than the value.
If invited to dinner at a Ghanaians home, you are not expected to bring a gift.
However, a gift for the children is always a nice touch as it shows a concern for
family.
Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand.
Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper
colour.
Gifts are not always opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
Some Donts
Never keep someone waiting in the living room while you eat.
Never sniff any food or beverage offered you.
Keep the LEFT hand away from greetings, eating or receiving anything from
someone else
Never tell someone to "shut up"
Never use words like beast/monkey", "foolish", "silly","fool" or "stupid."
Women should avoid wearing shorts to Ghanaian functions
C] Trade Figures:
Products exported by Ghana:
Gold
Crude Petroleum
Cocoa Beans
Cocoa Paste
$7.2Bn
$3Bn
$2.39Bn
$387M
Manganese Ore
Refined Petroleum
Petroleum Gas
$215M
$214M
$198M
Processed Fish
$150M
$144M
Vegetable Products
$223M
$990M
Cars
$862M
Delivery Trucks
$702M
Chemical Products
$780M
Refined Petroleum
$590M
Foodstuffs
$580M
$528M
Textiles
$393M
Rice
$337M
$212M
D] Product Identified:
After studying the various statistics relating to the trade figures of Ghana as well as
India, it was identified that Refined Petroleum is such a product that is imported by
Ghana in a huge amount and at the same time is exported by India in a substantial
volume.
India on the other hand exports Refined Petroleum to a host of nations except Ghana.
The export destinations of this product are countries like Singapore, UAE, South
Korea, Japan, Turkey, Israel, Kenya and Brazil amongst other nations.
This clearly shows that Refined Petroleum can be an export opportunity for India.
It is an Irony that Ghana exports a large volume of Crude Petroleum to many nations
and has to Import a large chunk of refined petroleum.
From the above statistics we can consider Refined petroleum as a product to be exported to
Ghana.
References
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/ghana.html
http://www.internations.org/ghana-expats/guide/working-in-ghana-15778/businessetiquette-in-ghana-3
http://www.noworriesghana.com/sections/etiquette
http://atlas.media.mit.edu/explore/tree_map/hs/export/ind/show/2710/2012/