Why Ghana Made $1.9 Billion Through Tourism in 2019?. #M-Cudi

2019 themed the Year Of Return in Ghana, attracted over 1.1 million persons who visited to experience the Peace, Security & Beautiful Spirit of its people, arts and culture. The event also generated over $1.9 Billion for the economy, and Ghana showcased its food and culture to the world. Still, there is a lot about the monetary value of Ghana's history, culture, and land structure beneficial to its people and the world.

Ghana's richness in history, Arts and culture make it a perfect start point for Agro-Housing around Africa. Team M-Cudi believes Ghana's Richness in history, Arts, culture and land structure can generate Jobs and affordable housing for persons within and outside Ghana through Agro-Housing powered by M-Cudi. However, to better understand M-Cudi Agro-Housing Initiative (A Man, Plant and Animal Eco-System), we believe it is essential you know this little about Ghana.

 Ghana

The etymology of Ghana's name means "Strong Warrior King" and was the title accorded to the kings of the medieval Ghana Empire, thus Ashanti Empire and Kingdom of Dagbon in West Africa. Ghana, formerly called Gold Coast, meaning Land of Gold, was named by the Arabs during the Trans-Saharan trades as a land full of riches. Talk of Gold, Diamond, Timber, bronze, Iron, Bauxite and the recently discovered riches; Crude Oil. Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the First Black African Country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. 

The country takes its name from the great medieval trading empire northwest of the modern-day state until its demise. The first permanent state in present-day Ghana was the Bono state of the 11th century.

These states included Bonoman (Brong-Ahafo Region), Ashanti (Ashanti Region), Denkyira (Western North region), Mankessim Kingdom (Central province), and Akwamu (Eastern region). Numerous kingdoms and empires emerged over the centuries. The most powerful were the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and the Ashanti Empire in the south, Beginning in the 15th century. 

Ghana's Trade, Regions Population and Area Size

Direct sea trade with Europe, established in the 15th century, impacted the inhabitants, many of whom actively traded with the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and other Europeans. Although trading was centred on Gold readily available in the area (and from which the future British colony the Gold Coast would take its name), the focus shifted to the lucrative slave trade in the 17th century. 

Castles And Forts

Many still dot the Ghanaian coast today were built by Europeans to protect their trade interests. They contested the area for trading rights until the British ultimately established coast control by the late 19th century. As a result, Ghana's current borders took shape encompassing four separate British colonial territories (Gold Coast, Ashanti, the Northern Territories and British Togoland) over a century of native resistance.  

The area later became known for growing cocoa, introduced in the late 19th century by Tetteh Quarshie an Akwapem upon his return from Fernando Po. Cacao continues to provide an essential export for Ghana.

Regions Population and Area Size

To Ghana's south is the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, sharing borders with the Ivory Coast in the West, Burkina Faso in the North, and Togo in the East. Ghana covers an area of 238,535 km2 (92,099 sq. mi), spanning geography and ecology that ranges from coastal savannahs to tropical rain forests and with a population of an estimate of 35 million is second after Nigeria. Accra is the Capital and the largest city; other major cities include Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi. These cities are among the 16 Regional Capitals in Ghana. Among these cities are Sunyani, Wa, Bolgatanga, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Ho, Nalerigu, Wiawso, Goaso, Dambai and Damongo, Techiman. Each regional capitals have specific unique features that distinguish them from one another but will talk about only these selected few Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Sekondi-Takoradi and WA.

Accra:  A word derived from the Akan word Nkran meaning "Ants", a reference to the numerous anthills seen in the countryside around Accra. 

The name refers explicitly to soldier Ants and was applied to both the town and people by the Twi speakers. Accra is the Capital of Ghana, covering an area of 225.67 km2 (87.13 sq. mi) with an estimated urban population of 4.2 million as of 2020. The name formed from the merger of distinct settlements around British Fort James, Dutch Fort Crêvecoeur (Ussher Fort), and Danish Fort Christiansburg as Jamestown, Ushertown, and Christiansburg, respectively. Accra served as the Capital of the British Gold Coast between 1877 and 1957 and has since transitioned into a modern metropolis. The Capital's architecture reflects its history, ranging from 19th-century colonial architecture to modern skyscrapers and apartment blocks.

Kumasi: The name derived from the Twi language, meaning "Under the Kum tree." The word "Ase" or "Asi" means "under, down, or below" and is used in many place names in Ghana such as Obuasi, Daboase and Kenyase. (historically spelt Comassie and usually spelt Kumasi in Twi) is a city in Ashanti Region is among the largest metropolitan areas in Ghana. 

Kumasi is near Lake Bosomtwe, a rain forest region, and the commercial, industrial and cultural Capital of the historical Ashanti Empire. It is approximately 500 kilometres (300 mi) north of the Equator and 200 kilometres (100 mi) north of the Gulf of Guinea, alternatively known as "The Garden City" because of its many species of flowers and plants in the past. It is also called Oseikrom (Osei Tutu's town).Kumasi is the second-largest city in Ghana after Accra. The Central Business District of Kumasi includes areas such as Adum, Bantama, Pampaso and Bompata (popularly called Roman Hill) with a concentration of banks, department stalls, and hotels. Economic activities in Kumasi include financial and commercial sectors, pottery, clothing and textiles. In addition, there is a colossal timber processing community in Kumasi serving the needs of people in Ghana. Bantama High Street and Prempeh II Street in Bantama and Adum, respectively, are business and nightlife hubs in Kumasi.

Sunyani: is a city and the capital town of the Bono Region and the Sunyani Municipal of Ghana. Sunyani had a population of 74,240 at the 2010 population and housing census.

The city consists mainly of the Bonos by the tribe. The town of Sunyani rose as an outpost camp for elephant hunters during the 19th century; its name derives from the Akan word for elephant, 'Osono'. Sunyani is proliferating and has effectively engulfed the suburbs of Fiapre and Abesim, amongst others. Sunyani is a clean and well-maintained city with a thriving economy. The economy of Sunyani is predominantly Agrarian approximately 48% of its population engaged in agriculture production. About 24 per cent of the people indulge in the service sector, commerce and industry.

 Sekondi-Takoradi: is a city in Ghana comprising the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi, the Capital of Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Western Region of Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi is the region's largest city and an industrial and commercial centre with 445,205 people as at 2012.

The chief industries in Sekondi-Takoradi are timber, cocoa processing, plywood, shipbuilding, its harbour and railway repair, and recently, sweet crude oil and crude oil. Jobs in Sekondi-Takoradi is fishing. Sekondi-Takoradi lies on the main railway lines to Kumasi and Accra. The city is currently named the Oil City of Ghana due to the massive discovery of oil in the Western Region and has attracted massive migration from people worldwide.

WA: A town and is the Capital of Wa Municipal District and the Upper West Region of north Ghana. Wa has a 2012 settlement population of 102,446. Features of the town include several churches and mosques, the Wa-Na Palace, the St. Andrew's Catholic cathedral, the University for Development Studies (UDS), a museum and a hippopotamus sanctuary. 

The geography of Wa is notable for the dramatic Monadnock Ombo Mountain, which is located around Kaleo and visible from much of the Wa town. Other notable towns around the Wa region include Naaha and Ga. 

This town serves as a transportation hub for the Upper West Region, with major roads leading north to Hamile, and northeast to Tumu and the Upper East Region with an Airstrip.

TRIBES, FOOD AND LANGUAGES

Ghana is a multinational state, home to a variety of ethnic, linguistic and religious groups. Akan, Ewe, Guan, Ga-Adangbe, Dangbane and Gurma are the current major ethnic groups. The vast majority of Ghanaians are Christian (71.2%), with close to a fifth being Muslim and a tenth practising traditional faiths or reporting no religion. Ghana has about 50 indigenous languages, including Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagaare, and Dagbani, with English as the official language. With the various ethnic groups, every group has different varieties of foods. Local food by the Nzema are; Attiéké or Akyeke, Plakali (all made from cassava), served with avocado, Fufu and light soup with mushrooms or snails. Popular drinks are coconut juice, palm wine and akpeteshie.

Kokonte or Abete (dried, peeled cassava powder) eaten by the Kwahu, Mpotompoto (yam casserole or porridge), Omo Tuo/Rice ball, Fufu—pounded cassava and plantain, pounded yam and plantain, or pounded cocoyam is also eaten by the Akan's.

Akple (made with corn flour) eaten with pepper sauces, stews or any soup, amongst it is yam ampesi and yam fufu with palm-nut soup, abolo with shrimps and one man thousand, banku with okro stew or pepper, red red and fried plantain is eaten by the Ewe's.

Fante's though Akan's, also have their own exceptional food. The main dishes include fante dorkunu (kenkey with fish and gravy), Mpotompoto, fufu and palm nut soup, jollof rice, fante fante (palm oil stew with small fresh fish) and tatale (fried plantain cakes), ampesi and oto (mashed yam).

Tuo Zaafi is a millet, sorghum or maize dish eaten by the people in the Northern part of the country as well as omo tuo or rice ball with groundnut or green leaves soup, beans or cowpea with shea nut oil and pepper called tubaani, koko or millet/corn porridge eaten with koose (fried bean cakes). Beverages include pito, a locally brewed beer made from millet, zom kroom or toasted millet flour in water and fula mashed in water, milk, ginger and sugar.

The main dishes in Ga and the Adangbes thus people of Accra original inhabitants include kenkey /komi/kun, Is a fermented steamed corn dough which is eaten with hot pepper and fried fish. Banku with fried fish and pepper or with okro or groundnut soup, red red or yo-ko-gari, bean stew, fried plantain or tatale, omo tuo (rice balls) served with palm or groundnut soup. 

TOURISM AND WHY COME /DO BUSINESS IN GHANA

In 2011, 1,087,000 tourists visited Ghana. Tourist arrivals to Ghana include South Americans, Asians, Europeans, and North Americans. 

The attractions and major tourist destinations of Ghana include a warm, tropical climate year-round, diverse wildlife, waterfalls such as Kintampo waterfalls and the largest waterfall in West Africa, Wli waterfalls, Ghana's coastal palm-lined sandy beaches, caves, mountains, rivers, and reservoirs and lakes such as Lake Bosomtwi and the largest artificial lake in the world by surface area, Lake Volta, dozens of forts and castles, World Heritage Sites, nature reserves and national parks(Mole National Park).

 In addition to the beautiful natural reserves that serve as tourist sites, some castles in Ghana serve as tourist sites and attract many tourists worldwide. Some of the special courts are Cape Coast Castle and the Elmina Castle, all in the Central region of Ghana. Not only are the castles important for tourism, they also mark where blood was shed in the slave trade and preserve and promote the African heritage stolen and destroyed through the slave trade. 

As a result, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention named Ghana's castles and forts as World Heritage Monuments. The World Economic Forum statistics in 2010 showed that out of the world's favourite tourist destinations, Ghana was ranked 108th out of 139 countries (Team M-Cudi aims to make it top 3). Ghana moved two places up from 2009 rankings. In 2011, Forbes magazine published that Ghana was ranked the eleventh friendliest country in the world. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travellers. Of all the African countries that were in the survey, Ghana ranked highest. 

Tourism is the fourth-highest earner of foreign exchange for the country. In 2017, Ghana ranked as the 43rd–most peaceful country in the world. A growing tourist attraction in Ghana is surfing. Up and down the coastline, several spots have been identified and cultivated by locals and internationals alike. Renowned surfers have made trips to the country to sample the waves. Suitable for beginners and seasoned surfers alike, the waves have quality and consistency to suit all skill levels. It is not unusual now to see surfers carrying their boards amid traditional Ghanaian fishing vessels. Busua, Kokrobite, and Muuston boast some of the country's best surf in warm, tropical waters.

Team M-Cudi believes Ghana can achieve a first choice destination reputation that combines relaxation, adventure, and holidays and Business. Visit https://mcudi.io for details about Agro-Housing.