This slides were about a lecture I had as a visiting teacher at Haaga-Helia, Pasila campus. The focus was to create an understanding of the uniqueness of the Ghanaian culture and the impact it has on family or society, relationship and work life. I tried to use Geert Hofstede cultural dimension theory about nations to compare the Ghanaian and Finnish culture.
At the end I used a model (Melon or Perception model) to enlighten the fact that perception is a general term and that it can limits receptability.
Ghana's culture creates in the people a sense of belonging since is more of 'a close type'. Ghanaians are polite, hospitable, social, hard working and peace loving people. Ghana has a very rich culture and endowed with rich natural resources. One key is that democracy has come to stay and the people are ready to do business with the outside world.
Do you want to do business or invest in Ghana? Do you want to have information about doing business in Ghana and how to go about it? Are you looking for someone to teach your company, team or institution about different cultures, business cultures and ethics (focus Africa)?
Do not hesitate to contact Divine Global Consult (www.divineglobalconsult.com)
2. TheHistoryofghana
The meaning of Ghana:
Ghana was derived from the
ancient Ghana empire
Ghana means the ”warrior King”-
From the old Ghana empire
Formerly known as Gold Coast –
Capital was Cape Coast
The colours in the flag are:
Red signifies those who shed their
blood for independence
Yellow signifies the minerals (e.g.
Gold)
Green signifies the vegetation
cover (e.g. The forest)
The Black Star signifies Ghana as
the star of Africa (Gateway to
Africa)
ghanaweb.com & wikipedia.org
3. Historyofcolonization
The Portuguese were first to arrive in 15th century (1471)
Traded in Gold, Ivory, Pepper
The Dutch also arrived in 1598
17th Century saw other Europeans joining
The English, The Danes and The Swedes
Slave trade increased
The Danes withdrew in 1850
Dutch withdrew in 1874, & Britain made the Gold Coast a
protectorate
The 19th century saw the British firmly established their
Colony
Political movements & nationalism in ghana (1945 - 1957)
ghanaweb.com & ghanaculture.net & wikipedia.org
5. Neighbours
Ghana is among 54 African countries
(6 are Islands)
And 16 West African countries
Bordering the Gulf of Guinea
between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo
Borded North by Burkina Faso, East
by Togo, West by Cote d’Ivoire &
South by The Gulf of Guinea (Cape
Three Point)
Other neighbouring countries
include: Nigeria, Benin, Mali and
Liberia
modernghana.com
6. Someimportantfacts
Ghana is divided into 10 regions
The Capital is Accra (Est. Populace 2,291,352 as of 2012 )
Total Land area-238,533 sq km (Finland-338,145 sq km )
The Population of Ghana-25,199,609 (July 2013 est.)
Age Structure
o 0-14yrs = 38.7%
o 15-24yrs = 18.8%
o 25-54yrs = 33.7%
o 55-64yrs = 4.7%
o 65yrs and Over = 4.1%
Offical Language-English
Currency is Ghana Cedis (Code: GHS)
indexmundi.com (CIA report on countries)
7. Governance
Past:
Gained independence on 6
March, 1957 from the British (1st
in Sub-Saharan)
Independent Republic 1 July 1960
Kwame Nkrumah was first Prime
Minister -Ruled from 1952-1966
Unstable government between
1966-1979
Many political unrest between the
period
The worse period 1979-1982
(coup)
Present:
Significant liberation period
1993-2000
A followed up to 1992
Constitution
1992 a New era of Democratic
dispensation began
A 4-year interval of presidential
& parliamentary elections
Multi-party state
Freedom of association, media
& press
Ghana.gov.gh & wikipedia.org
8. TheCultureofghana
Ghana has a very unique and rich culture
Considered to have over 100 Ethnic groups
About 9 major ethnic groups
o Akan, Ewe, Mole Dagbane, Guan, Ga Adanbge,
About 79 other languages or dialects are spoken
Religion and Culture very important
o Christianity 71.2% Islam 17.6% Traditional 5.2% Others 5.3%
Ascribe importance to Family
o Nuclear & Extended Family type
o Extended family type strongest
Family members are supported by each other
o Finance, education, housing, & jobs
Great emphasis on politeness, hospitality, and formality
everyculture.com & ghanaculture.net & wikipedia.org
9. Hofstededimensions
Power distance
o How a society handles inequalities among people
o Acceptance of Hierarchical order
o Less powerful society accept & expect that power is distributed
unequally
Individualism & Collectivism
o Individualism-More of oneself and immediate family only
o Collectivism-Relatively knitted societies & wider family support,
use of ’we rather than I’
Masculinity & Femininity
o Masculinity-Preference for achievements, heroism, assertiveness
and material reward for success
o Femininity-Preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the
weak and quality of life
Geert-hofstede.com
10. Hofstededimensionscont.
Uncertaintity avoidance
o Feeling uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity
o Dealing with the fact that the future is unknown (control it or
leave it to happen)
Pragmatism
o Short-term –focus on achieving quick results & to establish
absolute truth
o Long-term- that the truth depends very much on situation,
context and time (ability to adapt traditions to changed
conditions
Indulgence
o Indulgence- Free gratification of basic & natural human drives
(enjoying life and having fun). Socialization is a key
o Restrains- Gratification of needs & regulates by strict social
norms
Geert-hofstede.com
12. Ghanavsfinland:hofstededimensions
Dimensions Ghana Finland
PDI People accept hierarchical order without
further justifications
Hierarchy in organization reflect inherent
inequalities
Centralization is popular
Boss type work environment
Independent, hierarchy for
convenience & Equal rights
Power is decentralized & experience
of team members are important
Superiors are accessible
Communication is direct &
participative
IDV Loyalty in collective society/culture
Close long-term commitment
Society fosters strong relationships (each
members responsibility a key)
Offence leads to shame and lost of face
Employer/employee relationship seen in
moral terms
Individualistic (”I” )society
Individuals expected to take care of
themselves
Offence causes guilt & lose of self-
esteem
Contract base on mutual advantage
relationship
MAS A relatively feminine society
Focus on ”working in order to live”
Conflicts resolve by compromise &
negotiation
Managers strive for concensus
Free time and flexibility favoured
A feminine society
”Working in order to live”
Value equality, solidarity and quality
working lives
Decision making achieved through
involvement
Geert-hofstede.com
13. GhanavsFinland:hofstede’sdimensions
UAI Maintains rigid codes of believe and behaviour
Emotional needs for rules
Inner edge to be busy and hard work
Security an important element to individual
motivation
Maintains rigid codes of believe and
behaviour
Emotional need for rules (even if
seems not to work)
Time is money
Inner edge to be busy and hard
work
Security an important element
PRA A strong preference for normative way of
thinking
A strong concern with establishing absolute
truth
Exhibit great respect for traditions
Focus on achieving quick results
Normative culture
Normative thinking
Strong concern with establishing
absolute truth
Tradition is respected
Focus on achieving quick results
IND A positive attitude & tendency towards
optimism
High degree of importance on leisure time
Impulsive desire to enjoy life
Act as they pleased and spend money as
they wish
Indulgent country
Willingness and desires with regards
to enjoying life and fun
A positive attitude & tendency
towards optimism
Act as they pleased and spend
money as they wish
Geert-hofstede.com
14. Ghana’sCultureImpacton family&society
Unity: Support for one another. Communial society
Discipline: Parental control, observation of public property
Respect: Authority, Elderly, Status and (Wealthy)
Expanded or Extended family nature
Man considered as the head/leader of the family
Family decision-making lies mostly with family head
(Abusuapanin)
Belief plays important role in choices and decisions
Status, titles and wealth are preeminent
N. Frank ’013
15. Ghana’sCultureImpacton relationship
Early relationship not common among Ghanaian cultures
Puberty rites very important among some ethnic groups
Family bethrothing (asiwa) was common in early ages-fading
out in recent times
Both man and lady’s family considered part of the relationship
Other institutions such as the church becomes part as well
Normally Engagements and weddings involve a lot of people
Belief (religion) plays important role in choices and decisions
In some instances ethnicity also affect choice of partners
N. Frank ’013
16. Ghana’scultureimpacton worklife
The flow of work is hierarchical
Subordinates relie on management for decisions
Even though hierarchical workplace is relational as well
Status, titles and achievements are respected
Moral values are strong
A handshake a normal practice
Normally traditional dress accepted on Fridays (common
among the women)
Other matters are welcomed at work
N. Frank ’013
18. THESIGNIFICANTOFTHEMODEL
The Perception & the
Thinking
The Reality (tangible & intangible)
1. Generality 1. Unique resources/environment
2. Element of truth 2. Family, farming & business oriented people
(openess/ relational & hardworking)
3. Element of misleading 3. Support of one another (each others keeper)
4. Limitation of reception 4. Observation of neighbours & public property
(also social norms & values)
5. Respect to the elderly & authority
6. Free governance:- peace & security
7. Unique people with rich history & culture
8. Hospitable & peace-loving people
9. Greetings very important (handshake)
N. Frank ’013
19. Questions are welcomed!
For further information contact:
Frank Nyarko
Founder/Manager
Divine Global Consult
frank.nyarko@outlook.com
Mobile: +358-453414041
Skype: k-frank512
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mSi-IGkJA