Trivia in Ghana

National symbols

Flag: Pan-African colored flag with horizontal red, yellow, and green stripes and a black five-pointed star in the center. Red symbolizes blood shed in independence struggle, yellow represents mineral resources, green indicates rich forests and farmland, and the black star signifies African freedom and unity.

Emblem: Coat of arms with a shield supported by two golden lions, featuring the national flag cross and black star, a castle, gold mine, cocoa tree, and Lake Volta. Above stands a golden African fish eagle wearing a black star.

Trivia & facts

• Ghana is a major cocoa bean exporter, with about 80% of Japan''s cocoa imports from Ghana.
• The nation name "Ghana" derives from the Ghana Empire (8th-13th century) located around present-day Mali.
• World''s largest artificial lake, Lake Volta, was created in 1965 by Akosombo Dam construction.
• Banknotes always print the black star symbolizing freedom.
• Ghanaians have traditional names for each day of the week, often called by their birth weekday name.
• While not the national sport, the football team "Black Stars" is the nation''s greatest unifying factor.
• Ghana-produced Kente cloth is called "wearable language" expressing status and messages through colors and patterns.
• The dry season from October to March brings the Saharan sandwind Harmattan southward, whitening visibility.
• Noguchi Memorial Medical Research Institute at the University of Ghana reflects deep Japan-Ghana medical exchange.
• The chocolate brand "Ghana" was launched in Japan by Lotte in 1964.
• Mole National Park offers walking safaris observing wild elephants.
• Government lottery proceeds are allocated to educational funds.
• West Africa''s oldest cinema "Ritz Cinema" remains in capital Accra.
• One traffic congestion cause is impromptu roadside markets with street vendors called "hawkers."
• Ghanaian bedtime stories frequently feature the clever spider "Anansi."