Social

Organization,
Values, Beliefs, &
Norms In Ghana
Social Norms and Rules to Follow
A lot of the social norms depend on which part of the country one
comes form.
Social norms differs in the more urban centers, such as Accra, where
we will be spending some of our time.
Different tribes and villages in the Ghana have specific, rules,
traditions, and social norms.
Rules to follow - Greetings
When first meeting someone it is appropriate to shake their hand.
Sometimes men will shake hands and put their middle and index
finger together, to pull apart and make a snapping sound. (This is a
newer tradition)
Any hand shake will be done with the right hand, because to the
Ghanaians the left hand is considered to be dirty.
A failure to acknowledge everyone at a gathering is considered a
failure and an insult.



Rules to Follow- Hospitality
Ghanaians are known to be social and friendly people.
They want their guest to feel very comfortable, like they are right at
home.
It is customary to walk with visitors out, take them to the car, or walk
them to a taxi.
Guests should know that one should remove shoes, before entering
a home.
One should remove shoes, before entering a home.

Rules to follow- Warnings!
Do not walk around eating food in Ghana.
Do not show public displays of affections. ( This is frowned upon)
Children are not being rude, or shy when they are talking to you
while looking at the ground. This is customary and they are
supposed too!
Family Life
In Ghana family is very important.
It is ones social security
A typical family is a mother, father, and their unmarried children
In Ghana it is common that there are additions to the house hold.
This includes elderly, cousins, and brothers and sisters to the mother
and father.
Daughters will move out of the house when married, and move in
with their new husband.
Polygyny does happen in some parts of Ghana.
Family Roles
Elderly Their role in the family is to share knowledge and traditions about Ghana, and
the family.
Children are told to learn by watching the adults.
Daughters (girls)- Have more household responsibilities. They begin to help their mothers
at a very young age.
Sons (boys)- Are told to focus more on school work, and having fun.
Fathers- Have the power in a traditional household, and in the society. Are supposed to
provide health and well-being to the family. Must make money so the family can have
food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare.
Mothers- Are supposed to care for the children, and take care of the household. They
are to cook and clean, and try to make their husbands happy.
Marriage
Dating is not a social norm.
In older Ghanaian traditions there was arranged marriages.
Now men and women pick their partners.
Marriage in Ghana, is a union between two families, not just two
people.
The legal marrying age is 18 for women, and 21 for men.
Women tend to get married in their early 20s, men in their late 20s.
Whole communities attend the wedding.
Ghanaians tend to have children early, because they are a sign of
wealth, and a happy marriage.
Gender Discriminations
Women have less of an opportunities than men.
Girls tend to drop out of school earlier, because they have to help
their mothers at home.
Girls are told they have to learn these tasks to make their future
husbands happy.
Times are changing, and more women in Ghana are becoming
educated and getting higher level jobs.

Crime and Violence
There is a medium amount of murder, corruption, and human
trafficking.
There is a low prison rate.
Crime is generalized into categories, offenses against the person,
property, public order, health, and molarity.
The most common offender are young adult males, between the
ages of 18 and 37.

Socio- Economics
Huge gap between the upper and lower class
Lack of a middle class.