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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)
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The unique culture of GhanaImpact on Family, Relationship & Work life
The History of ghana
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
History of colonization 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
Location
GHANA
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
Some important facts 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)
GovernancePast: 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
The Culture of ghana
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
Hofstede dimensions
Power distanceo How a society handles inequalities among people o Acceptance of Hierarchical order o Less powerful society accept & expect that power is distributed
unequally Individualism & Collectivismo Individualism-More of oneself and immediate family only o Collectivism-Relatively knitted societies & wider family support,
use of ’we rather than I’ Masculinity & Femininityo 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
Hofstede dimensions cont.
Uncertaintity avoidanceo 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
Indulgenceo Indulgence- Free gratification of basic & natural human drives
(enjoying life and having fun). Socialization is a keyo Restrains- Gratification of needs & regulates by strict social
norms
Geert-hofstede.com
Hofstede dimensions Ghana vs Finland
Power Dist
ance
(PDI)
Individuali
sm (ID
V)
Masc
ulinity
(MAS)
Uncerta
rntity
Avoidan
ce (U
AI)
Pragmati
sm (P
RA)
Indulgence
(IND)
0102030405060708090 80
15
40
65
4
72
33
63
26
59
38
57
GhanaFinland
Geert Hofstede (Oct. 1928 )
Geert-hofstede.com
Ghana vs finland: hofstede dimensionsDimensions 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
Ghana vs Finland: hofstede’s dimensions
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
Ghana’s Culture Impact on family & society
Unity: Support for one another. Communial societyDiscipline: Parental control, observation of public propertyRespect: Authority, Elderly, Status and (Wealthy)Expanded or Extended family nature Man considered as the head/leader of the familyFamily decision-making lies mostly with family head
(Abusuapanin)Belief plays important role in choices and decisionsStatus, titles and wealth are preeminent
N. Frank ’013
Ghana’s Culture Impact on relationship
Early relationship not common among Ghanaian culturesPuberty rites very important among some ethnic groupsFamily bethrothing (asiwa) was common in early ages-fading
out in recent timesBoth man and lady’s family considered part of the relationship
Other institutions such as the church becomes part as wellNormally 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
Ghana’s culture impact on work life
The flow of work is hierarchical Subordinates relie on management for decisionsEven though hierarchical workplace is relational as wellStatus, titles and achievements are respected Moral values are strongA handshake a normal practiceNormally traditional dress accepted on Fridays (common
among the women) Other matters are welcomed at work
N. Frank ’013
The melon or perception model
• Outside is:- The Perception & the Thinking
• Inside is:- The Reality
N. Frank ’013
THE SIGNIFICANT OF THE MODELThe 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
Questions are welcomed!
For further information contact: Frank NyarkoFounder/ManagerDivine Global [email protected]: +358-453414041Skype: k-frank512
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mSi-IGkJA
