Women in Mampong, southern Ghana Ghanaians come from six main ethnic groups: the Akan (Ashanti and Fanti), the Ewe, the Ga-Adangbe, the Mole-Dagbane, the Guan, and the Gurma. There is complete freedom of religion in Ghana. Fifty per cent of the population are Christian, 32 per cent are animists, and 13 per cent are Muslim. Funerals play an important part in Ghanaian life. Accra, the capital city Southern Ghana is home to the economic centre of the country, with resources such as gold and timber, a growing industrial base, and cocoa plantations which supply the main export crop. Subsequently, much of the political power is in the South. Despite recent moves to decentralise power, which it is hoped will give more control to regional administration, the North remains the most impoverished part of the country.

Inhabitants of northern regions suffer high levels of malnutrition, high infant and maternal mortality, poor food security, drought, and environmental degradation.

Like many other developing countries, Ghana’s health services are severely under-resourced. It is estimated that only 45 per cent of the rural population has access to health services. Urban areas fair better, with all regional capitals and most districts having hospitals and clinics. Herbal medicine and psychic healing are also generally practised.

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Photos for Oxfam GB by Penny Tweedie