Africa is a culture-rich continent composed of bountiful countries that one can surely explore and immerse themselves in. It is the second-largest continent and houses rich culture and offers beauty beyond imagination. In its western region, you will find Ghana. Officially known as the Republic of Ghana, it is comparatively small in land area and residents, it is considered one of the more thriving countries in the continent because of its natural resources. Home to 18 million residents, this nation within the continent of Africa offers its culture and history to the world. Ghana, formerly known as the “Gold Coast”, derives its name from its long history of trading gold. Ghana’s celebrated history dates back as far as 10,000 BCE and participated in great medieval trading until its demise in the 13th century. It later continued its heritage with direct trading with Europe in the 15th century.  In the course of history, the trading focus shifted from the export of gold to the growing of cacao which continues today. More recently, the Republic of Ghana gained its independence from Britain with the help of Nationalist and Pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah, which envisioned that the independence of the country of Ghana is significant not only to its own people, but to the entire continent. With this movement, several neighboring African countries, led by Ghana’s example, followed, and proclaimed their own independence within the succeeding years. Its economy, like the other African countries, is a combination of private and public partnerships. Before gaining its independence, the government’s key role was restricted mainly to the management of basic commodities, like water, electricity, public railroads, and postal services. The other main sectors like agriculture and commerce were almost entirely controlled by the private sector. Shortly after gaining independence, the government was able to expand its control over the economy with the help of the launching of state-owned operations aimed to control agriculture and industry. Ghana also boasts its tourism potential as it prides itself on diverse natural, historical, and cultural resources. In fact, the country’s tourism is a key economic driver that generates foreign exchange earnings, creates opportunities, as well stimulates another sectors of the economy. It is currently the fourth largest source of foreign exchange earnings estimated at 2.2 million USD in 2015 that overall contributes 4.8% to the country’s GDP. Ethnicity-wise, Ghana contains a great deal of diversification. Ghana may be said to find its roots in the broad group within the African family, but with great diversity. Akan’s top the list, with over 40% of the population. Other diverse groups such as EWE, Ga, Adangme, Guan, and Kyerepong are found in the south region. In the North, Gonja, Dagomba, and Mamprussi top the list. Notwithstanding the rich diversity among its people, there were serious ethnic implications when Ghana gained independence. While ethnic awareness and tolerance resonated within many areas country, it did not stop the eruption of violent clashes that resulted in fatalities. In the effort to curb the ethnic conflicts, the government adopted English as the official national language. With English as the national language, it is also rooted in the heritage of its previous colonial history. Ghanaians speak a unique Western African version of English involving their own variations. The population’s “mother tongue” includes over 60 dialects. Akan is the most widely used has acquired informal national language acceptance. Ga-Adangme and Ewe are also common. Hausa, which originates from Nigeria, is spoken as a trade language amongst the locals. A few Ghanaians are also proficient in French, thanks to its neighboring border countries. Ghanaians’ diet is comprised mainly of starchy staples partnered with soup and stews. Forest crops, like cassava, and cocoyam (commonly known as Taro) are commonly found in the south. Corn is also popular among the locals, especially among Ga. The country’s main dish is known as “fufu”. This dish is modofied to taste depending on what is used to make it, but overall, it has a slightly mild and sour taste and has been compared to both sweet potatoes and potatoes. Its subtle flavor makes it the perfect accompaniment for rich, bold African soups. The term “fufu” or “fufuo”, translates to “mash and mix” a soft and doughy food. In Ghana, different variations of this dish are made of boiled cassava and other tubers like plantain and or cocoyam (Taro). It is combined together and mixed in a locally made mortar (woduro) using a wooden pestle (woma). In between each grind of the pestle, the mixture is delicately handled and turned by hand, and water is added until it becomes slurry, sticky and soft. The resulting food is best partnered with soup or stew. Today, it features different variations from the neighboring countries. If you visit this country, Fufu is one thing of the long list you must try.  You can also try a myriad of cuisines unique to Ghana. As root crops are staples there, their cuisine uses these as main ingredients. For foods made with rice, you might try Waakye – made from rice and beans with purple-brown color. This dish carries striking similarities to Indian rice and peas and is normally cooked and steamed in leaf, coconut, and beans. Omo Tuo (or rice balls) is sticky mashed rice, best partnered with viands, soups, and stews. Another popular Ghanaian dish is Jollof rice, which is a rice dish cooked in a stew, consisting of flavorful stock, tomatoes, spices, and meat cooked together.  Adapted from the colonial period, this dish is typically eaten with the meat of your choice such as lamb, goat, or chicken, either roasted or grilled. Lastly, the Angwa moo that is also termed “oiled rice”. Unlike the typical fried rice that most of us are familiar with, in which you use cooked rice for frying, this one takes a different approach. This dish starts with sauteing the onion in the pan and adding water to give the rice a different aroma. The rice is then cooked in this concoction that gives it its distinction. Another variation of this dish includes other vegetables cooked together. Minced meat is often added to further the taste experience. You may also try other dishes made from beans, yams, and corn. On a typical Ghanaian table, side dishes are served with stew or soup. Instead of the typical soups being side dishes, here, soups are served as the main course.. Ghanaians take a refined approach to their soup and stew dishes, with the use of a wide variety of herbs and spices to give you an experience truly unique to this nation. Staple ingredients to their soup are palm nuts, peanuts, cocoyam, mushrooms, make up the main ingredients. Different meats like pork, lamb, smoked turkey, tripe, and dried snails are common superstars in a Ghanian soup as reliable sourc