1. When people want to get your attention here, they hiss like a snake.
2. Driving down the road you see obituary posters everywhere. They announce the death and say when the funeral will be held. Funerals can be held weeks or even months after the death, depending on the family. The funeral is held and then there is a big party with food, dancing, drinking, and rejoicing.
3. Ghanaina women do not have many rights in divorce, not even rights to property or children in many cases. In general, the culture is very male dominated. Domestic violence is very common and although it is technically a crime, no one does anything about it.
4. Kids roam the streets freely here. The community as a whole is expected to look out for them and help make sure they are safe.
5. Polygamy is still practiced in Ghana, especially by chiefs.
6. Having children in marriage is not only expected, it is considered an obligation to the community. Childless couples are seriously looked down upon. However, adoption is not common at all.
7. Abortion is illegal here and many women die trying to self abort.
8. Homosexuality if also illegal. However, you will see men walking down the street holding hands and it is a sign of close friendship, but nothing more.
9. Out of 51 countries in Africa, Ghana was rated 48th for sanitation. In the words of our professor (who is a Ghanaian): "I'm surprised it wasn't number 51." People urinate in the street all the time. "Flying toilets" are common (yes, it's exactly what you think.) The streets smell terrible. There are open sewage drains, which provide a great breeding ground for mosquitos, worsening the malaria problem.
10. Any religious phrase, verse, or theme is an appropriate name for a business in southern Ghana. Examples: Kings of Kings Beauty Shop, Still In God's Time Produce, and Sow in Tears Reap in Joy Welding... Gotta love culture.
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