Essay on African origins of civilization

Murdock traces the cradle of Neolithic civilization in Africa to the Mande area of West Africa. The independent development of the Neolithic culture in the area, according Murdock, started earlier than 4,500 B.C. It was an independent ‘genuine invention, not a borrowing from another people’. Murdock’s claim, which is based on excellent research, may be rejected by racist scholars who deny the African an indigenous cultural heritage. More

Other Writings

Global Golden Rule

Islam: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."
Number 13 of Immam "Al-Nawawiâ's Forty Hadiths"

Ancient Egyptians: "Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do."
The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant 1640 BCE

Judaism: "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." Leviticus 29.18

Christianity: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Mathew 7:12, King James Version

Hinduism: "This is the sum of the duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you." Mahabharata 5:1517

Buddhism: "..a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?"
Samyutta NIkaya v. 353

Confucianism: "Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you."
Analects 15.23

Shinto: "Be charitable to all beings, love is the representative of God."
Ko-ji-ki hachiman Kasuga

Taoism: "Regard your neighbor's pain as your own pain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss."
T-ai Shang Kan ing Pâ'ine

Sikkism: "Compassion-mercy and religion are the support of the entire world."
Japji Sahib

Humanism: (5) "Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity."

Islam: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."
Number 13 of Immaman "Al-Nawawiâ's Forty Hadiths"

About The Republic of Ghana

Ghana is bounded on the north and northwest by Burkina Faso, on the east by Togo, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by Cote d'Ivoire. Formerly a British colony known as the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence (1957). The country is named after the ancient empire of Ghana, from which the ancestors of the inhabitants of the present country are thought to have migrated. The total land area is 92,100 square miles (238,537) square kilometres).

Ghana is a lowland country, except for range of hills on the eastern border. The sandy coastline is backed by a coastal plain that is crossed by several rivers and streams, gene rally navigable only by canoe. In the west the plain is broken by heavily forested hills and many streams and rivers. To the north lies an undulating savanna that is drained by the Volta river, which flows south to the sea through a narrow gap in the hills. Lake Volta, in the east, is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. Ghana's highest point, in the eastern hills, is about 2,900 feet (884 meters) above sea level.

The climate of Ghana is tropical, but temperatures vary with season and elevation. Except in the north, two rainy seasons occur, from April to June and from September to November. In the north the rainy season begins in March and lasts until September. Annual rainfall ranges from about 40 inches (1,015 millimetres) in the north to about 80 inches (2,300 millimetres) in the south-east.

The harmattan, a dry, north wind, blows from December to March lowering the humidity and creating hot days and cool nights in the north. In the south the effects of the harmattan are felt in January. In most areas the highest temperatures occur in March, the lowest in August. The average annual temperature is about 86F (30C).

Embassies in Ghana

Royal Netherlands Embassy in Accra
The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Accra.

Embassy of Switzerland - Ghana
The Ambassador of Switzerland in Ghana and his team have pleasure in welcoming you on the web site of their Embassy and wish you happy surfing!

Chinese Embassy in Ghana
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Ghana

United States of America Embassy
U.S diplomatic mission to Ghana

French Embassy
French Embassy in Ghana

Canadian High Commission
Embassy of the Canadian High Commission in Ghana

Russian Embassy
Russian Embassy in Ghana

Member pages

Prince Anin-Agyei

Tourism in Ghana

• Make the most of Accra; see a large collection of Ghanaian art in the National Museum and Independence Square, dominated by the Independence Arch and the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier.

• Admire some coffins. The carpentry workshops of the world famous Fantasy Coffins are at Nungua. Among the Ga people it is fashionable to be laid to rest in a coffin that bears a relationship to what the deceased did in life.

• Indulge in some history. All Ghana's castles and forts are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. In particular, do not miss Cape Coast Castle and Fort St Jago. Cultural shows are often performed at the castles and guided tours are available.

• Examine the ruins of the Manhyia Palace and the Royal Mausoleum, burnt down by Lord Baden-Powell, in Kumasi, the historic capital of the Ashanti civilisation.

• Visit the Larabanga Mosque, situated 8km (5 miles) north of Mole National Park. Built in the style of former Western Sudanese Empires, it houses a holy Koran and is believed by locals to be a ‘God-built mosque'.

• Pay a visit to the Witches' settlements, located at Ngani in the Yendi district, Gamaga in the east Mamprusi district and Kpatinga in the Fushegu district. These are sanctuaries for people, mostly women, accused of witchcraft.

• Bird enthusiasts should go to the Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary, located close to Kumasi. Further to the northeast is the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary, containing the spectacular Bomfobiri Falls. The salt marshes of the Songow Lagoon are also essential.

• Check out the wildlife in Ghana's national parks. The Kakum Nature Reserve is a protected conservation area with monkeys, antelopes and water buffalo. Visitors can view wildlife at tree canopy level from the 333m (1,093ft) tree-top walkway and stay in a tree house.

Food and Drink

International food is available in most large hotels and many restaurants serve a range of local traditional foods. In Accra there are also restaurants serving Middle Eastern, Chinese, French and other European cuisine.Things to know: On the coast, prawns and other seafood are popular and very tasty.National specialities:

• Kenkey (hot peppers and fried fish, eaten mostly in the Accra region).• Akyeke (cassava couscous served with avocado).

• Fufu (pounded cassava beans, yam, plantain or rice, usually accompanying traditional soups (palmnut, groundnut), kontomere and okro (stews).

• Fante fante (a palm oil stew with small fish, popular in the central regions).

• Akrantee (bushmeat).National drinks

• Pito (a beer brewed in the Northern region made from millet).

• Zom koom (toasted millet flour in water).

• Palm wine.

• Coconut juice.Legal drinking age: 18.Tipping: Tipping is permitted; it is not usually included in the bill.

Nightlife

In Accra and other major centres, there are nightclubs with Western popular music and Afro beat. Concerts can be seen at the National Theatre in Accra. The School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon often hosts drama, poetry and cultural dancing shows. Foreign and Ghanaian films can be seen at the Ghana Film Theatre and Executive Film House in Accra.

Shopping

Almost all commodities, including luxury items, can be found in the shops and markets. Artefacts from the Ashanti region and northern Ghana can be bought along with attractive handmade gold and silver jewellery. Modern and old African art is also available (although prices are high), in particular, Ashanti stools and brass weights formerly used to measure gold. Earthenware pots, leatherwork, locally woven shirts and Bolgatanga baskets woven from multi-coloured raffia are sold in all the northern markets. Ghana is home to the traditional Kente cloth.

Accra (Kotoka International Airport)

Address

Kotoka International Airport, Airport Road, Accra North, Ghana

Airport Code

ACC

Country Code

233

Telephone

(021) 776 171

Fax

(021) 773 293

E-mail

None

Website

www.gcaa.com.gh

Number of Terminals

1

Time Zone

GMT

Location

The airport is located 10km (6 miles) north of Accra city centre

Airport News

A comprehensive development is currently underway, which has seen the refurbishment of the terminal building and control tower, the provision of a proper lounge and a modern arrival/immigration/baggage hall. Further improvements are under way. Travellers may experience unexpected delays even after checking in. Passengers should get the required seat reconfirmation stamped on the ticket, ensure that they have emergency funds for food and lodging in the event of the unexpected delays, and arrive at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled departure times.

Driving Directions

From Accra city centre, head north following the signs for the airport.

Car Parking

Parking spaces are limited at the airport, although the current development programme will create more.

Car Hire

Several car hire companies are represented at the airport, with booths outside the arrivals hall. These include Avis (tel: (021) 761 751; website: http://www.avis.com/) and Europcar (tel: (021) 664020; website: http://www.europcar.com/) (chauffeur-driven cars only).

Public Transport

Road: Taxis (metered or shared) are the only form of transportation available. You can get a taxi from the airport to Nkrumah Circle or Osu for under US$3, but be prepared to haggle the fare.

Information and Help Desks

There is an information desk in the arrival hall.

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: A post office and bureau de change are available. Several ATMs are available in the terminal. Eating and drinking: Facilities include a bar, restaurant and a couple of food kiosk. Shopping: There are a few shops in the terminal, including duty-free shops.

Conference and Business Facilities

There are no business facilities as such yet. The Ghana Airways's Akwaaba lounge is available for the airline's first and business class passengers. The State Protocol Lounge is for use by senior government officials/diplomats and VIPs. Business and conference facilities are available at the Novotel Accra City Centre and at the Golden Tulip Accra (see Airport Hotels).

Facilities for Disabled Travellers

These are limited. Contact your airline for further information and assistance.