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Basic 3 · History · Inter-Group Relations

Exchanges Unite Ghana

In this topic you will learn how exchanges among ethnic groups helped make Ghana one nation.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Explain how exchanges brought groups together
  • Name things Ghanaians share today
  • Show respect for all ethnic groups

What you already know

  • Money and exchange long ago

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
My country Ghana
Sub-strand
Inter-Group Relations
Indicator
B3.2.2.1.2 – Name some of the items exchanged among the various groups

Introduction

Today a girl in Accra may wear a northern smock, eat Ewe akple and dance Adowa. Long years of exchange have made Ghanaians one people.

1. How Exchanges United Groups

  • Trade made groups depend on each other.
  • Marriage joined families from different groups.
  • Sharing culture made people understand each other.

2. What We Share Today

Shared things
Shared thingExample
foodsjollof, banku, fufu, waakye eaten everywhere
clotheskente and smocks worn by many groups
music and dancehighlife and hiplife enjoyed by all
national symbolsflag, anthem, pledge
Children wearing kente and smocks sharing food and dancing together
Figure 1: One Ghana Draw things all Ghanaians share.Illustration: Sirbus

Remember: We are many ethnic groups but one Ghana.

New words

unite
To join together as one.
depend
To need someone or something.
share
To have or use together.
nation
A country and its people.

Summary

  • Exchanges made ethnic groups depend on and understand each other.
  • Ghanaians share foods, clothes, music and national symbols.
  • We respect all ethnic groups as one nation.

Class activity: Unity Display

  1. Make a class display of foods, crafts and dances from different groups.
  2. Label each item with its origin.
  3. Sing the national anthem together.

You need: Ghana map, Tray of local barter-item samples, Pictures, Cowrie shells, Source-area cards

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. To join together as one is to…

    • A. Unite
    • B. Divide
    • C. Fight
    • D. Leave
    Show answer
    Answer: UniteThat is unity.

  2. 2. Which food is eaten in many parts of Ghana today?

    • A. Jollof
    • B. Snow cones
    • C. Sushi
    • D. Pizza only
    Show answer
    Answer: JollofJollof is eaten across Ghana.

  3. 3. Marriage joined families from different groups.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIntermarriage built ties.

  4. 4. Only one ethnic group wears kente today.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseMany groups wear kente.

  5. 5. To need someone is to ______ on them.

    Show answer
    Answer: dependThat is depending.

  6. 6. Give two ways exchanges helped unite Ghanaians.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any two: trade, marriage, shared culture, understanding.Exchanges built unity.

Homework

  1. Write three things you share with Ghanaians from other ethnic groups.