Ghana
Ghana is a Sub-Saharan country in West-Africa, surrounded by Togo on the East side of the country, Burkina Faso on the North side and Cote d’Ivoire on the West side. The Atlantic Ocean forms the southern border of the country. Ghana consists of ten (10) administrative regions (picture 1), which are each divided into 218 metropolitan, district and municipal assemblies.
The country’s total population was 23.5 million in 2010 with a population growth rate of 2.2 % per year. In 2012 life expectancy was estimated at 61.45 for the total population, 60.22 for males and 62.73 for females. The main religions are Christianity (71.2 %), Islam (17.6 %) and traditional beliefs (5.2 %). English is the main language, but there are many traditional languages spoken throughout the country among which Akan, Fante and Ewe are most spoken. Ghana has the status of lower-middle-income country since 2010.
Ghana’s total surface is 238,540 km2; the land covers 230,020 km2 and 8,520 km2 of the country’s surface consists of water. Out of the total water surface 8,502 km2 is accounted for by Lake Volta (see picture below on the left), the world’s largest man-made reservoir by surface and the fourth largest by water volume. The lake is contained by the Akosombo dam in the south and stretches over 520 km up north close to a town called Yapei. The main islands on the lake are Dodi, Dwarf and Kporve and there are numerous smaller islands. The lake generates electricity, provides inland transportation and forms a resource for fish farming and irrigation.
Volta Region and Kpando
Kpando is located in the Volta Region, one of Ghana’s ten administrative regions. The region lies east of Lake Volta and the capital is Ho. The region spans all vegetation zones of the country, from the Atlantic coast in the south to the dry north. The region shares boundaries with Togo on the east side, which gives the land a hilly landscape. The native and largest ethnic group are the Ewe people, who speak the Ewe language, which has various dialects throughout the region. Income generating activities mainly focus on farming, fishing (around Lake Volta), hunting and trading.
There are 34 urban localities in the Volta Region, one of which is Kpando Municipal. Kpando is home to over 50,000 community members living in both urban and rural communities. Some of the most rural communities lie on and around Lake Volta. These communities have poor access roads, electricity, education and health care. The urban areas however have better infrastructure and facilities. There are several banks (two with ATM), a post office, internet cafes and many shops in which you can buy all your basic care supplies.
There are various tourist sites you can visit during your stay in Kpando. You can stay close to home (short taxi ride) and visit. Our lady of Lourdes Grotto, religious site which attracts many pilgrims each year. Other tourist sites nearby are a monkey sanctuary, the Fesi pottery, a local wood carver, or Lake Volta. You can walk or bike in the beautiful surroundings as well, or choose for a trip a little further away. At about one to two hour distance (car ride) you will find the Wli Waterfalls (biggest in West Africa), the Tagbo Falls, mount Afadzato (highest in Ghana; see picture above), mount Gemi and Amedzofe (roof of Ghana), the regional capital Ho or the Akosombo dam. If you have more time to travel you may decide to visit our biggest national park called Mole, or Cape Coast, Kakum National Park, or one of the other many tourist sites Ghana has to offer. The UNiTED staff has many connections in the country and is always ready to give you travel advice.
