Itinerary

Examples of Craft Items

Picture Gallery


Map of Ghana

Mary's Homepage

Ghanaian crafts in provision!

Immediately Following the IFHE Congress in Accra

July 29-August 4, 2000

Sponsored by

Michigan State University

Iowa State University

This seven-day post-Congress tour highlighted the daily life and artistic traditions of the people of Ghana. The two themes of craft traditions and family life were the focus of observations and discussions. The group:

Observed efforts to preserve and expand the crafts industries to provide jobs and opportunities for both men and women.

Talked with staff at Aid to Artisans Ghana, an NGO  assisting the artisan community to improve the quality of crafts for expanded international markets.

Visited workshops and family homes where the famous Kente cloth, batiks, beads, lost-wax brass and woodcarving items are made.

Learned about the unique culture of Ghana and both its traditions and modern practices.

Enjoyed major tourist attractions: the Aburi Botanical Gardens, the world’s largest dam on the Volta, ancient slave ports, and the busy Ashanti cultural center and central market of Kumasi.

This tour was organized by Dr. Mary Andrews at Michigan State University and led by two human ecologists from the USA who have both had extensive experience of living and working in Ghana.

Dr. Harriette McAdoo, is a Professor of Family and Child Ecology at Michigan State University and researcher of family values and intergenerational relationships. Dr. McAdoo has worked in both west and south africa for many years most recently studying traditional values and the effects of HIV-Aids.

Dr. Mary Littrell, is a Professor of Textiles and Clothing at Iowa State University and researcher of west african textiles and crafts. Dr. Littrell did her dissertation on research in Ghana and has been returning as a scholar and colleague ever since.

A number of local specialists (Lydia Ajono of Radio Ghana) and agency staffs assisted them. These local specialists from Aid to Artisans Ghana  (Bridget Kyerematen-Darko, C.K. Darko, J.K. Sawyerr and Daniel Quaynor) and Peace Corps Ghana (Barbara Hunt) knew the people, artisans, organizations and issues facing Ghana, and thus provided a wealth of insights about Ghana and it’s people and customs.

Smart Travel Club International assisted with local arrangements. The group stayed at the Miklin Hotel in Accra, Chances Hotel in Ho, and the newly built Flossid Hotel in Kumasi, along with the Sanbra Hotel in downtown Kumasi.

Both continental and Ghanaian cuisine was available throughout the tour. Breakfasts were included with the rooms. All of the lunches were preplanned to assist in keeping with tight schedules. Chicken and rice seemed to appear on the menu daily--but the group enjoyed the variety of flavors and side dishes that accompanied this familiar fare. Fufu (cassava and plantain) and fried plantain were often served along with fried fish and a spinach dish which proved to be a favorite of most everyone! All meals were served with cold soda or beer.... Star beer being the unanimous beer of choice.

A 50 seat airconditioned bus was available to the group throughout. Believe it or not, no breakdowns or unfortunate accidents occurred in spite of heavy traffic and long trips. The group was especially fond of the driver, Eric Amankwash and his sidekicks, Augustine and Steven. JoJo served as the guide throughout with helper, Joseph at his side. All of these wonderfully helpful people were under contract with Okyeame Tours of Accra.

The group became very familiar with the Ghanaian cedi as they counted it out in units of 2000 and 5000 bills! The exchange rate varied throughout the week from a low of 5000 per US dollar to 6100.

 For more information about the tour, contact Mary Andrews, 101 C Morrill Hall, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824-1030 USA (517-432-3322) or E-mail to mandrews@msu.edu