TEMPLE IN WEST AFRICA: GHANA - Temple University

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festival sites, the National Cultural Center, residences of Ghanaian kings, the mysterious, irremovable sword of Okomfo Anokye, the legendary high priest of the Asantes, and the Obuasi gold mines. ABOUT GHANA The Republic of Ghana, roughly equivalent to Oregon in size, lies almost in the center of the countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea. To the east lies Togo, beyond which are Benin and Nigeria. On the west is Cote d'Ivoire, and to the north, Burkina Faso. Ghana's coastline on the south stretches for a distance of about 560 kilometers. Mountains are few, but there are several hills that rise to a maximum of 900 meters. These include the Akwapim-Togo ranges that extend from Pokoasi, a few kilometers north of Accra. Formerly a British colony, Ghana attained independence on March 6, 1957, and became a Republic within the British Commonwealth on July 1, 1960. Although English is the official and commercial language, several African languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana, including Twi, Fanti, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani, Hausa, Gonja and Nzima. Since the attainment of its independence, when the Gold Coast became Ghana, efforts have always been made to preserve the country's rich cultural history and traditional institutions, which can be traced to the ancient Ghana Empire. For this reason, the institutions of chieftaincy and the ceremonies attached to it are kept very much alive. Various ethnic groups hold traditional festivals periodically that include drumming, singing and dancing. The traditional crafts include Kente and Adinkra, cloth weaving, wood carving, brass and bronze carving, and pottery. In addition to a rich oral literary tradition which features tales, legends, proverbs and songs, Ghana has a corps of talented novelists, poets and dramatists such as Kofi Awoonor (formerly Ghana's Ambassador to the United Nations), Ayi Kwei Armah, Attuquaye Okai, Kofi Aniyidoho, Ama Ata Aidoo, Efua Sutherland, and Mohamed Ben Abdallah who are making significant contributions to world literature. ACCRA Accra is Ghana's capital and largest city. Originally a small fishing village, Accra became the capital of the Gold Coast in 1877. Probably because of its 300-year contact with the European world, the city was the first to develop foreign business offices, hospitals, and schools. Luxury items arrived at Accra's docksides before being transported on to other colonial towns. Modern Accra, with a population of about one million, is the key city for all of the nation's governmental and business activities. Major roads, airlines, railways, buses and ocean liners serve the capital, connecting it to most other large cities in Ghana, such as Cape Coast, Takoradi, Kumasi, Keta, Wenchi and Tamale. Merging with several other coastal towns, Accra has developed into the Accra-Tema metropolis, forming the country's chief commercial, industrial, and transportation center. The population of this fast-growing region reached 1.5 million in 1984. The indigenes of this area and their language are called Ga. Dr. Abarry, the program director, is a native of Accra. ACCOMMODATION AND STUDENT LIFE Housing and meals are arranged in comfortable University facilities at Legon, and in comparable places for trips outside of Accra. Although the University of Ghana is not normally in session during the summer, the University often hosts a number of special summer programs for both local and international participants, and many campus recreational facilities are available to summer program students. PREDEPARTURE INFORMATION AND ORIENTATION Pre-departure mailings are sent to all participants in the weeks prior to departure covering such logistical issues as transportation, visas, required immunizations, medical care and insurance, as well as suggestions for preparing participants academically and culturally for the program. Participation in a study abroad program in the developing world requires ample opportunity for discussion of expectations and concerns. To facilitate such discussion and to ease adjustment, Temple University will hold a full-day orientation program at Temple University's main campus on July 8, the day before departure. All participants are expected to attend. Participants from outside of the Philadelphia area are responsible for the costs of accommodation and travel to Philadelphia. All participants will then travel as a group from Philadelphia to Accra with the program director. An on-site orientation program will also be held upon arrival in Accra.
PROGRAM FEES AND COSTS Undergraduate (6 sh) Graduate (6 sh) PA Resident Non-resident PA Resident Non-resident Tuition $1,752 $2,916 $2,412 $3,492 Program Fee $ 100 Housing, Meals $ 900* Local Travel $ 300* In addition, students will need to budget money for personal expenses, required immunizations (approximately $400), and health insurance. Temple University arranges a round-trip group flight from New York to Accra; the cost is estimated at about $1500. *These are estimated costs. A limited number of $500 scholarships are available and will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Students must be matriculated Temple students in order to be eligible to apply. Application materials are automatically sent to Temple students who are accepted for the Ghana program. APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY The application deadline is March 1. Early application is encouraged; applications are considered on a rolling admissions basis. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis, and must be accompanied by the non-refundable $100 program deposit, which will be refunded only if the applicant is not accepted into the program. In addition to completing the application form, students are required to submit: An academic reference from a faculty member. Official transcripts. All students, including Temple University students, must submit official transcripts for all university/college-level work completed to date. A one-two page typed statement describing your expectations and interests regarding the Ghana program, and specifying what you ultimately hope to gain from your study abroad experience. Non-Temple students must also submit the home college approval form and a non-refundable application fee of $30. When possible, candidates are interviewed; telephone interviews are conducted for those who cannot be interviewed personally. Participants must have: A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and may not be on academic nor disciplinary probation. Although not essential, experience of West African-related subject matter is desirable. Students will be selected mainly on the basis of their intellectual purpose and emotional maturity; successful candidates will be notified by March 15. Early application is encouraged; applications are considered on a rolling-admissions basis. A non-refundable $100 deposit is required for all admitted students in order to reserve their place, but the amount is credited toward the cost of the program. Students with questions about financial aid should contact the financial aid office at their home institutions. For further information, contact International Programs at 215-204-0720, study.abroad@temple.edu or Dr. Abu Abarry, Department of African-American Studies, Temple University, 215-204-8496.
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TEMPLE IN WEST AFRICA: GHANA - Temple University

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