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The People
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Ghana's population is concentrated along the coast and in the principal
cities of Accra and Kumasi. Most Ghanaians descended from migrating
tribes that probably came down the Volta River valley at the beginning
of the 13th century. Ethnically, Ghana is divided into small groups
speaking more than 50 languages and dialects. Among the more important
linguistic groups are the Akans, which include the Fanti along the
coast and the Ashanti in the forest region north of the coast; the
Guans, on the plains of the Volta River; the Ga and Ewe speaking peoples
of the south and south-east; and the Moshi-Dagomba speaking tribes
of the Northern and Upper Regions. English, the official and commercial
language, is taught in all the schools.
Primary and junior secondary school education is tuition-free and
mandatory. The Government of Ghana support for basic education is
unequivocal. Article 39 of the Constitution mandates the major tenets
of the Free, Compulsory, Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) initiative.
Launched in 1996, it is one of the most ambitious pre-tertiary education
programs in West Africa. Since 1987, the Government of Ghana has increased
its education budget by 700%. Basic education's share has grown from
45% to 60% of that total.
Students begin their 6-year primary education at age six. Under educational
reforms implemented in 1987, they pass into a junior secondary school
system for 3 years of academic training combined with technical and
vocational training. Those continuing move into the 3-year senior
secondary school program. Entrance to one of the five Ghanaian universities
is by examination following completion of senior secondary school.
School enrolment totals almost 3 million.
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