Ghana: Education and Occupation

     Over the summer, my roommate had the privilege to spend two months in Ghana for an internship working with a group called Global Mamas. Brenna, my roommate, is a fashion major at the University of Northern Iowa. Global Mamas is a fair trade company that gives business that gives other businesses business. For example, if you were a pattern maker, you would use a pattern from Global Mamas, providing you with business. To learn more, you can check out Global Mamas here www.globalmamas.org.
     School in Ghana is free, however, the family must provide their children with their own uniform. It is not uncommon for children to go to school, but it is not common either. Due to having to provide uniforms, some families are unable to send their children to school.
If you are able to go to school, you can start as young as the age of four. Schooling lasts twelve years and then students are presented a big test, almost like a final of what you've learned in your years of schooling.
     Although some go to college right away, most students wait and work before attending college. In the city that Brenna lived in, El Mina, there were two colleges available. The most common "majors" that students went for were business and accounting. If you wanted to become a pattern maker, seamstress or something along those lines, you worked under an apprentice and earned a certificate. These people were normally referred to as traders.
     Unlike Iowa, if you are a farmer in Ghana, you are considered low-income and looked down upon. Most people in Ghana are business owners, work at banks or business buildings, or traders. Bankers and business men are considered middle to upper class.
     Although most bankers and business workers are men, there are some women. However, men are considered superior to women and viewed as dominant. Although women work outside the home, they are still expected to come home and cook, clean and take care of the children. Women are typically involved with street stands that have clothing, food or jewelry.

I have included some pictures below of different types of street vendors.