Ghana is a country located in West Africa along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Known as the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence post-colonialism, Ghana has a rich culture and history. Let’s explore some riddles about this unique country!
Geography
Riddle 1
I cross the land yet never move. What am I?
Answer: The Greenwich Meridian, which passes through Ghana and is considered longitude zero degrees.
Riddle 2
We meander and curve through Ghana in different directions. We provide water for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. What are we?
Answer: Rivers such as the Volta, Ankobra, and Tano.
Riddle 3
I am the highest point in Ghana. Located in the Akwapim-Togo Ranges, I stand 885 meters tall. What am I?
Answer: Mount Afadjato, the highest mountain in Ghana.
History & Culture
Riddle 4
I am an ancestor-based African religion and the first to be practiced in Ghana. Followers believe I watch over them. What am I?
Answer: Akan religion
Riddle 5
I am a dense tropical forest covering much of southern Ghana. I am home to over 1,000 species of birds and mammals. What am I?
Answer: The Kakum National Park
Riddle 6
I am a mid-18th century Ashanti King who unified Ghana into a strong, wealthy empire during my rule. What is my name?
Answer: Osei Tutu
Riddle 7
I am considered the fasting capital of Ghana. Many people come to my city to participate in fasting and prayers. What city am I?
Answer: The city of Nkwatia, known for its popular Nkwatia Presbyterian Prayer camp where Christians fast and pray.
Riddle 8
I am a giant calabash adorned with polarized discs once worn by kings. I represent the collective soul of the Ashanti state. What am I called?
Answer: The Golden Stool, the royal and divine throne of the Ashanti people.
Riddle 9
I am a four-day Akan festival celebrated by many ethnic groups in Ghana to remember their ancestors. What festival am I?
Answer: Adae Festival
Riddle 10
I am a popular cotton and synthetic cloth worn in Ghana. I come in different colors and patterns with names like Makola kaba and Tristate kth. What type of clothing am I?
Answer: Kente cloth
People & Language
Riddle 11
I led a nonviolent movement for Ghana’s independence and became the first president of Ghana. Who am I?
Answer: Kwame Nkrumah
Riddle 12
We make up about 16% of Ghana’s population. Many of us trace our ancestry back to northern regions and kingdoms like Western Sudan. Who are we?
Answer: Ghanaians of Mande/Malinke/Mandinka/Mandingo descent
Riddle 13
I am the largest ethnic group in Ghana making up close to half the population. We have our own language but also speak English and many others. What group are we?
Answer: The Akan people of Ghana
Riddle 14
I am the official language used in government and business in Ghana, though not everyone speaks me at home. What common language am I?
Answer: English
Riddle 15
We make up over 50 languages spoken in Ghana, though English remains the official language. Collectively what type of languages are we?
Answer: Ghanaian languages
Food & Drink
Riddle 16
I am a popular Ghanaian dish made from steamed fermented corn dough. Fillings like fish, meat, veggies or hard-boiled eggs are added. What am I?
Answer: Kenkey
Riddle 17
We are a staple carbohydrate in Ghana, often made into the popular dish fufu. Yams, cassava, rice and plantains can all be used to make us. What are we?
Answer: Starches used to create the staple fufu in Ghanaian cuisine.
Riddle 18
I am a hot chili pepper sauce common in West African cuisine. In Ghana, I am made from tomatoes and chili peppers. What red condiment am I?
Answer: Shito
Riddle 19
I am a refreshing Ghanaian juice made from the calyx of the Hibiscus flower. My color ranges from dark red to brown with a tart, cranberry-like flavor. What tasty beverage am I?
Answer: Bissap, also called sobolo
Riddle 20
We are two alcoholic beverages commonly brewed and consumed in Ghana. One of us is made from fermented corn, the other from palm tree sap. What are we?
Answer: Pito (fermented corn beer) and palm wine
Animals
Riddle 21
I am Ghana’s largest national park, home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards and 600 species of birds. What park am I?
Answer: Mole National Park
Riddle 22
I am one of the world’s fastest land animals. You can find me racing across the grasslands of Mole National Park. What swift creature am I?
Answer: A cheetah
Riddle 23
We soar through the skies in Kakum National Park. With our colorful wings and slender curved bills, over 500 species of us flutter about the rainforest. What type of bird are we?
Answer: Butterflies
Riddle 24
I am one of the longest snakes in Africa, making my home in Ghana’s tropical forests. I can grow over 20 feet long and am covered in triangle-shaped blotches. What venomous viper am I?
Answer: The West African gaboon viper
Economy
Riddle 25
I am Ghana’s unit of currency. Six thousand of me equals one U.S. dollar. What common unit of money am I?
Answer: The cedi
Riddle 26
I am Ghana’s largest lake and source of electricity. I was created by the construction of the Akosombo hydroelectric dam. What important lake am I?
Answer: Lake Volta
Riddle 27
Mining and timber make up a large part of Ghana’s economy. One precious mineral I provide is used to make jewelry and conduct electricity. What golden element am I?
Answer: Gold
Riddle 28
I am Ghana’s chief agricultural export grown mainly in the Ashanti region. What sweet chocolate ingredient am I?
Answer: Cocoa beans
Cities & Places
Riddle 29
I am Ghana’s capital and largest city with over 2 million residents. What bustling metropolis am I?
Answer: Accra
Riddle 30
I am an Atlantic coastal city known as Ghana’s oil hub. Offshore oil was discovered here in 2007. What growing port town am I?
Answer: Takoradi
Riddle 31
Located near Cape Coast, I am a UNESCO World Heritage site and the location where slaves were shipped across the Atlantic. What infamous castle am I?
Answer: Elmina Castle on the Gold Coast
Riddle 32
We are the second-largest ethnic group in Ghana, known for our unique Eʋe language and culture. Many of us inhabit the Volta region in the southeast. Who are we?
Answer: The Ewe people
Arts & Entertainment
Riddle 33
I am a popular woodwind instrument made from an antelope horn or wood with holes played like a flute. Often used in Akan folk music, what unique instrument am I?
Answer: An atenteben bamboo flute.
Riddle 34
We are colorful hand-woven strips of cloth worn by dancers during festivals and special occasions. We come in various colors like black, blue, green and yellow. What flowing attire are we?
Answer: Kente cloths or strips worn by dancers.
Riddle 35
I am a popular West African board game involving seeds or stones moved around holes in the earth. Two opponents face off in this ancient game of strategy. What game am I?
Answer: Oware
Riddle 36
I am a popular rhythmic dance that originated from Ghana involving fast hip movements and footwork coordinated with hand gestures. What funky dance am I?
Answer: Azonto dancing.
Education
Riddle 37
I am Ghana’s oldest and largest university located in Legon outside Accra. Established in 1948, what prestigious university am I?
Answer: The University of Ghana
Riddle 38
Located in Kumasi, I am the second largest university in Ghana with over 30,000 students. I first opened in 1952, what science and technology institute am I?
Answer: The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Riddle 39
I refer to a tradition of mutual aid practiced in parts of West Africa. In Ghana, I involve helping others in farming, home building, and caring for children. What communal practice am I?
Answer: Nnoboa – a cooperative community labor system in Ghana.
Riddle 40
I am a popular Ghanaian philosopher who pioneered modern African philosophical thought. My writings emphasized the role of African cultures within global culture. Who am I?
Answer: Kwame Gyekye, an influential Akan philosopher.
Famous Ghanaians
Riddle 41
I am a Ghanaian American computer scientist who pioneered techniques in software testing. I currently am CEO of software company Anitian. Who am I?
Answer: Behrooz Parhami
Riddle 42
I am a Ghanaian American public health scientist and oncologist. I was the 11th president of the University of Pennsylvania. Who am I?
Answer: Dr. Amy Gutmann
Riddle 43
I am a law professor and international diplomat who became the first Ghanaian woman appointed as a UN Under-Secretary General. Who am I?
Answer: Dr. Kofi Annan, the first black African Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 44 riddles about the amazing country of Ghana. From its rich cultural traditions, diverse wildlife, growing cities and famous thinkers – there is still so much to discover about this West African nation. Ghana has contributed much knowledge and resources to the world, while maintaining its vibrant societies rooted in faith, art and community.
The next time you meet someone from Ghana, be sure to ask them a riddle or two about where they come from! There may be many more mysteries about Ghana left to uncover in its landscapes, histories and peoples.
