Ghana

Country Information

Founded: 1482 (Ancient Ghana was located 500 miles north of current nation)
Independence (from British control): 1957
Land Area: 239,460 Square Kilometers (Slightly smaller than Oregon)
Climate: Tropical
Agricultural Land Usability: 18%
Natural Hazards: dry northeastern winds cause droughts annually
Environmental issues: soil erosion, water pollution, low supply of drinkable water

The People

Population: 22,409,572
Infant Mortality Rate: 55 deaths / 1000 live births
Life Expectancy: 59 years
Major Diseases: very high risk bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fever, schistosomiasis
Religions: 63% Christian, 16% Muslim, 21% various tribal religions
Literacy Rate: 75%
Unemployment rate: 20%
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: 32%

Special Conditions

40,853 Liberian refugees

Identifying the Need

The Muslim minority is a growing population and needs worship centers as well as good schools to strengthen and maintain a spiritual upbringing.

The high risk of infections diseases does not indicate the serious threat to infection, illness and death due to snake and insect venom. Children in the area where The Zakat Foundation operates often have no shoes at all, they become susceptible to injuries which are aggravated and infected by open sewage and poor living conditions. Many medical problems which are easily treatable in the United States become life threatening and crippling conditions in Ghana. Therefore, the need for a permanent clinic for medical care is a dire need.

The historic Larabanga Mosque suffers annual damage from the elements and $1000 annually is needed for its upkeep.

The central area for The Zakat Foundation’s activities is in the region surrounding the ancient Mosque at Larabanga near Akrafrom. This area is the oldest Muslim community in West Africa and holds one of the earliest copies of the Qur’an.

This region is almost exclusively Muslim and has a strong need for education and development.

Branch Office in Ghana

In order to facilitate our projects in Ghana, it became necessary to establish a branch office.

We are blessed to have Salia Alhassan as our Country Director there. He is able to oversee all our operations and ensure that everything is done properly.

Ramadan Programs

Each Ramadan we distribute hundreds of food packages and serve Iftars to the Muslim population of Ghana.

Udhiya/Qurbani

For as long as The Zakat Foundation has been providing Udhiya, we have been distributing to those in need around Ghana. These Udhiya / Qurbani /Akika meats provide for people who desperately need good meats and who are very appreciative of what they receive.

Orphan Sponsorship

Currently we are sponsoring 50 orphans in Ghana. This sponsorship, as in other countries, provides for the education and overall well-being of the orphans.

Check out our Orphan sponsorship page to find out how you can help.

Remember, only $30 a month can take care of all an orphan needs!

Because of the annual drought periods, much of Ghana suffers a food shortage. By purchasing goods from other areas of the country and distributing them in the drought-stricken lands, we help the overall economy as well as providing much needed food to those who could not reach or afford it otherwise.

$100 will provide a package of food to feed a family of six for a month.

Hospital Project / Medical Care

For a little over a year we maintained a clinic in Akrafrom. Unfortunately this clinic had to be closed.

We had renovated a clinic in order to alleviate the poor health condition of the area. During the time our clinic was open, we were able to help the local population of approximately 5,000 people.

Insh’Allah, with the help of our donors we can support the re-opening of a clinic in the area. Operating costs are nearly $1500 per month for doctors, medicines and equipment.

School and Education

In 2005 we decided that it was definitely time to renovate and upgrade the school so that our orphans and other children in the surrounding area would have a much better learning environment.

The school has been completed but more is needed, we need desks, proper teaching materials, and other assorted supplies.

In addition to the school, we ship backpacks each year from donors who participate in our Backpack Program to help all the children of the regions that we touch.

Sewing Center

By the grace of Allah (SWT) we were able to complete the establishment of our sewing center in Ghana and our first class of students graduated in June of 2006!

These women who take our sewing courses would have little option for jobs at all otherwise, this education is so important to help provide independence as well as improve the local economy. Our classes teach enough so that the girls can pass government tests and receive true certifications of sewing so that they may work for companies and be paid a proper wage or produce clothing on their own for sale in the local markets.

Upon graduation, we also provide the students with their own sewing machines and some fabric to get started!

Contribute to this wonderful source of development!
$50 will purchase much-needed fabric for the school and students
$100 will purchase a sewing machine
Sponsor one young woman’s entire education at the school for $2000