Ghanaian Canadians are a Canadian ethnic group of full or partial Ghanaian ancestry. Ghanaians who became naturalized citizens of Canada preferably refer to themselves as Ghanaian Canadians.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Total population | |
---|---|
Various estimates: 35,495[1][2] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto,[3][4] Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Quebec City | |
Languages | |
French, English, Ghanaian languages (Akan, Dagbani, Ewe, Ga, etc.) | |
Religion | |
Mainly Christianity (70%), Islam (15%) | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Ghanaians, Ivorian Canadians, Togolese Canadians, Burkinabe Canadians |
Overview
Ghanaians first immigrated to Canada in the 1960s.[13][14] Many Ghanaians reside in the Toronto area, although quite a few can be found in other parts of Canada.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Although characterized by their religious involvement, Ghanaian Canadians seem to have reservations about integrating into broader Canadian community.[29][30][31][12][page needed][32][33]
Languages
Most Ghanaian Canadians speak English fluently as it is the official language of communication in Ghana. Most also speak local languages in addition to English, the most popular being Twi. Other spoken languages are Fante, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani, Nzema, Gonja, and Kasem. Ghanaians have an easier time adapting to life in Canada than other immigrants because their homeland of Ghana has the English language as the official language and it is spoken by the majority of Ghana's population.[citation needed]
Demographics
Province | Population | Percentage | Source |
---|---|---|---|
Ontario | 24,845 | 0.2% | [34] |
Alberta | 4,465 | 0.1% | [35] |
Quebec | 3,235 | 0.0% | [36] |
British Columbia | 1,600 | 0.0% | [37] |
Saskatchewan | 555 | 0.1% | [38] |
Manitoba | 385 | 0.0% | [39] |
Nova Scotia | 190 | 0.0% | [40] |
New Brunswick | 95 | 0.0% | [41] |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 65 | 0.0% | [42] |
Northwest Territories | 30 | 0.1% | [43] |
Prince Edward Island | 15 | 0.0% | [44] |
Yukon | 15 | 0.0% | [45] |
Nunavut | 10 | 0.0% | [46] |
Canada | 35,495 | 0.1% | [citation needed] |
Notable people
Athletes
- Ruky Abdulai, long jumper and heptathlete
- Jeff Addai, soccer player
- Natey Adjei, football player
- Richard Adu-Bobie, sprinter
- Martha Adusei, sprinter
- Kojo Aidoo, football player
- Ohenewa Akuffo, wrestler
- Kwabena Asare, football player
- Nana Attakora, soccer player
- Kwame Awuah, soccer player
- Kwaku Boateng, high jumper
- Alphonso Davies (born in Ghana to Liberian parents), soccer player
- Randy Edwini-Bonsu, soccer player
- Sam Effah, sprinter
- Kaya Forson, swimmer
- Richie Laryea, soccer player
- Eric Lee, football player
- Philomena Mensah, sprinter
- Christabel Nettey, long jumper
- William Njoku, basketball player
- Kofi Opare, soccer player
- Flings Owusu-Agyapong, sprinter
Beauty Queens
- Menaye Donkor, beauty queen, entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Adwoa Yamoah, beauty queen
Media, Film and Television
- Jackie Appiah, actress
- Jojo Chintoh, broadcast journalist
- Nana aba Duncan radio host and writer
- Florence Blain Mbaye, actress
- Hailliote Sumney, actress and television personality
Musicians
- Kwajo Cinqo, rapper, producer, and record executive
- Emay, rapper
- Friyie, rapper and singer
- Rich Kidd, rapper and producer
- Kae Sun, singer-songwriter
- Spek Won, rapper
Writers and Authors
- Randell Adjei, poet
- Esi Edugyan, novelist
- Dannabang Kuwabong, author, poet and professor