Welcome to the ASO Website!
The African Students Organization (ASO) is a non-profit organization at the Michigan Technologcal University (MTU). All MTU Students interested in the goals and visions of this organization are eligible for membership.
Our Mission at ASO is to let people know about african cultures, be ambassadors of Africa both on and off campus and to disseminate accurate information about african countries. We also strive to give members of our prestigious organization opportunities to know about each other's culture.
The Country Spotlight below is an informational piece on the different countries which exist in our organization. This is to educate us on each other's countries and will be updated monthly.
The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The word "Ghana" means "Warrior King", and was the source of the name "Guinea" (via French Guinoye) used to refer to the West African coast (as in Gulf of Guinea).
Ghana was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient kingdoms, including the Ga Adangbes on the eastern coast, inland Empire of Ashanti and various Fante states along the coast and inland. Trade with European states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established a crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874.
Ghana was the first black African nation in to achieve independence from a colonial power in 1957. Once independent from the United Kingdom, the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana that once extended throughout much of western Africa. In the Ashanti language it is spelled Gaana.
More than 100 languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana. English is the country's official language and predominates government and business affairs. It is also the standard language used for educational instruction.
Ghana is well endowed with natural resources Gold, timber, cocoa, diamond, bauxite, and manganese exports are major sources of foreign exchange.
-By Haki Kiema