Module 1 : Understanding cultural differences

1. Intercultural awareness : the key to success in international business

• Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
• The basics of effective intercultural management
• Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes

2. Key aspects of Ghanaian culture

• A relatively stable member state of the Commonwealth
• The impact of British colonization
• A multiethnic and tribal society
• A complex political situation

3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships

• The importance of patriarchal values
• Looking beyond the stereotypes: The role of Ghanaian women
• The huge importance attached to private life
• An intrinsically hierarchical society
• The contrasts between rural and urban life
• The importance of religion
• A haphazard view of time
• Irony and teasing
• A rather fatalistic mindset

4. The Ghanaian corporate world

• A paternalistic company structure
• A high degree of formality
• A tradition of professional comradeship and fraternity

Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Ghanaians

1. Effective communication with the Ghanaians

• The importance of interpersonal relationships and networking
• The extensive use of gestural and non-verbal communication
• The deceptive ease of explicit communication
• English, dialects, and the selection of an interpreter

2. Adapting your working methods

• Goodwill, an open mind and charisma
• Being firm but fair
• Supervising, explaining and understanding
• Encouraging personal and collective success
• Pitfalls to be avoided

3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Ghanaians

• Ensuring flexibility and coherence
• Creating a climate of trust
• Socializing outside working hours
• Attitudes to contracts and their implications

4. Final handy tips

• Caution, patience and humility
• Protocol and etiquette
• Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code
• Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
• Humour: a double-edged sword