International flight - luggage checking with layovers?

I'm traveling from Utah-New York and New York-Accra (Ghana) this summer with the same kind of return trip. I have a 2 hour layover between both travels.

I want to check the luggage straight to my end destination without having to worry about it during my layover (I'll have a few things with my in a carry on bag). How does this work, factoring in that I have to go through customs?

Thanks! I'm a newbie traveler and don't know much about flying.