Ghana

Ghana,officially theRepublic of Ghana, is a country inWest Africa. It lies adjacent to theGulf of Guineaand theAtlantic Oceanto the south, sharing aborderwithIvory Coastin the west,Burkina Fasoin the north, andTogoin the east. Ghana covers an area of 239,567 km(92,497 sq mi), spanning diverseecologies, fromcoastalsavannastotropical rainforests. With nearly 35 million inhabitants, Ghana is thesecond-most populous countryinWest Africa. Thecapitalandlargest cityisAccra; other significantcitiesincludeTema,Kumasi,Tamale, andSekondi-Takoradi. In 1957 Ghana became the first colony inSub-Saharan Africato achievesovereignty, under the leadership ofKwame Nkrumah.
The earliest kingdoms to emerge in Ghana wereBonomanin the south and theKingdom of Dagbonin the north, with Bonoman existing in the area during the 11th century.TheAshanti Empireand other Akan kingdoms in the south emerged over the centuries.Beginning in the 15th century, thePortuguese Empire, followed by otherEuropean powers, contested the area for trading rights, until theBritishultimately established control of the coast by the 19thcentury. Following more than a century of colonial resistance, the current borders of the country took shape, encompassing four separate British colonial territories:Gold Coast,Ashanti, theNorthern Territories, andBritish Togoland. These were unified as an independent dominion within theCommonwealth of Nations. On 6 March 1957 Ghana became the first colony inSub-Saharan Africato achieve sovereignty - that is, gain independence.Under PresidentKwame Nkrumah, it became influential indecolonisation effortsand thePan-African movement.
Ghana is amulti-ethniccountry with diverse linguistic and religious groups;while theAkanare the largest ethnic group, they constitute a plurality. MostGhanaiansareChristians(71.3%); almost a fifth areMuslims; a tenth practice traditional faiths or report no religion.Ghana is aunitaryconstitutional democracyled by apresidentwho ishead of stateandhead of government.For  political stability in Africa, Ghana ranked seventh in the 2012Ibrahim Index of African Governanceand fifth in the 2012Fragile States Index. It has maintained since 1993 one of the freest and most stable governments on the continent, and it performs relatively well inhealthcare,economicgrowth, and human development,so that it has a significant influence in West Africa and Africa as a whole.Ghana is highly integrated in international affairs, being a founding member of theNon-Aligned Movementand theAfrican Union, and a member of theEconomic Community of West African States, theGroup of 24and theCommonwealth of Nations.
The nameGhanacomes fromWagadu, a vast empire in west Africa from the 3rd to 12th centuries; Wagadu was termedGhanaby Arab traders involved in thetrans-Saharan trade.Ghanais thought to originate from the titleKaya Maghanof the rulers of Wagadu, which translates asruler of gold. As theGold Coast colonyprepared for independence, the nation's leader and first prime minister later first presidentKwame Nkrumahthe one who led Ghana to independence, settled onGhana, aiming to evoke a sense of unity and liberation among theGhanaian people. The name was a powerful reminder of their shared heritage and the legacy of the ancient empire that once thrived in the wider region. It encapsulated the aspirations of the Ghanaian people for self-governance, progress, and a future marked by dignity and resilience.
The earliest kingdoms to emerge in Ghana wereBonomanin the south and theKingdom of Dagbonin the north, with Bonoman existing in the area during the 11th century.From the 17th century, different Akan states begun to emerge from what is believed to have been the Bonoman area, mainly based on gold trading.These states included Bonoman (Brong-Ahafo region), Ashanti (Ashanti Region),Denkyira(Western North region),Mankessim Kingdom(Central region), andAkwamu(Eastern region).By the 19th century, the territory of the southern part of Ghana was included in theKingdom of Ashanti.The government of the Ashanti Empire operated first as a loose network and eventually as a centralised kingdom with a specialised bureaucracy centred in the capital city ofKumasi.Prior to Akan contact with Europeans, the Akan people created an economy based on principally gold andgold barprecious metals, which were traded with other states in Africa.
The Ga-Dangme and Ewe migrated westward from south-western Nigeria. The Ewe – formerly known as Dogbo- migrated from Oyo area with their Gbe-speaking kinsmen (Adja, Fon, Phla/Phera and Ogun/Gun) and in transition, settled at Ketou in Benin Republic, Tado in Togo, Dogbo Nyigbo in Benin Republic and with Nortsie (a walled town in present-day Togo) as their final dispersal point. Their dispersal from Nortsie was necessitated by the high-handed rule of King Agorkorli (Agɔ Akɔli) who was the reigning monarch of the tribe at that time. The Ewe in Ghana speak three principal dialects: Anlo(along the coast),Tongu(along the Volta river) and Ewedome (in the hill country side).TheGa-Dangmeoccupy the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Eastern Region, while the Ewe are found in theVolta Regionas well as the neighbouring Togo, Benin Republic and Nigeria (around Badagry area).
Akan trade with European states began after contact with thePortuguesein the 15th century.European contact was by thePortuguese people, who came to theGold Coast regionin the 15th century to trade. The Portuguese then established thePortuguese Gold Coast(Costa do Ouro), focused on the availability of gold.The Portuguese built a trading lodge at a coastal settlement called Anomansah (the perpetual drink), which they renamedSão Jorge da Mina.In 1481, KingJohn II of PortugalcommissionedDiogo de Azambujato build theElmina Castle, which was completed in three years.By 1598, theDutchhad joined the Portuguese in the gold trade, establishing theDutch Gold Coast(Nederlandse Bezittingen ter Kuste van Guinea– 'Dutch properties at the Guinea coast') and building forts atFort Komendaand Kormantsi.In 1617, the Dutch captured the Elmina Castle from the Portuguese andAximin 1642 (Fort St Anthony).
European traders had joined in gold trading by the 17th century, including theSwedes, establishing theSwedish Gold Coast(Svenska Guldkusten), andDenmark–Norway, establishing theDanish Gold Coast(Danske GuldkystorDansk Guinea).European traders participated in theAtlantic slave tradein this area.More than 30 forts and castles were built by the merchants. The Germans established theBrandenburger Gold Coastor Groß Friedrichsburg.In 1874, Great Britain established control over some parts of the country, assigning these areas the status of theBritish Gold Coast.Military engagements occurred between British colonial powers and Akan nation-states. The Kingdom ofAshantidefeated the British some times in the 100-year-longAnglo-Ashanti warsand eventually lost with theWar of the Golden Stoolin 1900.
In 1947, the newly formedUnited Gold Coast Conventionled by"The Big Six"called for "self-government within the shortest possible time" following the1946 Gold Coast legislative election.Kwame Nkrumah, a Ghanaian nationalist who led Ghana from 1957 to 1966 as the country's firstprime ministerandpresident, formed theConvention People's Partyin 1949 with the motto "self-government now".The party initiated a "positive action" campaign involving non-violent protests, strikes and non-cooperation with the British authorities. Nkrumah was arrested and sentenced to one year imprisonment during this time. In the Gold Coast's1951 general election, he was elected to Parliament and was released from prison.He became prime minister in 1952 and began a policy of Africanization.
At midnight of March 6, 1957, the Gold Coast, Ashanti, the Northern Territories, andBritish Togolandwere unified as one single independent dominion within theBritish Commonwealthunder the name Ghana. This was done under theGhana Independence Act 1957. The currentflag of Ghana, consisting of the colours red, gold, green, and a black star, dates back to this unification.On 1 July 1960, following theGhanaian constitutional referendumandGhanaian presidential election, Nkrumah declared Ghana a republic and assumed the presidency.6 March is the nation'sIndependence Day, and 1 July is celebrated asRepublic Day.
Nkrumah led anauthoritarianregime in Ghana, as he repressed political opposition and conducted elections that were not free and fair.In 1964, aconstitutional amendmentmade Ghana aone-party state, with Nkrumah aspresident for lifeof both the nation and its party.Nkrumah was the first African head of state to promote the concept ofPan-Africanism, which he had been introduced to during his studies atLincoln University, Pennsylvania in the United States, at the time whenMarcus Garveywas known for his "Back to Africa Movement".He merged the teachings of Garvey,Martin Luther King Jr.and the naturalised Ghanaian scholarW. E. B. Du Boisinto the formation of 1960s Ghana.Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as he became known, played an instrumental part in the founding of theNon-Aligned Movement, and in establishing theKwame Nkrumah Ideological Instituteto teach his ideologies ofcommunismandsocialism.His life achievements were recognised by Ghanaians during his centenary birthday celebration, and the day was instituted as apublic holiday in Ghana(Founders' Day).
The government of Nkrumah was subsequently overthrown in a coup by theGhana Armed Forces, codenamed "Operation Cold Chop". This occurred while Nkrumah was abroad withZhou Enlaiin the People's Republic of China, on a mission toHanoi, Vietnam, to help end theVietnam War. The coup took place on 24 February 1966, led by ColonelEmmanuel Kwasi Kotokaand Brigadier Akwasi Afrifa. TheNational Liberation Councilwas formed, chaired by Lieutenant GeneralJoseph A. Ankrah.
A series of alternating military and civilian governments, often affected by economic instabilities,ruled Ghana from 1966, ending with the ascent to power ofFlight LieutenantJerry John Rawlingsof theProvisional National Defence Councilin 1981.These changes resulted in the suspension of theconstitutionin 1981 and the banning ofpolitical parties.The economy soon declined, so Rawlings negotiated a structural adjustment plan, changing many old economic policies, and growth recovered during the mid-1980s.A new constitution restoringmulti-party systempolitics was promulgated in thepresidential election of 1992, in which Rawlings was elected, and again in thegeneral election of 1996.
In atribal warinNorthern Ghanain 1994, between theKonkombaand other ethnic groups, including theNanumba,DagombaandGonja, between 1,000 and 2,000 people were killed and 150,000 people were displaced.
After the2000 general election,John Kufuorof theNew Patriotic Partybecame president of Ghana on 7 January 2001 and wasre-elected in 2004, thus also serving two terms (the term limit) as president of Ghana and marking the first time under the fourth republic that power was transferred from one legitimately elected head of state and head of government to another.
Nana Akufo-Addo, the ruling party candidate, was defeated in a very close2008 general electionbyJohn Atta Millsof theNational Democratic Congress.Mills died of natural causes and was succeeded by Vice PresidentJohn Mahamaon 24 July 2012.Following the2012 general election, Mahama became president in his own right,and Ghana was described as a "stable democracy".As a result of the2016 general election,Nana Akufo-Addobecame president on 7 January 2017.He was re-elected after a tightly contestedelection in 2020.
To combat deforestation, on 11 June 2021 Ghana inaugurated Green Ghana Day, with the aim of planting five million trees in a concentrated effort to preserve the country's rainforest cover.
Ghana is located on theGulf of Guinea, a few degrees north of theEquator.It spans an area of 238,540 km(92,101 sq mi)and has an Atlantic coastline that stretches 560 kilometres (350 miles) on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to its south.Dodi IslandandBobowasi Islandare near the south coast.It lies between latitudes 4°45'N and 11°N, and longitudes 1°15'E and 3°15'W. Theprime meridianpasses through Ghana, specifically throughTema.Ghana is geographically closer to the intersection of the Prime Meridian and the Equator than any other country, since this point, (0°, 0°), is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 614km (382mi) off the south-east coast of Ghana.
Grasslands mixed with south coastal shrublands and forests dominate Ghana, with forest extending northward from the coast 320 kilometres (200 miles) and eastward for a maximum of about 270 kilometres (170 miles) with locations for mining of industrial minerals and timber.Ghana is home to five terrestrial ecoregions:Eastern Guinean forests,Guinean forest–savanna mosaic,West Sudanian savanna,Central African mangroves, andGuinean mangroves.
TheWhite VoltaRiver and its tributaryBlack Volta, flow south through Ghana toLake Volta, the world'sthird-largest reservoir by volumeand largest by surface area, formed by the hydroelectricAkosombo Dam,completed in 1965.The Volta flows out of Lake Volta into theGulf of Guinea.The northernmost part of Ghana is Pulmakong and the southernmost part of Ghana isCape Three Points.
Theclimate of Ghanaistropical, and there iswet seasonanddry season.Ghana sits at the intersection of three hydro-climatic zones.Changes in rainfall, weather conditions and sea-level rise affect the salinity of coastal waters. This is expected to negatively affect both farming and fisheries.
In 2015, the government produced a document titled "Ghana's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution".Following that, Ghana signed theParis Climate Agreementin 2016.
Ghana is aunitarypresidentialconstitutional democracywith a parliamentarymulti-party systemthat is dominated by two parties—theNational Democratic Congress (NDC)and theNew Patriotic Party (NPP). Ghana alternated between civilian and military governments until January 1993, when the military government gave way to the Fourth Republic of Ghana afterpresidentialandparliamentary electionsin late 1992. The 1992constitution of Ghanadivides powers among acommander-in-chiefof theGhana Armed Forces(President of Ghana), parliament (Parliament of Ghana), cabinet (Cabinet of Ghana), council of state (Ghanaian Council of State), and an independent judiciary (Judiciary of Ghana). The government is elected byuniversal suffrageafter every four years.
Nana Akufo-Addowon the presidency in thegeneral election in 2016, defeating incumbentJohn Mahama. He also won the2020 electionafter the presidential election results were challenged at the Supreme Court by flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama. Presidents are limited to two four-year terms in office.
The 2012Fragile States Indexindicated that Ghana is ranked the 67th-least fragile state in the world and the fifth-least fragile state in Africa. Ghana ranked 112th out of 177 countries on the index.Ghana ranked as the 64th-least corrupt and politically corrupt country in the world out of all 174 countries ranked and ranked as the fifth-least corrupt and politically corrupt country in Africa out of 53 countries in the 2012Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.Ghana was ranked seventh in Africa out of 53 countries in the 2012Ibrahim Index of African Governance. The Ibrahim Index is a comprehensive measure of African government, based on variables which reflect the success with which governments deliver essential political goods to its citizens.According to 2023V-Dem Democracy indicesGhana is ranked 67th electoral democracy worldwide and 10thelectoral democracy in Africa.
Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to ideals of nonalignment and is a founding member of theNon-Aligned Movement. Ghana favours international and regional political and economic co-operation, and is an active member of theUnited Nationsand theAfrican Union.
Ghana has a strong relationship with the United States. Three recent U.S. presidents—Bill Clinton,George W. Bush, andBarack Obama—and a Vice President—Kamala Harris—have made diplomatic trips to Ghana.Many Ghanaian diplomats and politicians hold positions in international organisations, including Ghanaian diplomat and formerSecretary-General of the United NationsKofi Annan,International Criminal CourtJudgeAkua Kuenyehia, as well as former PresidentJerry John Rawlingsand former PresidentJohn Agyekum Kufuor, who both served as diplomats of the United Nations.The most notable among diplomats from Ghana is the LateKofi Annan, who served as the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations.
In September 2010, PresidentJohn Atta Millsvisited China on an official visit. Mills and China's former PresidentHu Jintaomarked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, at theGreat Hall of the People.China reciprocated with an official visit in November 2011, by the vice-chairman of theStanding Committee of the National People's Congress of China,Zhou Tienongwho visited Ghana and met with Ghana's PresidentJohn Mahama.China recently became one of the top investing countries of Ghana, which predominantly focus on infrastructure, natural resources, and manufacturing sectors, have promoted economic growth, job creation, and technology transfer in Ghana. However, concerns regarding the sustainability of Chinese-financed projects, environmental impacts, and the lack of transparency in their investments call for a careful assessment of these collaborations.Iranian PresidentMahmoud Ahmadinejadmet with Mahama in 2013 to hold discussions on strengthening theNon-Aligned Movementand also co–chair a bilateral meeting between Ghana and Iran at the Ghanaianpresidential palaceFlagstaff House.
TheSustainable Development Goals(SDG) were integrated into Ghana's development agenda and the budget. According to reports, the SDGs were implemented through a decentralized planning approach. This allows for stakeholders' participation, such as in UN agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, academia, and others.The 17 SDGs are a global call to action to end poverty among others, and the UN and its partners in the country are working towards achieving them.According to the PresidentNana Akufo-Addo, Ghana was "the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve the goal of halving poverty, as contained in Goal 1 of theMillennium Development Goals".
In 1957, theGhana Armed Forces(GAF) consisted of its headquarters, support services, three battalions of infantry and a reconnaissance squadron with armoured vehicles.President Nkrumah aimed at rapidly expanding the GAF to support theUnited States of Africaambitions. Thus, in 1961, 4th and 5th Battalions were established, and in 1964 6th Battalion was established, from aparachuteairborne unitoriginally raised in 1963.Today, Ghana is aregional powerandregional hegemon.In his bookShake Hands with the Devil,Canadian ForcescommanderRoméo Dallairehighly rated the GAF soldiers and military personnel.
Themilitary operationsandmilitary doctrineof the GAF are conceptualised in the constitution, Ghana's Law on Armed Force Military Strategy, andKofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centreagreements to which GAF is attestator.GAF military operations are executed under the auspices and imperium of theMinistry of Defence.Although Ghana is relatively peaceful and is often considered being one of the least violent countries in the region, Ghana has experienced political violence in the past and 2017 has thus far seen an upward trend in incidents motivated by political grievances.
TheGhana Police Serviceand theCriminal Investigation Departmentare the main law enforcement agencies, responsible for the detection of crime, maintenance of law and order and the maintenance of internal peace and security.The Ghana Police Service has eleven specialised police units, including aMilitarized policeRapid deployment forceandMarine Police Unit.The Ghana Police Service operates in 12 divisions: ten covering the regions of Ghana, one assigned specifically to the seaport and industrial hub ofTema, and the twelfth being the Railways, Ports and Harbours Division.The Ghana Police Service's Marine Police Unit and Division handles issues that arise from the country's offshoreoil and gas industry.
TheGhana Prisons Serviceand the sub-divisionBorstal Institute for Juvenilesadministers incarceration.Ghana retains and exercises the death penalty for treason, corruption, robbery, piracy, drug trafficking, rape, and homicide.The new sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations call for the international community to come together to promote the rule of law; support equal access to justice for all; reduce corruption; and develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
Ghana is used as a key narcotics industry transshipment point by traffickers, usually from South America as well as some from other African nations.In 2013, the UN chief of the Office on Drugs and Crime stated that "West Africa is completely weak in terms of border control and the big drug cartels fromColombiaandLatin Americahave chosen Africa as a way to reach Europe."There is not a wide or popular knowledge about the narcotics industry and intercepted narcotics within Ghana, since it is anunderground economy. The social context within which narcotic trafficking, storage, transportation, and repacking systems exist in Ghana and the state's location along the Gulf of Guinea makes Ghana an attractive country for the narcotics business.TheNarcotics Control Boardhas impounded container ships at the Sekondi Naval Base in theTakoradi Harbour. These ships were carrying thousands of kilograms of cocaine, with a street value running into billions ofGhana cedis. However, drug seizures saw a decline in 2011.Drug cartelsare using new methods in narcotics production and narcotics exportation, to avoid Ghanaian security agencies.Underdeveloped institutions, porous open borders, and the existence of established smuggling organisations contribute to Ghana's position in the narcotics industry.President Mills initiated ongoing efforts to reduce the role of airports in Ghana's drug trade.
Homosexual actsare prohibited by law in Ghana.According to a 2013 survey by thePew Research Center, 96% of Ghanaians believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society.Sometimes elderlywomen in Ghanaare accused ofwitchcraft, particularly in rural Ghana. Issues of witchcraft mainly remain as speculations based on superstitions within families. In some parts of northern Ghana, there exist what are calledwitch camps. These are said to house a total of around 1,000 people accused of witchcraft.The Ghanaian government has announced that it intends to close the camps.
Ghana possessesindustrial minerals,hydrocarbonsandprecious metals. It is an emerging designateddigital economywithmixed economyhybridisation and anemerging market. It has an economic plan target known as the "Ghana Vision 2020". This plan envisions Ghana as the first African country to become adeveloped countrybetween 2020 and 2029 and anewly industrialised countrybetween 2030 and 2039.This excludes fellowGroup of 24member andSub-Saharan AfricancountrySouth Africa, which is a newly industrialised country.
Ghana's economy has ties to theChinese yuan renminbialong with Ghana's vast gold reserves. In 2013, theBank of Ghanabegan circulating the renminbi throughout Ghanaian state-owned banks and to the Ghana public ashard currencyalong with the nationalGhanaian cedifor second national trade currency.
Between 2012 and 2013, 38% of rural dwellers were experiencing poverty whereas only 11% of urban dwellers were.Urban areas hold greater opportunity for employment, particularly in informal trade, while nearly all (94 percent) of "rural poor households" participate in the agricultural sector.
TheVolta River Authorityand theGhana National Petroleum Corporation, both state-owned, are the two major electricity producers.TheAkosombo Dam, built on the Volta River in 1965, along with theBui Dam, theKpong Damand several other hydroelectric dams, providehydropower.In addition, the government sought tobuild the second nuclear power plant in Africa.
TheGhana Stock Exchangeis the fifth largest on continental Africa and 3rd largest in sub-saharan Africa with amarket capitalisationofGH¢57.2 billion orCN¥180.4 billion in 2012 with the South AfricaJSE Limitedas first.TheGhana Stock Exchangewas the second best performingstock exchangein sub-saharan Africa in 2013.
Ghana produces high-qualitycocoa.It is the second largest producer of cocoa globally and itsICCOmembership helps in its international cocoa trade.Ghana is classified as a middle income country.Servicesaccount for 50% of GDP, followed bymanufacturing(24.1%),extractive industries(5%), and taxes (20.9%).Ghana has an increasing primary manufacturing economy and export of digital technology goods along with assembling and exporting automobiles and ships, diverse resource rich exportation ofindustrial minerals, agricultural products primarily cocoa, petroleum and natural gas,andindustriessuch asinformation and communications technologyprimarily via Ghana's state digital technology corporationRlg Communicationswhich manufacturestablet computerswithsmartphonesand variousconsumer electronics.Urbanelectric carshave been manufactured in Ghana since 2014.
It announced plans to issue government debt by way of social and green bonds in Autumn 2021, making it the first African country to do so.The country, which was planning to borrow up to $5 billion in international markets,would use the proceeds from these sustainable bonds to refinance debt used for social and environmental projects and pay for educational or health. Only a few other nations have sold them so far, includingChileandEcuador. The country will use the proceeds to forge ahead with a free secondary-school initiative started in 2017 among other programs, despite having recorded its lowest economic growth rate in 37 years in 2020.
It produces and exportshydrocarbonssuch assweet crude oilandnatural gas.The 100%-state-ownedfilling stationcompany,Ghana Oil Company, is the number 1 petroleum and gas filling station, and the 100%-state-owned state oil companyGhana National Petroleum Corporationoverseeshydrocarbon explorationand production of petroleum and natural gas reserves. Ghana aims to further increase the output of oil to 2.2 million barrels (350,000 m) per day and gas to 34,000,000 cubic metres (1.2×10^cu ft) per day.TheJubilee Oil Field, which contains up to 3 billion barrels (480,000,000 m) of sweet crude oil, was discovered in 2007.Ghana is believed to have up to 5 billion barrels (790,000,000 m) to 7 billion barrels (1.1×10m) of petroleum in reserves,which is the fifth-largest in Africa and the 21st-to-25th-largest proven reservesin the world. It also has up to 1.7×10cubic metres (6×10^cu ft) of natural gas in reserves.The government has drawn up plans tonationalisepetroleum and natural gas reserves to increase government revenue.
In 2015, Ghana produced 88 metric tonnes of gold as per the our world in data report.As of 2019, Ghana was the 7th largest producer of gold in the world, producing ~140tonnesthat year.This record saw Ghana surpass South Africa in output for the first time, making Ghana the largest gold producer in Africa.In addition to gold, Ghana exportssilver, timber,diamonds,bauxite, andmanganese, and has other mineral deposits.Ghana ranks 9th in the world in diamond export and reserve size.The government has drawn up plans tonationalizemining industry to increase government revenue.
"Shortages" of electricity in 2015 and 2016 led todumsor("persistent, irregular and unpredictable" electric power outages),increasing the interest in renewables.As of 2019, there is a surplus of electricity.
Thejudicial system of Ghanadeals with corruption, economic malpractice and lack of economic transparency.According to Transparency International'sCorruption Perceptions Indexof 2018, out of 180 countries, Ghana was ranked 78th, with a score of 41 on a scale where a 0–9 score means highly corrupt, and a 90–100 score means very clean. This was based on perceived levels of public sector corruption.
Ghana launched a cellular mobile network in 1992. It was later connected to the Internet and introduced ADSL broadband services.It was ranked 99th in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2024.
TheGhana Space Science and Technology Centre(GSSTC) and Ghana Space Agency (GhsA) overseespace explorationand space programmes. GSSTC and GhsA worked to have anational securityobservational satellitelaunched into orbit in 2015.Ghana's annual space exploration expenditure has been 1% of its GDP, to support research in science and technology. In 2012, Ghana was elected to chair theCommission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South(Comsats); Ghana has a joint effort in space exploration with theSouth African National Space Agency.
In 2011, tourists visiting Ghana numbered 1,087,000,with arrivals including South Americans, Asians, Europeans, and North Americans.Among the attractions and tourist destinations are waterfalls such asKintampo waterfallsand the largest waterfall in west Africa,Wli waterfalls, the coastal palm-lined sandy beaches, caves, mountains, rivers, and reservoirs and lakes such asLake Bosumtwiand the largest human-made lake in the world by surface area,Lake Volta, dozens offorts and castles,World Heritage Sites, nature reserves and national parks.Notable castles areCape Coast Castleand theElmina Castle.Castles mark where blood was shed in the slave trade and preserve and promote the African heritage stolen and destroyed through the slave trade.TheWorld Heritage Conventionof UNESCO named Ghana's castles and forts as World Heritage Monuments, based on the criterion: "The Castles and Forts of Ghana shaped not only Ghana’s history but that of the world over four centuries as the focus of first the gold trade and then the slave trade. They are a significant and emotive symbol of European-African encounters and of the starting point of the African Diaspora."
TheWorld Economic Forumstatistics in 2010 showed that out of the world's favourite tourist destinations, Ghana was ranked 108th out of 139 countries.The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. In 2011,Forbesmagazine published that Ghana was ranked the 11th most friendly country in the world. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travellers. Of all the African countries that were included in the survey, Ghana ranked highest.Tourism is the fourth highest earner of foreign exchange for the country.In 2024, Ghana ranked as the55th most peaceful countryin the world.
Up and down the coastline, surfing spots have been identified and cultivated by locals and internationals. Surfers have made trips to the country to sample the waves. Surfers carried their boards amidtraditional fishing vessels.
According to Destination Pride—a data-driven search platform used to visualize the world's LGBTQ+ laws, rights and social sentiment—Ghana's Pride score is 22 (out of 100).
As of 2024United Nations' reports, Ghana has a population of 34,581,288.As of 2018, around 29% of the population is under the age of 15, while persons aged 15–64 make up 57.8% of the population.The 2010 census reported that the largest ethnic groups are the Akan (47.3%), the Mole-Dagbani (18.5%), the Ewe (13.9%), the Ga-Dangme (7.4%), the Gurma (5.7%) and the Guan (3.7%).As of 2024United Nations' reports, the median age of Ghanaian citizens is 21 years old.Ghana contributes 0.42% to the total world population.
Withrecent legal immigrationofskilled workerswho possessGhana Cards, there is a small population of Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Middle Eastern and European nationals. In 2010, theGhana Immigration Servicereported manyeconomic migrantsandIllegal immigrants inhabiting Ghana: 14.6% (or 3.1 million) of Ghana's 2010 population (predominantly Nigerians, Burkinabe citizens, Togolese citizens, and Malian citizens). In 1969, under the "Ghana Aliens Compliance Order" enacted by then Prime MinisterKofi Abrefa Busia,theBorder Guard Unitdeported more than 3,000,000 aliens and illegal immigrants in three months as they made up 20% of the population at the time.In 2013, there was a mass deportation of illegal miners, more than 4,000 of whom were Chinese nationals.
English is theofficial languageof Ghana.Additionally, there are eleven languages that have the status of government-sponsored languages:
Of these, Asante Twi is the most widely spoken.
Because Ghana is surrounded byFrench-speaking countries, French is widely taught in schools and used for commercial and international economic exchanges. Since 2005, Ghana has been an associate member of theOrganisation internationale de la Francophonie,the global organisation that unites French-speaking countries (84 nations on six continents). In 2005, more than 350,000 Ghanaian children studied French in schools. Since then, its status has been progressively updated to a mandatory language in every junior high school,and it is in the process of becoming an official language.
Ghanaian Pidgin English, also known as Kru English (or in Akan,kroo brofo), is a variety ofWest African Pidgin Englishspoken in Accra and in the southern towns.It can be divided into two varieties, referred to as "uneducated" or "non-institutionalized" pidgin and "educated" or "institutionalized" pidgin, the former associated with uneducated or illiterate people and the latter acquired and used in institutions such as universities.
Christianityis the largest religion in Ghana, with 71.3% of the population being members of variousChristian denominationsas of the 2021 census.Islamis practised by 20% of the total population. According to a 2012 report byPew Research, 51% of Muslims are followers ofSunni Islam, while approximately 16% belong to theAhmadiyyamovement and around 8% identify withShiaIslam, while the remainder arenon-denominational Muslims.There is "no significant link between ethnicity and religion in Ghana".
Ghana has around 150,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.
Ghana has auniversal health caresystem,National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), which is strictly designated forGhanaian nationals.Health care is variable throughout Ghana and in 2012, more than 12 million Ghanaian nationals were covered by the NHIS.Urban centres are well served and contain most of the hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. There are more than 200 hospitals, and Ghana is a destination formedical tourism.In 2010, there were 0.1 physicians per 1,000 people and as of 2011, 0.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people.In 2010, 5.2% of Ghana's GDP was spent on health.In 2020, the WHO announced Ghana became the second country in the WHO African Region to attain regulatory system "maturity level 3", the second-highest in the four-tiered WHO classification ofNational medicines regulatory systems.
Life expectancy at birth in 2021 was 68.6 for a female and 63.7 for a male.In 2013,infant mortalitywas to 39 per 1,000 live births.Sources vary on life expectancy at birth; theWorld Health Organization(WHO) estimated 62 years for men and 64 years for women born in 2016.The fertility rate declined from 3.99 (2000) to 3.28 (2010) with 2.78 in urban region and 3.94 in rural region.The United Nations reports a fertility decline from 6.95 (1970) to 4.82 (2000) to 3.93 live births per woman in 2017.
As of 2012, theHIV/AIDSprevalence was estimated at 1.40% among adults aged 15–49.
The education system is divided into three parts: basic education, secondary cycle, and tertiary education. "Basic education" lasts 11 years (ages 4‒15).It is divided into kindergarten (two years), primary school (two modules of three years) and junior high (three years). Junior high school ends with theBasic Education Certificate Examination.Once certified, the pupil can proceed to the secondary cycle.Hence, the pupil has the choice between general education (offered by the senior high school) and vocational education (offered by the technical senior high school or the technical and vocational institutes). Senior high school lasts 3 years and leads to theWest African Senior School Certificate Examination, which is a prerequisite for enrollment in a university bachelor's degree programme.Polytechnics are open to vocational students.
A bachelor's degree requires four years of study. It can be followed by a one- or two-year master's degree programme, which can be followed by a PhD programme of at least three years.A polytechnic programme lasts two or three years.Ghana possesses colleges of education.Some of the universities are theUniversity of Ghana,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, andUniversity of Cape Coast.
There are more than 95% of children in school.The female and male ages 15–24 years literacy rate was 81% in 2010, with males at 82%,and females at 80%.An education system annually attractsforeign studentsparticularly in the university sector.
Ghana has afree educationsix-year primary school education system beginning at age 6.The government largely funds basic education comprising public primary schools and public junior high schools. Senior high schools were subsidised by the government until September 2017/2018 academic year that senior high education became free.At the higher education level, the government funds more than 80% of resources provided to public universities, polytechnics and teacher training colleges. As part of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education, Fcube, the government supplies all basic education schools with all their textbooks and other educational supplies, like exercise books. Senior high schools are provided with all their textbook requirements by the government. Private schools acquire their educational material from private suppliers.
Ghanaian cuisineincludes an assortment of soups and stews with varied seafoods; most Ghanaian soups are prepared with vegetables, meat, poultry or fish.Fish is important in the diet, with tilapia, roasted and friedwhitebait, smoked fish and crayfish, all being common components of Ghanaian dishes.Banku(akple) is a common starchy food made from ground corn (maize),and cornmeal based staples kɔmi (kenkey) and banku (akple) are usually accompanied by some form of fried fish (chinam) or grilled tilapia and a very spicy condiment made from raw red and green chillies, onions and tomatoes (pepper sauce).Banku and tilapia is a combo served in most restaurants.Fufuis the most common exported Ghanaian dish and is a delicacy across theAfrican diaspora.Rice is an established staple meal across the country, with various rice-based dishes serving as breakfast, lunch and dinner, the main variants are waakye, plain rice and stew (either kontomire or tomato gravy), fried rice andjollof rice.
During the 13th century, Ghanaians developed their unique art ofadinkraprinting. Hand-printed and hand-embroidered adinkra clothes were made and used exclusively by royalty for devotional ceremonies. Each of the motifs that make up thecorpusof adinkra symbolism has a name and meaning derived from a proverb, a historical event, human attitude,ethology,plant life-form, or shapes of inanimate and man-made objects. The meanings of the motifs may be categorised into aesthetics, ethics, human relations, and concepts.The Adinkra symbols have a decorative function as tattoos but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life, or the environment. There are many symbols with distinct meanings, often linked with proverbs. In the words ofAnthony Appiah, they were one of the means in a pre-literate society for "supporting the transmission of a complex and nuanced body of practice and belief".
Along with theadinkra cloth,Ghanaians use many cloth fabrics for their traditional attire.The different ethnic groups have their own individual cloth. The most well known is theKente cloth.Kente is a very important national costume and clothing, and these clothes are used to make traditional and modern Kente attire.Different symbols and different colours mean different things.Kenteis the most famous of all the Ghanaian clothes.Kente is a ceremonial cloth hand-woven on a horizontaltreadle loomand strips measuring about 4 inches wide are sewn together into larger pieces of cloths.Cloths come in various colours, sizes and designs and are worn during very important social and religious occasions.In a cultural context, kente is more important than just a cloth as it is a visual representation of history and also a form of written language through weaving.The term kente has its roots in the Akan wordkɛntɛnwhich means a basket and the first kente weavers used raffia fibres to weave cloths that looked like kenten (a basket); and thus were referred to askenten ntoma; meaning basket cloth.The original Akan name of the cloth wasnsaduasoornwontoma, meaning "a cloth hand-woven on a loom"; however, "kente" is the most frequently used term today.
Kente is also woven by the Ewe people (Ewe Kente) in the Volta Region. The main weaving centres are Agortime area and Agbozume. Agbozume has a vibrant kente market attracting patrons from all over west Africa and the diaspora.
Contemporary Ghanaian fashion includes traditional and modern styles and fabrics and has made its way into the African and global fashion scene. The cloth known asAfrican print fabricwas created out of Dutch wax textiles. It is believed that in the late 19th century, Dutch ships on their way to Asia stocked with machine-made textiles that mimicked Indonesianbatikstopped at many West African ports on the way. The fabrics did not do well in Asia. However, in West Africa—mainly Ghana where there was an already established market for cloths and textiles—the client base grew and it was changed to include local and traditional designs, colours and patterns to cater to the taste of the new consumers.Today outside of Africa it is called "Ankara", and it has a client base well beyond Ghana and Africa as a whole. It is popular among Caribbean peoples andAfrican Americans; celebrities such asSolange Knowlesand her sisterBeyoncéhave been seen wearing African print attire.Many designers from countries in North America and Europe are now using African prints, and they have gained a global interest.British luxury fashion houseBurberrycreated a collection around Ghanaian styles.American musicianGwen Stefanihas repeatedly incorporated African prints into her clothing line and can often be seen wearing it.Internationally acclaimed Ghanaian-British designerOzwald Boatengintroduced African print suits in his 2012 collection.
Music incorporates types of musical instruments such as the talking drum ensembles,Akan Drum,gojefiddle and koloko lute, court music, including the AkanSeperewa, the Akan atumpan, the Ga kpanlogo styles, and logxylophonesused in asonko music.African jazz was created byKofi Ghanaba.A form of secular music ishighlife.Highlife originated in the 19th and 20th centuries and spread throughout West Africa.
In the 1990s, a genre of music was created incorporating the influences of highlife, Afro-reggae,dancehallandhip hop.This hybrid was calledhiplife.
There are dances for occasions.Dances for celebrations include theAdowa,Kpanlogo,Azonto,Klama,Agbadza,BorborborandBamaya.The Nana Otafrija Pallbearing Services, also known as theDancing Pallbearers, come from the coastal town ofPrampram. The group was featured in a BBC feature story in 2017, and footage from the story became part of an Internet meme in the wake of theCOVID-19 world pandemic.
Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guaranteesfreedom of the pressand independence of the media, while Chapter 2 prohibits censorship.Post-independence, private outlets closed during the military governments, and media laws prevented criticism of government.Press freedoms were restored in 1992, and after the election in 2000 of Kufuor, the tensions between the private media and government decreased. Kufuor supported press freedom and repealed alibellaw, and maintained that the media had to act responsibly.The media have been described as "one of the most unfettered" in Africa.
In 1948, the Gold Coast Film Unit was set up in the Information Services Department.
There are two types of construction: the series of adjacent buildings in an enclosure around a common, and the round huts with grass roof.The round huts with grass roof architecture are situated in the northern regions, while the series of adjacent buildings are in the southern regions.Postmodern architectureandhigh-tech architecturebuildings are in the southern regions, while heritage sites are evident in the more than 30 forts and castles in the country, such asFort WilliamandFort Amsterdam. Ghana has museums that are situated inside castles, and two are situated inside a fort.TheMilitary Museumand theNational Museumorganise temporary exhibitions.
Ghana has museums that allow an in-depth look at specific regions, with a number of museums providing insight into the traditions and history of the geographical areas.TheCape Coast CastleMuseum and St. Georges Castle (Elmina Castle) Museum offer guided tours. TheMuseum of Science and Technologyprovides its visitors with a look into the domain of scientific development, through exhibits of objects of scientific and technological interest.
Association footballis the top spectator sport in Ghana.Ghana has won theAfrica Cup of Nationsfour times, theFIFA U-20 World Cuponce, and has participated in fourFIFA World Cups(2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022) and has also won the FIFA U-17 World Cup twice.TheInternational Federation of Football History and Statisticscrowned Asante Kotoko SC as theAfrican club of the 20th century.
Ghana competes in theCommonwealth Games, sending athletes in every edition since1954(except for the1986 games). Ghana has won 57 medals at the Commonwealth Games, including 15 gold, with all but one of their medals coming in athletics and boxing. The country has also produced a number of boxers, includingAzumah Nelsona three-time world champion,Nana Yaw Konadualso a three-time world champion,Ike Quartey,andJoshua Clottey.
8°02′N1°05′W﻿ / ﻿8.03°N 1.08°W﻿ /8.03; -1.08