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Cape Coast (Cabo Corso) seen from Cape Coast Castle. The fishing port is the capital of Ghana's Central Region.
Image: Erik Cleves Kristensen

___ Ghana

Flag of Ghana

Location map of Ghana

A virtual guide to Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, a country in western Africa just north of the Equator. Situated between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo, and bordered by Burkina Faso in north and by the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) in south.

The country covers an area of 238,533 km², making it slightly smaller than the UK, or also slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Oregon.

Ghana's terrain offers mostly low plains with some scattered hills criss-crossed by rivers, and there is Lake Volta, the world's largest artificial lake.
Mount Afadja (or Mount Afadjato) is Ghana's highest peak with just 885 m (2,904 ft). The hill is located in the Agumatsa Range. Main rivers are the Black Volta, the Red Volta and the White Volta, they merge into one river Volta, which has been dammed at Akosombo to form Lake Volta, the world's largest artificial lake.

Ghana's population of 34.6 million inhabitants (in 2024) is divided into some 75 ethnic groups. The most densely populated parts of the country are the coastal areas, the Ashanti region around Kumasi, the Ashanti capital. Capital and largest city is Accra. Spoken languages are English (official), and Akan (Twi–Fante), and about seventy more West African languages. Main religions are Christianity (71%), Islam (20%) and traditional faiths (3%).

Republic of Ghana

Country Profile

Background:
Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and a ban on political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President Atta MILLS in a free and fair election, succeeded him.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

related countries: United Kingdom

Official Name:
Republic of Ghana
short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast

ISO Country Code: gh

Time:
Time Zone:
Local Time = UTC (+-0; no UTC/GMT offset)
Actual Time: Fri-Oct-4 00:40

Country Calling Code: +233

Capital City: Accra

Other Cities: Kumasi (1 million est.), Tema (500,000 est.), Sekondi-Takoradi (370,000 est.).

Government:
Type: Multiparty Democracy.
Independence: 6 March 1957.
Constitution: Entered into force 7 January 1993.

Geography:
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.
Area: 238,391 km² (92,100 sq. mi.).
Terrain: Plains and scrubland, rainforest, savanna.

Climate: Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north.

People:
Nationality: Ghanaian(s).
Population: 34.6 million (2024)
Real GDP per capita: $6,700 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups: Akan 45.7%, Mole-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%, Ga-Dangme 7.1%, Gurma 6.4%,
Religions: Christianity (71%), Islam (20%) and traditional faiths (3%).
Languages: English (official), Akan (which includes Asante Twi, Akwapim Twi, Akyem, and Fanti) 49%, Mole-Dagbani 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga-Adangbe 8%, Guan 4%, others 10%.
Literacy: 80% (est. 2024)

Natural resources: Gold, timber, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish.

Agriculture products: Cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber

Industries: Mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building.

Exports - commodities: oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticultural products

Exports - partners: UAE 24%, Switzerland 17%, United States 14%, India 10%, China 10%, France 5.7% (2022)

Imports - commodities: capital equipment, refined petroleum, foodstuffs

Imports - partners: China 41%, Netherlands 7%, India 5%, United States 5%, Cote d'Ivoire 4% (2022)

Currency: Cedi (GHC)

Presidential Palace in Accra, capital city of Ghana

Ghana's Presidential Palace, the 'Flagstaff House', formerly known as Golden Jubilee House in Accra, capital city of Ghana.
Image: Jessica Gardner

Political system
Ghana is considered one of the more stable countries in West Africa. The nation maintains a constitutional presidential multiparty democracy. Chief of state and head of government is the president. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and Parliament.

Official Sites of Ghana

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

The Republic of Ghana
The Official Website of the Republic of Ghana.

Presidency of Ghana
Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana.

The Parliament of Ghana
The Parliament of Ghana website.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration
Official website of Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Diplomatic Missions:
Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations
Ghana's Permanent Mission to the UN.
Embassy of Ghana
Embassy of Ghana in The Hague - Netherlands.
Embassy of Ghana in Washington D.C.
Embassy of Ghana in the United States.
Ghana Missions Abroad
List of Ghana Missions Abroad.
Foreign Embassies in Ghana
A list of foreign representations in Ghana.

Maps

Political Map of Ghana
Administrative Map of Ghana.

Google Earth Ghana
Searchable map and satellite view of Ghana.

Google Earth Accra
Searchable map and satellite view of Ghana's capital city.

Political Map of Africa
The 54 countries of Africa.

Map of Africa
A Relief Map of Africa.

News

Ghana enjoys a high degree of media freedom and the press and broadcasters operate without significant restrictions.

Ghanaian Chronicle
The Ghanaian Chronicle, is a private daily, published from Accra.

The Business and Financial Times
Privately owned business newspaper from Ghana.

The Ghanaian Times
Government-owned daily newspaper published in Accra.

GhanaWeb
A Ghananian portal website covering news, politics, business, sports and more.

NewsGhana
Independent news portal founded in 2012.

International News
Google News Search
Find Ghana related news.

Sahelian mosque in Larabanga in West Gonja district, Ghana

Sahelian mosque in Larabanga in West Gonja district, near Mole National Park.
Image: Stig Nygaard

Arts & Culture

Akan Cultural Symbols (PDF)
About Adinkra symbolism as a visual representation of social thought relating to the history, philosophy and religious beliefs of the Akan peoples of Ghana and the Gyaman people of Cote' d'lvoire.

The Ashantis
Asanteman - The Ashanti Kingdom, The Ashantis are one section of the people known as the Akans in Ghana.

Navrongo and Lawra Home Page
Web Page devoted to two small communities in Northern Ghana.

Music
Latest Ghana Music
The latest about popular Ghana music.
GhanaMusic.com
100% GH Music.
Shasha Marley
Shasha Marley is a great singer and lyricist from Ghana, he has used his music to promote social, political and medical change throughout Africa (Listen to Twin City Mafia on YouTube).

africancraft.com
African Art, African Artists, Artisans, Designers.

Obaasema
Magazine - Ghanaian Woman, Entertainment, Beauty, Fashion, Love ....

Sports
Ghana Football Association
Official Website of the Ghana Football Association.

Ohene ko hia - The king is gone to the harem.
Image: Ghana Rising - Akan Cultural Symbols

Business & Economy

Ghana is Africa’s second-biggest gold producer and second-largest cocoa producer. The country is rich in diamonds and oil, but Ghana is locked in a dispute with Cote d'Ivoire over ownership of maritime oil fields, a final ruling from an international court is expected in 2017. The country has a negative trade balance, it imports more than it exports. Top exports of Ghana are gold, cocoa products and crude petroleum.

Bank of Ghana
Central Bank Ghana.

Ghana Stock Exchange
The GSE aims to become a relevant, significant and efficient vehicle in mobilizing and allocating long term capital for the economic development and growth of Ghana.

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
Government agency which encourage, promote and facilitate investments in all sectors of the economy except mining and petroleum.

___Transportation

Air
Ghana International Airlines (GIA) was the national airline of the Republic of Ghana until 2010.
Ghana Airways was the national airline of the Republic of Ghana until 2015.

Air Ghana
Airline based at Kotoka International Airport, Accra.
Africa World Airlines
Ghanaian airline serves domestic routes with an Embraer 145, a regional jet aircraft.
Goldstar Air
Goldstar Air plans to launch flights to both regional and long-haul destinations.

Ghana Airports Company
Ghana's airports.

Railway
Ghana Railway Development Authority
The Ghana Railway Development Authority with the Ministry of Transport has formulated a master plan aimed at revamping the almost dead railway sector.
Currently, out of the 947km track length, only 130km is operational with freight services as well as some passenger service.

Lagoon Beach in Winneba (Simpa), fishing port in south Ghana in Effutu District.
Image: Andrew Moore

Travel and Tour Consumer Information

Destination Ghana - Travel and Tour Guides

Discover Ghana:
Mole National Park, Ghana's largest wildlife refuge. Kyabobo National Park. Volta River. Wonder Islands. Fort William in Anamabu.

Cities: Accra (pop. 2.5 m), Kumasi (Ashanti, pop. 2 m), Tamale (Northern, 470,000), Kotoku

Find accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, drumming and dancing, tours and much more.

Ghana Tourism
Official Site of Ghana Tourism with comprehensive information on tourist attractions, travel information, events.

Africa Online - Ghana
Ghana information by Africa Online.

GhanaHomePage
A Ghana portal with news and information on Ghana.

Cities
Kumasi
Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana - the city of Kumasi's website.

Elephants in Mole National Park, Ghana's largest wildlife refuge.
Image: Stig Nygaard

Education

Education in Ghana
Information about the educational system in Ghana.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
KNUST a centre of excellence in Africa for teaching in Science and Technology.

University of Cape Coast Ghana
The University of Cape Coast was established in 1962, one of the rare sea front Universities in the World.

University of Ghana
The university of the nation.

Hills in the highlands of Ghana's westen region.
Image: Stig Nygaard

Environment & Nature

Significant environmental issues are deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion. There are droughts in the north. Poaching and habitat destruction threatening Ghana's wildlife populations. Also a problem is water pollution and inadequate supplies of drinking water.

Ghana Environmental Protection Agency
Government institution dedicated to continuously improving and conserving the country's environment.


History Akan people Wikipedia article about the meta-ethnicity and ethno-linguistic group Akan. Historical Ghana Short History of the Gold Coast. History of Ghana History of the Empire of Wagadugu.

Search

GhanaHomePage
Ghana web directory index of Ghana related Websites.

Sources and additional Information on Ghana

Amnesty International: Ghana

BBC Country Profile: Ghana

The Commonwealth Ghana

FAO: Ghana

GlobalEDGE: Ghana

The Heritage Foundation: Ghana

Human Rights Watch: Ghana

OEC: Ghana

Reporters Without Borders: Ghana

Wikipedia: Ghana

The World Factbook -- Ghana