Ghana

Ghana

Introduction

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. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over as head of state in early 2009.

Geography

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 238,533 sq km
country comparison to the world: 82 land:227,533 sq km
water:11,000 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries

total: 2,094 km
border countries:Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d’Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km

Coastline

539 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm

Climate

tropical

warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast

hot and humid in southwest

hot and dry in north

Terrain

mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Mount Afadjato 885 m

Natural resources

gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone

Land use

arable land: 17.54%
permanent crops:9.22%
other:73.24% (2005)

Irrigated land

340 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

53.2 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.98cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%)
per capita:44cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March

droughts

Environment – current issues

recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities

deforestation

overgrazing

soil erosion

poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations

water pollution

inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note

Lake Volta is the world’s largest artificial lake

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective:Ghanaian

Ethnic groups

Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census)

Languages

Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other (includes English (official)) 36.1% (2000 census)

Religions

Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census)

Population

24,791,073 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47 note:estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Age structure

0-14 years: 36.5% (male 4,568,273/female 4,468,939)
15-64 years:60% (male 7,435,449/female 7,436,204)
65 years and over:3.6% (male 399,737/female 482,471) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 21.4 years
male:21.1 years
female:21.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.822% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Birth rate

27.55 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Death rate

8.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Net migration rate

-0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141

Urbanization

urban population: 51% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

ACCRA (capital) 2.269 million

Kumasi 1.773 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.84 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

350 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40

Infant mortality rate

total: 48.55 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 51 male:51.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female:45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 61 years
country comparison to the world: 185 male:59.78 years
female:62.25 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.48 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Health expenditures

10.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 24

Physicians density

0.085 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 167

Hospital bed density

0.93 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 150

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 90% of population
rural: 74% of population
total: 82% of population
unimproved:
urban: 10% of population
rural: 26% of population
total: 18% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 18% of population
rural: 7% of population
total: 13% of population
unimproved:
urban: 82% of population
rural: 93% of population
total: 87% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

1.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

260,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

HIV/AIDS – deaths

18,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:malaria
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
respiratory disease:meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease:rabies
note:highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country

it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 57

Education expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 46

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:57.9%
male:66.4%
female:49.8% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years
male:11 years
female:10 years (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form:Ghana
former:Gold Coast

Government type

constitutional democracy

Capital

name: Accra
geographic coordinates:5 33 N, 0 13 W
time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

10 regions

Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western

Independence

6 March 1957 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

Constitution

approved 28 April 1992

Legal system

mixed system of English common law and customary law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009)

Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009)

Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009)
cabinet:Council of Ministers

president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 7 and 28 December 2008 (next to be held on 7 December 2012)
election results:John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-off election

percent of vote – John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77%

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (230 seats

members elected by direct, popular vote in single-seat constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 7 December 2008 (next to be held on 7 December 2012)
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

High Court

Court of Appeal

regional tribunals

Political parties and leaders

Convention People’s Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]

Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]

Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE

Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTEY]

National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI]

New Patriotic Party or NPP [Jake OBETSEBI-LAMPEY]

People’s National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]

Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU]

United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian Aid (water rights)

Committee for Joint Action or CJA (education reform)

National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water or CAP (water rights)

Oxfam (water rights)

Public Citizen (water rights)

Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene OKAI] (education reform)

Third World Network (education reform)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM
chancery:3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 686-4520
FAX:[1] (202) 686-4527
consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM
embassy:24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra
mailing address:P. O. Box 194, Accra
telephone:[233] (21) 741-000
FAX:[233] (21) 741-389

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band

red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents the country’s mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and natural wealth

the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom
note:uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band

National symbol(s)

black star

golden eagle

National anthem

name: “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana”
lyrics/music:unknown/Philip GBEHO
note:music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966

the lyrics were changed twice, once when a republic was declared in 1960 and again after a 1966 coup

Economy

Economy – overview

Ghana is well endowed with natural resources and agriculture accounts for roughly one-third of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. The services sector accounts for 40% of GDP. Gold and cocoa production and individual remittances are major sources of foreign exchange. Oil production at Ghana’s offshore Jubilee field began in mid-December, 2010, and is expected to boost economic growth. Estimated oil reserves have jumped to almost 700 million barrels. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. In 2009 Ghana signed a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF to improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competitiveness, human resource development, and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with high prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth in 2008-10. In early 2010 President John Atta MILLS targeted recovery from high inflation and current account and budget deficits as his priorities.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$61.97 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86 $58.61 billion (2009 est.)
$56 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.08 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

5.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 4.7% (2009 est.)
8.4% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174 $2,500 (2009 est.)
$2,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 29.9%
industry:18.6%
services:51.4% (2010 est.)

Labor force

10.56 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 56%
industry:15%
services:29% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Population below poverty line

28.5% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%:32.8% (2006)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

39.4 (2005-06)
country comparison to the world: 68 40.7 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Budget

revenues: $5.381 billion
expenditures:$7.757 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Public debt

34% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83 33.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204 19.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

18% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 11 17% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

22.7% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6 28.8% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.102 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80 $5.547 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.78 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99 $8.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$8.747 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98 $7.408 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.531 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 91 $2.508 billion (31 December 2009)
$3.394 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas

timber

Industries

mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity – production

8.167 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Electricity – consumption

6.06 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Electricity – exports

538 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity – imports

263 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

8,880 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Oil – consumption

60,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Oil – exports

5,752 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Oil – imports

68,830 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Oil – proved reserves

660 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas – proved reserves

22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

Current account balance

-$2.324 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163 -$1.199 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$7.892 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99 $5.84 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticulture

Exports – partners

Netherlands 11.7%, UK 7%, France 5.7%, US 5.6%, Ukraine 5%, Belgium 4.6% (2010)

Imports

$10.95 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88 $8.046 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs

Imports – partners

China 16.6%, Nigeria 12.7%, US 8.4%, Cote dIvoire 6.2%, UK 4.5%, France 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87 $3.165 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$6.795 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102 $5.72 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

cedis (GHC) per US dollar -
1.429 (2010)
1.409 (2009)
1.1 (2008)
0.95 (2007)
9,174.8 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

11 (2010)
country comparison to the world:156

Airports – with paved runways

total: 7
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:2 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 4
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 1 km

oil 5 km

refined products 312 km (2010)

Railways

total: 947 km
country comparison to the world: 91 narrow gauge:947 km 1.067-m gauge (2009)

Roadways

total: 62,221 km
country comparison to the world: 72 paved:9,955 km
unpaved:52,266 km (2006)

Waterways

1,293 km (168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers

1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 58

Merchant marine

total: 4
country comparison to the world: 135 by type:petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3
foreign-owned:2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Takoradi, Tema

Military

Military branches

Ghana Army, Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate

no conscription (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 6,268,191
females age 16-49:6,194,339 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 4,136,406
females age 16-49:4,220,761 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 267,896
female:260,992 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 87

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d’Ivoire

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 35,653 (Liberia)

8,517 (Togo) (2007)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade

major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US

widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country’s utility as a money laundering center

significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use