Ghana

Republic of Ghana

Geography 

Capital: Accra
Major Towns: Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Takoradi 
Location (geographical coordinates/latitude and longitude): 5°33'N, 0°15'W
Time Zone: GMT
Size (Land and Sea): 239,460 sq km
Borders with Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m;  Highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m
 
Politics 

Head of State: President John Agyekum Kufuor
Form of Government: Constitutional Republic
Independancy (from UK):  6 March 1957 
Currency: Ghanaian cedi (GHS)

Industry 

Main industries: Mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building
Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Agriculture: cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber

Population and People  

Population: 22,931,299
Population density per sq mi: 258
Growth rate: 2.0%
Birth rate: 29.85 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.89 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 53.6/1000
Religion: 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)
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 36.1% (includes English (official)) (2000 census)
Ethnic groups / Tribes: 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)
Average age: 0-14 years: 38.2% (male 4,438,308/female 4,329,293); 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 6,661,512/female 6,687,738); 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 380,495/female 433,953) (2007 est.)
Life expectancy: 59.1
Literacy (definition: age 15 and over can read and write): Total population: 57.9%; male: 66.4%; female: 49.8% (2000 census)

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• The word "Ghana" means "Warrior King"
• Up until March 1957, Ghana was known to much of the world as the Gold Coast
• The name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana that once extended throughout much of western Africa
• Rich natural heritage
• Dense rainforests
• Wildlife includes antelope, monkeys, lions and elephants
• Famous for birds and butterflies
• Was the site of the Empire of Ashanti which was perhaps the most advanced black state in sub-Sahara Africa. It is said that at its peak, the King of Ashanti could field 500,000 troops
• Palm-fringed beaches and lagoons with watersport activities
• Many traces of the country’s rich history
• 42 European forts and castles including Elmina and Cape Coast Castles which are all recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Monuments
• Colourful traditional festivals
• Ghana was the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom in the medieval Ghana Empire of West Africa
• Ghana has twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa
• The Greenwich Meridian traverses the eastern part of Ghana at Tema. It is said that Ghana is geographically closer to the "center" of the world than any other country.
• Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
• More than 250 languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana
• Accra, the capital, with Centre for National Culture, Makola Market, Osu Night Market (which is illuminated by hundreds of lanterns and candles)
• Many options to go on safari: Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bia National Park, Bui National Park, Mole Game Reserve and Kakum Nature Reserve
• World famous Fantasy Coffins at Nungua. (carpentry workshops). Among the Ga people it is fashionable to be laid to rest in a coffin that bears a relationship to what the deceased did in life.
• Kumasi is the historic capital of the Ashanti civilisation
• Larabanga Mosque: Built in the style of former Western Sudanese Empires, it houses a holy Koran and is believed by locals to be a ‘God-built mosque'
• Witches' settlements: sanctuaries for people, mostly women, accused of witchcraft
• Kakum National Park in Cape Coast with a canopy walkway suspended 30m (98ft) above the forest floor