2011 Edition

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.

Area

238,533 sq km 227,533 sq km 11,000 sq km

total

238,533 sq km

water

11,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate

tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north

Coastline

539 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Afadjato 885 m

highest point

Mount Afadjato 885 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

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

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 Marine Life Conservation

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%) 44 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

44 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%)

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 2 00 W

Geography - note

Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake

Irrigated land

340 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

2,094 km Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km

border countries

Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km

total

2,094 km

Land use

17.54% 9.22% 73.24% (2005)

arable land

17.54%

other

73.24% (2005)

permanent crops

9.22%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area

Total renewable water resources

53.2 cu km (2001)

Age structure

36.5% (male 4,568,273/female 4,468,939) 60% (male 7,435,449/female 7,436,204) 3.6% (male 399,737/female 482,471) (2011 est.)

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.)

Birth rate

27.55 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.3% (2008)

Death rate

8.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

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

rural

26% of population

total

18% of population (2008)

urban

10% of population

Education expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2005)

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)

Health expenditures

10.6% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.8% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

18,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

260,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.93 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

48.55 deaths/1,000 live births 51.99 deaths/1,000 live births 45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

45.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

48.55 deaths/1,000 live births

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)

Life expectancy at birth

61 years 59.78 years 62.25 years (2011 est.)

female

62.25 years (2011 est.)

total population

61 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 57.9% 66.4% 49.8% (2000 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

49.8% (2000 census)

male

66.4%

total population

57.9%

Major cities - population

ACCRA (capital) 2.269 million; Kumasi 1.773 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies 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)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

350 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

21.4 years 21.1 years 21.6 years (2011 est.)

female

21.6 years (2011 est.)

male

21.1 years

total

21.4 years

Nationality

Ghanaian(s) Ghanaian

adjective

Ghanaian

noun

Ghanaian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.085 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

24,791,073 (July 2011 est.) 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

Population growth rate

1.822% (2011 est.)

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)

Sanitation facility access

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

rural

93% of population

total

87% of population (2008)

urban

82% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 10 years (2009)

female

10 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.48 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

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

rate of urbanization

3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

51% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Accra 5 33 N, 0 13 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

5 33 N, 0 13 W

name

Accra

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved 28 April 1992

Country name

Republic of Ghana Ghana Gold Coast

conventional long form

Republic of Ghana

conventional short form

Ghana

former

Gold Coast

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra P. O. Box 194, Accra [233] (21) 741-000 [233] (21) 741-389

chief of mission

Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM

embassy

24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra

FAX

[233] (21) 741-389

mailing address

P. O. Box 194, Accra

telephone

[233] (21) 741-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 686-4520 [1] (202) 686-4527 New York

chancery

3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 686-4527

telephone

[1] (202) 686-4520

Executive branch

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 President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009) Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament 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) 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%

cabinet

Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament

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

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%

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)

head of government

President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009)

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 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

Government type

constitutional democracy

Independence

6 March 1957 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; High Court; Court of Appeal; regional tribunals

Legal system

mixed system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote in single-seat constituencies to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 December 2008 (next to be held on 7 December 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2

elections

last held on 7 December 2008 (next to be held on 7 December 2012)

National anthem

"God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" unknown/Philip GBEHO 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

lyrics/music

unknown/Philip GBEHO

name

"God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

National symbol(s)

black star; golden eagle

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)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$5.381 billion $7.757 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$7.757 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$5.381 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

18% (31 December 2009) 17% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

22.7% (31 December 2010 est.) 28.8% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.324 billion (2010 est.) -$1.199 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$6.795 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.72 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.4 (2005-06) 40.7 (1999)

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.

Electricity - consumption

6.06 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

538 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

263 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

8.167 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$7.892 billion (2010 est.) $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)

GDP - composition by sector

29.9% 18.6% 51.4% (2010 est.)

agriculture

29.9%

industry

18.6%

services

51.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2010 est.) $2,500 (2009 est.) $2,400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.7% (2010 est.) 4.7% (2009 est.) 8.4% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.08 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$61.97 billion (2010 est.) $58.61 billion (2009 est.) $56 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 32.8% (2006)

highest 10%

32.8% (2006)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$10.95 billion (2010 est.) $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)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.7% (2010 est.) 19.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

10.56 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

56% 15% 29% (2005 est.)

agriculture

56%

industry

15%

services

29% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.531 billion (31 December 2010) $2.508 billion (31 December 2009) $3.394 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

60,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

5,752 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

68,830 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

8,880 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

660 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

28.5% (2007 est.)

Public debt

34% of GDP (2010 est.) 33.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.165 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.78 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $8.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$8.747 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.408 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.102 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.547 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2000 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately-owned TV stations and a large number of privately-owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable (2007)

Internet country code

.gh

Internet hosts

41,082 (2010)

Internet users

1.297 million (2009)

Telephone system

primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed; outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 60 per 100 persons and rising country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, Main One, and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South Africa, Europe, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2009)

domestic

competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 60 per 100 persons and rising

general assessment

primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed; outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra

international

country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, Main One, and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South Africa, Europe, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

277,900 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17.436 million (2010)

Airports

11 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

4

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)

total

4

Pipelines

gas 1 km; oil 5 km; refined products 312 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Takoradi, Tema

Railways

947 km 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2009)

total

947 km

Roadways

62,221 km 9,955 km 52,266 km (2006)

total

62,221 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)

Manpower available for military service

6,268,191 6,194,339 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,194,339 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,268,191

Manpower fit for military service

4,136,406 4,220,761 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,220,761 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,136,406

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

267,896 260,992 (2010 est.)

female

260,992 (2010 est.)

male

267,896

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate; no conscription (2011)

Disputes - international

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

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007)