2013 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, but he died in July 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won a December 2012 special presidential election.

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%) 48.82 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

48.82 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 by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi)

Irrigated land

309 sq km (2003)

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

20.12% 11.74% 68.14% (2011)

arable land

20.12%

other

68.14% (2011)

permanent crops

11.74%

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 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 (2011)

Age structure

38.7% (male 4,902,094/female 4,858,630) 18.8% (male 2,360,293/female 2,382,573) 33.7% (male 4,120,921/female 4,363,889) 4.7% (male 577,431/female 610,716) 4.1% (male 476,297/female 546,765) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

38.7% (male 4,902,094/female 4,858,630)

15-24 years

18.8% (male 2,360,293/female 2,382,573)

25-54 years

33.7% (male 4,120,921/female 4,363,889)

55-64 years

4.7% (male 577,431/female 610,716)

65 years and over

4.1% (male 476,297/female 546,765) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

31.7 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,806,750 34 % (2006 est.)

percentage

34 % (2006 est.)

total number

1,806,750

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.3% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

23.5% (2008)

Death rate

7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

72.2 % 66.2 % 6 % 16.7 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

6 %

potential support ratio

16.7 (2013)

total dependency ratio

72.2 %

youth dependency ratio

66.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 91% of population rural: 80% of population total: 86% of population urban: 9% of population rural: 20% of population total: 14% of population (2010 est.)

rural

20% of population

total

14% of population (2010 est.)

urban

9% of population

Education expenditures

8.2% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Akan 47.5%, Mole-Dagbon 16.6%, Ewe 13.9%, Ga-Dangme 7.4%, Gurma 5.7%, Guan 3.7%, Grusi 2.5%, Mande-Busanga 1.1%, other 1.6% (2010 census)

Health expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2011)

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

0.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

39.7 deaths/1,000 live births 43.8 deaths/1,000 live births 35.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

35.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

39.7 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

65.32 years 62.99 years 67.71 years (2013 est.)

female

67.71 years (2013 est.)

total population

65.32 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 71.5% 78.3% 65.3% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

65.3% (2010 est.)

male

78.3%

total population

71.5%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever 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 (2013)

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, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

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

Maternal mortality rate

350 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

20.7 years 20.3 years 21.2 years (2013 est.)

female

21.2 years (2013 est.)

male

20.3 years

total

20.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.8 Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)

Nationality

Ghanaian(s) Ghanaian

adjective

Ghanaian

noun

Ghanaian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.5% (2008)

Physicians density

0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

25,199,609 (July 2013 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

2.19% (2013 est.)

Religions

Christian 71.2% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 28.3%, Protestant 18.4%, Catholic 13.1%, other 11.4%), Muslim 17.6%, traditional 5.2%, other 0.8%, none 5.2% (2010 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 19% of population rural: 8% of population total: 14% of population urban: 81% of population rural: 92% of population total: 86% of population (2010 est.)

rural

92% of population

total

86% of population (2010 est.)

urban

81% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 11 years (2012)

female

11 years (2012)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.88 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.12 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.6% 16.4% 16.7% (2000)

female

16.7% (2000)

total

16.6%

Urbanization

51.9% of total population (2011) 3.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

51.9% of total population (2011)

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

several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993; amended 1996 (2012)

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 Gene A. CRETZ (since 11 September 2012) 24 Fourth Circular Rd., Cantonments, Accra P. O. Box 194, Accra [233] 30-2741-000 [233] 30-2741-389

chief of mission

Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ (since 11 September 2012)

embassy

24 Fourth Circular Rd., Cantonments, Accra

FAX

[233] 30-2741-389

mailing address

P. O. Box 194, Accra

telephone

[233] 30-2741-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM (since 7 December 2009) 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 (since 7 December 2009)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 686-4527

telephone

[1] (202) 686-4520

Executive branch

President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both the chief of state and head of government President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election 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 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016) John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA 50.7%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 47.7%, other 1.6%

cabinet

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

chief of state

President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA 50.7%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 47.7%, other 1.6%

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 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016)

head of government

President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 12 justices) chief justice appointed by the president in consultation with the Council of State (a small advisory body of prominent citizens) and with the approval of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Council (an 18-member independent body of judicial, military and police officials, and presidential nominees) and on the advice of the Council of State; justices can retire at age 60, with compulsory retirement at age 70 Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 12 justices)

judge selection and term of office

chief justice appointed by the president in consultation with the Council of State (a small advisory body of prominent citizens) and with the approval of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Council (an 18-member independent body of judicial, military and police officials, and presidential nominees) and on the advice of the Council of State; justices can retire at age 60, with compulsory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals

Legal system

mixed system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote in single-seat constituencies to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 and 8 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016) percent of vote by party - NPP 47.5%, NDC 46.4%, PNC 0.6%, independent 2.5%, other 3.0%; seats by party - NDC 151, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3

election results

percent of vote by party - NPP 47.5%, NDC 46.4%, PNC 0.6%, independent 2.5%, other 3.0%; seats by party - NDC 151, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3

elections

last held on 7 and 8 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016)

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 [Samia NKRUMAH] Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Obed Yao ASAMOAH] Democratic People’s Party or DPP [T.N. WARD BREW] Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Henry GIDI] Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [vacant] National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI] National Democratic Party or NDP [Nii Armah JOSIAH-AYEH] New Patriotic Party or NPP [Jake OBETSEBI-LAMPEY] People's National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN] National Reform Party [Peter KPORDUGBE] United Renaissance Party or URP [Kofi 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 (manioc), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber

Budget

$9.282 billion $14.13 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$14.13 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$9.282 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-12.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

22.8% (31 December 2012 est.) 18.2% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-4.778 billion (2012 est.) $-3.504 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$12.64 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.29 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.4 (2005-06) 40.7 (1999)

Economy - overview

Ghana's economy has been strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels. Ghana is well-endowed with natural resources and agriculture accounts for roughly one-quarter of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. The services sector accounts for 50% 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. President MAHAMA faces challenges in managing new oil revenue while maintaining fiscal discipline and resisting debt accumulation. 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 higher prices for oil, gold and, cocoa helped sustain high GDP growth in 2008-12, despite the general slowdown in the global economy during that same time period.

Exchange rates

cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.8 (2012 est.) 1.51 (2011 est.) 1.43 (2010 est.) 1.41 (2009) 1.1 (2008)

Exports

$13.54 billion (2012 est.) $12.79 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticultural products

Exports - partners

France 13.6%, Italy 12.4%, Netherlands 8.9%, China 7.4%, Germany 4.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

60.9% 13.6% 29% 6.9% 45.9% -56.2% (2011)

exports of goods and services

45.9%

government consumption

13.6%

household consumption

60.9%

imports of goods and services

-56.2%

investment in fixed capital

29%

investment in inventories

6.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

22.7% 27.3% 50% (2012 est.)

agriculture

22.7%

industry

27.3%

services

50% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,300 (2012 est.) $3,200 (2011 est.) $2,800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.9% (2012 est.) 15% (2011 est.) 8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$39.89 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$82.65 billion (2012 est.) $76.59 billion (2011 est.) $66.6 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

17.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 17.5% of GDP (2011 est.) 17.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 32.8% (2006)

highest 10%

32.8% (2006)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$17.76 billion (2012 est.) $15.84 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 25.6%, Nigeria 11%, US 7%, Netherlands 6.2%, Singapore 4.5%, UK 4.1%, India 4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.2% (2012 est.) 8.7% (2011 est.)

Labor force

11.79 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

56% 15% 29% (2005 est.)

agriculture

56%

industry

15%

services

29% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.097 billion (31 December 2011) $3.531 billion (31 December 2010) $2.508 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

28.5% (2007 est.)

Public debt

50% of GDP (2012 est.) 41.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.705 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.805 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$11.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.79 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$12.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.153 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.925 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2000 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.005 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

32,060 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

79,630 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

660 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

5.311 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.036 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

40.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

59.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

106 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.985 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

8.213 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

120 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

830 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

50 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

61,590 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

9,977 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

37,240 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

22,130 bbl/day (2010 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

59,086 (2012)

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 80 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 80 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

285,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

25.618 million (2012)

Airports

10 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

3 (2013)

total

3

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 394 km; oil 20 km; refined products 361 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Takoradi, Tema

major seaport(s)

Takoradi, Tema

Railways

947 km 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

947 km

Roadways

109,515 km 13,787 km 95,728 km (2009)

total

109,515 km

unpaved

95,728 km (2009)

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 (2012)

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; must be HIV/AIDS negative (2012)

Disputes - international

disputed maritime border between Ghana and 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

5,156 (Liberia) (2012); 8,532 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

5,156 (Liberia) (2012); 8,532 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2013)