2016 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 won the 2008 presidential election and took over as head of state, but he died in July 2012 and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election.

Area

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

land

227,533 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

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Afadjato 885 m

mean elevation

190 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

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 2 00 W

Geography - note

Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake (manmade reservoir) by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi); the lake was created following the completion of the Akosombo Dam in 1965, which holds back the White Volta and Black Volta Rivers

Irrigated land

340 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,420 km Burkina Faso 602 km, Cote d'Ivoire 720 km, Togo 1,098 km

border countries (3)

Burkina Faso 602 km, Cote d'Ivoire 720 km, Togo 1,098 km

total

2,420 km

Land use

69.1% arable land 20.7%; permanent crops 11.9%; permanent pasture 36.5% 21.2% 9.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

69.1%

forest

21.2%

other

9.7% (2011 est.)

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

Age structure

38.2% (male 5,164,505/female 5,113,185) 18.66% (male 2,498,185/female 2,522,353) 34.05% (male 4,445,321/female 4,716,311) 4.91% (male 642,984/female 678,784) 4.19% (male 520,589/female 606,045) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

38.2% (male 5,164,505/female 5,113,185)

15-24 years

18.66% (male 2,498,185/female 2,522,353)

25-54 years

34.05% (male 4,445,321/female 4,716,311)

55-64 years

4.91% (male 642,984/female 678,784)

65 years and over

4.19% (male 520,589/female 606,045) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

30.8 births/1,000 population (2016 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

11% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

19.5% (2013)

Death rate

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Ghana has a young age structure, with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25. Its total fertility rate fell significantly during the 1980s and 1990s but has stalled at around four children per woman for the last few years. Fertility remains higher in the northern region than the Greater Accra region. On average, desired fertility has remained stable for several years; urban dwellers want fewer children than rural residents. Increased life expectancy, due to better health care, nutrition, and hygiene, and reduced fertility have increased Ghana’s share of elderly persons; Ghana’s proportion of persons aged 60+ is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty has declined in Ghana, but it remains pervasive in the northern region, which is susceptible to droughts and floods and has less access to transportation infrastructure, markets, fertile farming land, and industrial centers. The northern region also has lower school enrollment, higher illiteracy, and fewer opportunities for women. Ghana was a country of immigration in the early years after its 1957 independence, attracting labor migrants largely from Nigeria and other neighboring countries to mine minerals and harvest cocoa – immigrants composed about 12% of Ghana’s population in 1960. In the late 1960s, worsening economic and social conditions discouraged immigration, and hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mostly Nigerians, were expelled. During the 1970s, severe drought and an economic downturn transformed Ghana into a country of emigration; neighboring Cote d’Ivoire was the initial destination. Later, hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians migrated to Nigeria to work in its booming oil industry, but most were deported in 1983 and 1985 as oil prices plummeted. Many Ghanaians then turned to more distant destinations, including other parts of Africa, Europe, and North America, but the majority continued to migrate within West Africa. Since the 1990s, increased emigration of skilled Ghanaians, especially to the US and the UK, drained the country of its health care and education professionals. Internally, poverty and other developmental disparities continue to drive Ghanaians from the north to the south, particularly to its urban centers.

Dependency ratios

73% 67.2% 5.9% 17% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.9%

potential support ratio

17% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

73%

youth dependency ratio

67.2%

Drinking water source

urban: 92.6% of population rural: 84% of population total: 88.7% of population urban: 7.4% of population rural: 16% of population total: 11.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

16% of population

total

11.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

7.4% of population

Education expenditures

6% of GDP (2013)

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 1.1%, other 1.4% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

3.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.61% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

12,600 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

274,600 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

36.3 deaths/1,000 live births 40.2 deaths/1,000 live births 32.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

32.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

40.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

36.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Asante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron (Brong) 4.9%, Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.9%, Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1%, other 31.2% English is the official language (2010 est.)

note

English is the official language (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

66.6 years 64.1 years 69.1 years (2016 est.)

female

69.1 years (2016 est.)

male

64.1 years

total population

66.6 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 76.6% 82% 71.4% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

71.4% (2015 est.)

male

82%

total population

76.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

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

Kumasi 2.599 million; ACCRA (capital) 2.277 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

319 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

21 years 20.5 years 21.5 years (2016 est.)

female

21.5 years (2016 est.)

male

20.5 years

total

21 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.6 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)

Nationality

Ghanaian(s) Ghanaian

adjective

Ghanaian

noun

Ghanaian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10.9% (2014)

Physicians density

0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

26,908,262 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 (July 2016 est.)

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 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

2.18% (2016 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 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 20.2% of population rural: 8.6% of population total: 14.9% of population urban: 79.8% of population rural: 91.4% of population total: 85.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

91.4% of population

total

85.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

79.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 12 years 11 years (2014)

female

11 years (2014)

male

12 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.03 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.2% 10.2% 12% (2010 est.)

female

12% (2010 est.)

male

10.2%

total

11.2%

Urbanization

54% of total population (2015) 3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

54% of total population (2015)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993; amended 1996 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Ghana Ghana Gold Coast named for the medieval West African kingdom of the same name, but whose location was actually further north than the modern country

conventional long form

Republic of Ghana

conventional short form

Ghana

etymology

named for the medieval West African kingdom of the same name, but whose location was actually further north than the modern country

former

Gold Coast

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert P. JACKSON (since 4 February 2016) 24 Fourth Circular Rd., Cantonments, Accra P.O. Box 194, Accra [233] 030-274-1000 [233] 030-274-1389

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert P. JACKSON (since 4 February 2016)

embassy

24 Fourth Circular Rd., Cantonments, Accra

FAX

[233] 030-274-1389

mailing address

P.O. Box 194, Accra

telephone

[233] 030-274-1000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry SMITH (since September 2014) 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 Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry SMITH (since September 2014)

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 the presidency after the death of President John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both 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 the presidency after the death of President John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both chief of state and head of government Council of Ministers; nominated by the president, approved by Parliament president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 December 2012 (next to be held on 7 December 2016) John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 50.7%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (NPP) 47.7%, other 1.6%

cabinet

Council of Ministers; nominated by the president, approved 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 the presidency after the death of President John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

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

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 December 2012 (next to be held on 7 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 the presidency after the death of President John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both chief of state and head of government

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

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

Government type

presidential republic

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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, 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 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 7 - 8 December 2012 (next to be held on 7 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 150, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3, other 1

description

unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

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 150, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3, other 1

elections

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

National anthem

"God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" unknown/Philip GBEHO music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup

lyrics/music

unknown/Philip GBEHO

name

"God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"

note

music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

National symbol(s)

black star, golden eagle; national colors: red, yellow, green, black

black star, golden eagle; national colors

red, yellow, green, black

Political parties and leaders

Convention People's Party or CPP [Samia NKRUMAH] National Democratic Congress or NDC [John Dramani MAHAMA] New Patriotic Party or NPP [Nana AFUKO-ADDO] People's National Convention or PNC [Hassan AYARIGA] listed are four of the more popular political parties as of December 2012; there are more than 20 registered parties

note

listed are four of the more popular political parties as of December 2012; there are more than 20 registered parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian Aid (water rights) Committee for Joint Action or CJA (social and economic issues) 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 (social and economic issues)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$8.376 billion $10.92 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$10.92 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$8.376 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

21% (31 December 2014) 16% (31 December 2013)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

28.6% (31 December 2015 est.) 27% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.99 billion (2015 est.) -$3.698 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$19.15 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $17.61 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.3 (2012-13) 41.9 (2005-06)

Economy - overview

Ghana's economy was strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels, but in recent years has suffered the consequences of loose fiscal policy, high budget and current account deficits, and a depreciating currency. Ghana has a market-based economy with relatively few policy barriers to trade and investment in comparison with other countries in the region, and Ghana is well-endowed with natural resources. Agriculture accounts for nearly one-quarter of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. The services sector accounts for about half of GDP. Gold and cocoa exports, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. Expansion of Ghana’s nascent oil industry has boosted economic growth, but the recent oil price crash reduced by half Ghana’s 2015 oil revenue. Production at Jubilee, Ghana's offshore oilfield, began in mid-December 2010 and currently produces roughly 110,000 barrels per day. The country’s first gas processing plant at Atubao is also producing natural gas from the Jubilee field, providing power to several of Ghana’s thermal power plants. As of 2015, the biggest single economic issue facing Ghana is the lack of consistent electricity. While the MAHAMA administration is taking steps to improve the situation, little progress has been made. Ghana signed a $920 million extended credit facility with the IMF in April 2015 to help it address its growing economic crisis. The IMF fiscal targets will require Ghana to reduce the fiscal deficit by cutting subsidies, decreasing the bloated public sector wage bill, strengthening revenue administration, and increasing revenues. The challenge for Ghana will come as the MAHAMA Administration approaches the November 2016 elections, facing public dissatisfaction in the midst of economic austerity.

Exchange rates

cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 3.712 (2015 est.) 2.895 (2014 est.) 2.895 (2013 est.) 1.8 (2012 est.) 1.512 (2011 est.)

Exports

$10.36 billion (2015 est.) $13.22 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

India 25.2%, Switzerland 12.2%, China 10.6%, France 5.7% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

66.5% 19% 23.6% 1.6% 44.1% -54.8% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

44.1%

government consumption

19%

household consumption

66.5%

imports of goods and services

-54.8% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23.6%

investment in inventories

1.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

20.7% 27.7% 51.6% (2015 est.)

agriculture

20.7%

industry

27.7%

services

51.6% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,300 (2015 est.) $4,200 (2014 est.) $4,200 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2015 est.) 4% (2014 est.) 7.3% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$36.04 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$114.7 billion (2015 est.) $110.8 billion (2014 est.) $106.6 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

17% of GDP (2015 est.) 17.7% of GDP (2014 est.) 15.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 32.8% (2006)

highest 10%

32.8% (2006)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$13.47 billion (2015 est.) $14.6 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, refined petroleum, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 32.6%, Nigeria 14%, Netherlands 5.5%, US 5.4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

1.2% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

17.2% (2015 est.) 15.5% (2014 est.)

Labor force

11.7 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

44.7% 14.4% 40.9% (2013 est.)

agriculture

44.7%

industry

14.4%

services

40.9% (2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.465 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.097 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $3.531 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

24.2% (2013 est.)

Public debt

71.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 70.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.885 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $5.461 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $11.69 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$16.62 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $109 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$19.85 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $118 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$12.93 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $13.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.736 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $5.663 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.2% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

11 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

98,700 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

26,040 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

102,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

660 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

9.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

500 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

45.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

54.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

51 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.847 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

13 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

7,300,000 72% 92% 50% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

50% (2013)

electrification - total population

72%

electrification - urban areas

92%

population without electricity

7,300,000

Natural gas - consumption

650 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

600 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

50 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

83,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1,977 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

72,850 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

10,640 bbl/day (2013 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 users

6.181 million 23.5% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

23.5% (July 2015 est.)

total

6.181 million

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 130 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 (2015)

domestic

competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 130 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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

275,570 1 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

275,570

Telephones - mobile cellular

35.008 million 133 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

133 (July 2015 est.)

total

35.008 million

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9G (2016)

Merchant marine

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

by type

petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3

foreign-owned

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

total

4

National air transport system

390,457 844,630 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

844,630 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

390,457

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

8

number of registered air carriers

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 (2014)

narrow gauge

947 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

total

947 km

Roadways

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

paved

13,787 km

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)

Military branches

Ghana Army, Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force (2012)

Military expenditures

0.56% of GDP (2014) 0.61% of GDP (2013) 0.27% of GDP (2012)

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

11,419 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

11,419 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Ghana is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the trafficking of Ghanians, particularly children, internally is more common than the trafficking of foreign nationals; Ghanian children are subjected to forced labor in fishing, domestic service, street hawking, begging, portering, mining, quarrying, herding, and agriculture, with girls, and to a lesser extent boys, forced into prostitution; Ghanian women, sometimes lured with legitimate job offers, and girls are sex trafficked in West Africa, the Middle East, and Europe; Ghanian men fraudulently recruited for work in the Middle East are subjected to forced labor or prostitution, and a few Ghanian adults have been identified as victims of false labor in the US; women and girls from Vietnam, China, and neighboring West African countries are sex trafficked in Ghana; the country is also a transit point for sex trafficking from West Africa to Europe Tier 2 Watch List - Ghana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Ghana continued to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses but was unable to ramp up its anti-trafficking efforts in 2014 because the government failed to provide law enforcement or protection agencies with operating budgets; victim protection efforts decreased in 2014, with significantly fewer victims identified; most child victims were referred to NGO-run facilities, but care for adults was lacking because the government did not provide any support to the country’s Human Trafficking Fund for victim services or its two shelters; anti-trafficking prevention measures increased modestly, including reconvening of the Human Trafficking Management Board, public awareness campaigns on child labor and trafficking, and anti-trafficking TV and radio programs (2015)

current situation

Ghana is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the trafficking of Ghanians, particularly children, internally is more common than the trafficking of foreign nationals; Ghanian children are subjected to forced labor in fishing, domestic service, street hawking, begging, portering, mining, quarrying, herding, and agriculture, with girls, and to a lesser extent boys, forced into prostitution; Ghanian women, sometimes lured with legitimate job offers, and girls are sex trafficked in West Africa, the Middle East, and Europe; Ghanian men fraudulently recruited for work in the Middle East are subjected to forced labor or prostitution, and a few Ghanian adults have been identified as victims of false labor in the US; women and girls from Vietnam, China, and neighboring West African countries are sex trafficked in Ghana; the country is also a transit point for sex trafficking from West Africa to Europe

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Ghana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Ghana continued to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses but was unable to ramp up its anti-trafficking efforts in 2014 because the government failed to provide law enforcement or protection agencies with operating budgets; victim protection efforts decreased in 2014, with significantly fewer victims identified; most child victims were referred to NGO-run facilities, but care for adults was lacking because the government did not provide any support to the country’s Human Trafficking Fund for victim services or its two shelters; anti-trafficking prevention measures increased modestly, including reconvening of the Human Trafficking Management Board, public awareness campaigns on child labor and trafficking, and anti-trafficking TV and radio programs (2015)