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{{short description|Country in West Africa}}
{{about|the modern country of Ghana||Ghana (disambiguation)|and|Gana (disambiguation)}}
{{Coord|7|49|N|1|03|W|display=title}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name  = Republic of Ghana
|conventional_long_name  = Republic of Ghana
| common_name              = Ghana
|common_name              = Ghana
| image_flag              = Flag of Ghana.svg
|image_flag              = Flag of Ghana.svg
| image_coat              = Coat of arms of Ghana.svg
|image_coat              = Coat of arms of Ghana.svg
| national_motto          = "Freedom and Justice"
|image_map                = Ghana (orthographic projection).svg
| national_anthem          = "[[God Bless Our Homeland Ghana]]"<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|[[File:National Anthem of Ghana.ogg]]}}</div>
|map_caption              =
| image_map                = Ghana (orthographic projection).svg
|national_motto          = "Freedom and Justice"
| capital                  = [[Accra]]
|national_anthem          = God bless our homeland Ghana<br>"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emefa.myserver.org/Ghana.mp3|title=Emefa.myserver.org|accessdate=21 December 2010|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5nE3UoJ2x?url=http://www.emefa.myserver.org/Ghana.mp3|archivedate=2010-02-01|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| largest_city            = Accra
|official_languages      = [[English language|English]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|5|33|N|0|12|W|type:city}}
|languages                = [[Akan language|Akan]], [[Ewe language|Ewe]], [[Dagomba language|Dagomba]] (Dagbani), [[Adangme language|Dangme]], [[Dagaare]], [[Ga language|Ga]], [[Nzema language|Nzema]], [[Gonja language|Gonja]], [[Kasem language|Kasem]]<ref name="Ghana -Language and Religion"/>
| official_languages      = [[English language|English]]<ref name="The Ghanaian Government states that English is the official language">{{cite web|quote=English is the official language of Ghana and is universally used in schools in addition to nine other local languages. The most widely spoken local languages are Dagbanli, Ewe, Ga and Twi.|url=http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=language-and-religion|title=Language and Religion|publisher=Ghana Embassy|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301155437/https://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=language-and-religion|archive-date=1 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census">{{cite web|url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/Census2010_Summary_report_of_final_results.pdf|title=Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census|work=Government of Ghana|year=2010|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925192147/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/Census2010_Summary_report_of_final_results.pdf|archive-date=25 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|languages_type          = Government-sponsored<br> languages
| national_languages      = {{plainlist|class=nowrap|item_style=padding-left:0.5em|
|capital                  = [[Accra]]
 
|coordinates = {{Coord|5|33|N|0|12|W|type:city}}
*[[Dagaare language|Dagaare]]
|largest_city            = Accra
*[[Dagbani language|Dagbanli]]
|demonym                  = Ghanaian
*[[Dangme language|Dangme]]
|government_type          = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[constitutional republic]]
*[[Ewe language|Ewe]]
|leader_title1            = [[President of Ghana|President]]
*[[Frafra language|Frafra]]  
|leader_name1            = [[Nana Akufo-Addo]]
*[[Ga language|Ga]]
|leader_title2            = [[Vice President of Ghana|Vice President]]
*[[Gonja language|Gonja]]
|leader_name2            = [[Mahamudu Bawumia]]
*[[Nzema language|Nzema]]
|legislature              = [[Parliament of Ghana|Parliament]]
*[[Twi]]
|area_rank                = 80th
*[[Ghanaian Sign Language]]}}
|area_km2                = 239,567
| religion                = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap;
|area_sq_mi              = 92,098 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
  |71.2% [[Christianity]]
|percent_water            = 4.61
  |—46.7% [[Protestantism]]
| population_estimate                = 31,072,940<ref name=popest>{{cite web |title=2020 Population Projection by Sex, 2010–2020|publisher=Ghana Statistical Service |url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/pop_stats.html |accessdate=2 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424110616/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/pop_stats.html |archive-date=24 April 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
  |—13.1% [[Catholic Church in Ghana|Catholicism]]
| population_census                = 24,200,000<ref name=unpop>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4712:2010-provisional-census-results-out&catid=88:daily-news-summary&Itemid=236 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615141322/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4712%3A2010-provisional-census-results-out&catid=88%3Adaily-news-summary&Itemid=236 |archivedate=15 June 2011 |title=2010 Provisional Census Results Out |version=4 February 2011 |publisher=Population Division, Ghana Government |year=2010 |accessdate=7 February 2011 |author=Antoinette I. Mintah |url-status=dead }}</ref>
  |—11.4% Other [[List of Christian denominations|Christian]]
| population_estimate_year                = 2020
  |17.6% [[Islam in Ghana|Islam]]
| population_estimate_rank                = 47th
  |6.2% [[African traditional religion|Traditional faiths]]
| population_census_year                = 2010
  |4.1% [[Irreligion|No religion]]
| population_density_km2                = 101.5
  |0.9% [[Religion in Ghana|Other]]<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/ The World Factbook]</ref>}}
| population_density_sq_mi                = 258.8 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| ethnic_groups            = {{unbulleted list
| population_density_rank                = 103rd
|47.5% [[Akan people|Akans]]
| GDP_PPP                = $226&nbsp;billion<ref name=IMF>{{cite web |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2019&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=82&pr1.y=0&c=652&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |website=[[IMF]] |accessdate=29 February 2020 }}</ref>
|16.6% [[Mole-Dagbon people|Mole-Dagbon]]
| GDP_PPP_year                = 2020
|13.9% [[Ewe people|Ewe]]
| GDP_PPP_per_capita               = $7,343<ref name=IMF/>
|7.4% [[Ga-Adangbe people|Ga-Adangbe]]
| GDP_nominal                = $69.757&nbsp;billion<ref name=IMF/>
|5.9% [[Bassare]]
| GDP_nominal_year                = 2020
|5.7% [[Konkomba people|Konkomba]]
| GDP_nominal_per_capita                = $2,266<ref name=IMF/>
|3.7% [[Guang people|Guan]]
| Gini                = 42.4
|2.5% [[Gurunsi peoples|Gurunsi]]
| Gini_year                = 2012
|2.2% [[Kusasi people|Kusasi]]
| Gini_change                = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|1.1% [[Bissa people|Bissa]]
| Gini_ref                = <ref name="worldbank">{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=GH|title=GINI index (World Bank estimate)|publisher=[[World Bank]]|website=data.worldbank.org|accessdate=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020447/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=GH|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|1.4% [[Demographics of Ghana|Other]]}}
| ethnic_groups_year      = 2010<ref name="Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/People/Ethnic-groups|title=People > Ethnic groups: Countries Compared|publisher=NationMaster|access-date=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714100154/http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/People/Ethnic-groups|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demonym                  = Ghanaian
| government_type          = {{unbulleted list|style=whitespace:nowrap|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]]|[[Republic|constitutional republic]]}}
| leader_title1            = [[President of Ghana|President]]
| leader_name1            = [[Nana Akufo-Addo]]
| leader_title2            = [[Vice-President of Ghana|Vice-President]]
| leader_name2            = [[Mahamudu Bawumia]]
| leader_title3            =
[[Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana|Speaker of Parliament]]
| leader_name3            =
[[Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin]]
| leader_title4            =
[[Chief Justice of Ghana|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name4            =
[[Kwasi Anin-Yeboah]]
| legislature              = [[Parliament of Ghana|Parliament]]          | sovereignty_type        = [[History of Ghana|Independence]] {{nobold|from the [[United Kingdom]]}}
| established_event1      = [[Dominion of Ghana|Dominion]]
| established_date1        = 6 March 1957
| established_event2      = Republic
| established_date2        = 1 July 1960
| established_event3      = [[Constitution of Ghana|Current&nbsp;constitution]]
| established_date3        = 28 April 1992
| area_km2                = 239,567
| area_rank               = 80th
| area_sq_mi              = 92,099 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| percent_water            = 4.61 (11,000&nbsp;km; 4,247&nbsp;mi{{smallsup|2}})
| population_estimate      = 31,072,940<ref name=popest>{{cite web |title=2020 Population Projection by Sex, 2010–2020|publisher=Ghana Statistical Service |url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/pop_stats.html |access-date=2 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424110616/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/pop_stats.html |archive-date=24 April 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| population_census        = 24,200,000<ref name=unpop>{{cite web |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4712:2010-provisional-census-results-out&catid=88:daily-news-summary&Itemid=236 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615141322/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4712%3A2010-provisional-census-results-out&catid=88%3Adaily-news-summary&Itemid=236 |archive-date=15 June 2011 |title=2010 Provisional Census Results Out |version=4 February 2011 |publisher=Population Division, Ghana Government |year=2010 |access-date=7 February 2011 |first=Antoinette I. |last=Mintah |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2020
| population_estimate_rank = 47th
| population_census_year  = 2010
| population_density_km2  = 101.5
| population_density_sq_mi = 258.8 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| population_density_rank  = 103rd
| GDP_PPP                  = $226&nbsp;billion<ref name=IMF>{{cite web |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2019&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=82&pr1.y=0&c=652&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |website=[[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] |access-date=29 February 2020 }}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year            = 2020
| GDP_PPP_per_capita      = $8,343<ref name=IMF/>
| GDP_nominal              = $73.594 &nbsp;billion<ref name=IMF/>
| GDP_nominal_year        = 2020
| GDP_nominal_per_capita  = $2,374<ref name=IMF/>
| Gini                    = 43.5
| Gini_year                = 2016
| Gini_change              = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref                =<ref name="worldbank">{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=GH|title=GINI index (World Bank estimate)|publisher=[[World Bank]]|website=data.worldbank.org|access-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020447/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=GH|archive-date=25 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gini_rank                =  
| Gini_rank                =  
| HDI                     = 0.611
| HDI               = 0.596
| HDI_year                 = 2019
| HDI_year               = 2018
| HDI_change               = increase
| HDI_change               = increase
| HDI_ref                 =<ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2020.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2020|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 15, 2020}}</ref>
| HDI_ref               = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-index-ranking|title=Human Development Report 2019|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=10 December 2019|accessdate=10 December 2019|format=PDF|archive-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519100725/http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-index-ranking|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| HDI_rank        = 138th
| HDI_rank                = 142nd
| currency        = [[Ghanaian cedi|Cedi]]
|sovereignty_type        = [[Independence]]
| currency_code    = GHS
|sovereignty_note        = from the [[United Kingdom]]
| utc_offset      = {{sp}}
|established_event1      = Declared
| time_zone        = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
|established_date1        = 6 March 1957
| date_format      = dd/mm/yyyy <br> mm/dd/yyyy
|established_event2      = Republic
| drives_on        = [[Left- and right-hand traffic|right]]
|established_date2        = 1 July 1960
| calling_code    = [[Telephone numbers in Ghana|+233]]
|established_event3      = Current Constitution
| iso3166code      = GH
|established_date3        = 28 April 1992
| cctld            = [[.gh]]
|currency                = [[Ghana cedi]] (GH₵)
| today            =
|currency_code            = GHS
}}
|time_zone                = [[GMT]]
'''Ghana''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Ghana.ogg|ˈ|ɡ|ɑː|n|ə}}), officially the '''Republic of Ghana''', is a country in [[West Africa]]. It spans the [[Gulf of Guinea]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the south, sharing borders with the [[Ivory Coast]] in [[Ghana–Ivory Coast border|the west]], [[Burkina Faso]] in [[Burkina Faso–Ghana border|the north]], and [[Togo]] in [[Ghana–Togo border|the east]].<ref name="warriorking">Jackson, John G. (2001) ''Introduction to African Civilizations'', Citadel Press, p. 201, {{ISBN|0-8065-2189-9}}.</ref> Ghana covers an area of {{convert|238535|km2|abbr=on}}, spanning a diverse [[geography]] and [[ecology]] that ranges from coastal savannahs to [[Tropical rainforest|tropical rain forests]]. With over 31 million people, Ghana is the [[List of African countries by population|second-most populous country]] in West Africa, after [[Nigeria]]. The capital and [[List of cities in Ghana|largest city]] is [[Accra]]; other major cities include Kumasi, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi.
|utc_offset              = 0
 
|drives_on                = right
The first permanent state in present-day Ghana was the [[Bono state]] of the 11th century.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Meyerowitz|first=Eva L. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F3lyAAAAMAAJ|title=The Early History of the Akan States of Ghana|date=1975|publisher=Red Candle Press|isbn=9780608390352|language=en}}</ref> Numerous kingdoms and empires emerged over the centuries, of which the most powerful were the [[Kingdom of Dagbon]] in the north<ref>{{cite book |last1=Danver |first1=Steven L |title=Native Peoples of the World: An Encyclopedia of Groups, Cultures and Contemporary Issues |date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-46400-6 |pages=25 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vf4TBwAAQBAJ&q=Kingdom+of+Dagbon&pg=PA25}}</ref> and the [[Ashanti Empire]] in the south.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asante Kingdom|url=http://www.ascleiden.nl/content/webdossiers/asante-kingdom|publisher=[[Afrika-Studiecentrum, Leiden]]|access-date=8 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712214333/http://www.ascleiden.nl/content/webdossiers/asante-kingdom|archive-date=12 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning in the 15th century, the [[Portuguese Empire]], followed by numerous other European powers, contested the area for trading rights, until the [[British Empire|British]] ultimately established control of the coast by the late 19th century. Following over a century of native resistance, Ghana's current borders took shape, encompassing four separate British colonial territories: [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]], [[Ashanti (Crown Colony)|Ashanti]], the [[Northern Territories of the Gold Coast (British protectorate)|Northern Territories]] and [[British Togoland]]. These were unified as an independent [[dominion]] within the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] on 6 March 1957, becoming the first colony in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve sovereignty.<ref name="Universal Newsreel">{{cite video|year=1957|title=Video: A New Nation: Gold Coast becomes Ghana In Ceremony, 1957/03/07 (1957)|url=https://archive.org/details/1957-03-07_A_New_Nation|publisher=[[Universal Newsreel]]|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128113959/http://archive.org/details/1957-03-07_A_New_Nation|archive-date=28 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="First For Sub-Saharan Africa">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/14chapter3.shtml|title=First For Sub-Saharan Africa|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101135716/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/14chapter3.shtml|archive-date=1 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Exploring Africa – Decolinization">{{cite web|url=http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/images/decolinization.jpg |title=Exploring Africa – Decolonization |publisher=exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602212136/http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/images/decolinization.jpg |archive-date=2 June 2013 }}</ref> Ghana subsequently became influential in [[Decolonisation of Africa|decolonisation efforts]] and the [[Pan-Africanism|Pan-African movement]].<ref name="Ateku">{{Cite web|last=Ateku|first=Abdul-Jalilu|title=Ghana is 60: An African success story with tough challenges ahead|url=http://theconversation.com/ghana-is-60-an-african-success-story-with-tough-challenges-ahead-74049|access-date=2021-06-27|website=The Conversation|language=en}}</ref>
|cctld                    = [[.gh]]
 
|calling_code            = [[Telephone numbers in Ghana|+233]]
Ghana is  a [[multinational state]], home to a variety of ethnic, linguistic and religious groups;<ref name=popest/> while the [[Akan people|Akan]] are the largest ethnic group, they constitute only a plurality. The vast majority of [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaians]] are [[Christians|Christian]] (71.2%), with close to a fifth being [[Muslims|Muslim]] and a tenth practising traditional faiths or reporting no religion.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/National_Analytical_Report.pdf|title=2010 Population & Housing Census: National Analytical Report|publisher=Ghana Statistical Service|page=63|year=2013|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712212518/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/National_Analytical_Report.pdf|archive-date=12 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ghana is a [[Unitary state|unitary]] [[Liberal democracy|constitutional democracy]] led by a president who is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]].<ref name="Ghana: CIA World FactBook">{{cite web|last1=CIA World FactBook|title=Ghana|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/|website=CIA World FactBook|publisher=CIA World FactBook|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> Since 1993, it has maintained one of the freest and most stable governments on the continent, and performs relatively well in metrics of healthcare, economic growth, and human development.<ref name="Ateku"/> Ghana consequently enjoys significant influence in West Africa,<ref name="South America and West Africa"/> and is highly integrated in international affairs, being a member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]], the [[African Union]], the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS), the [[Group of 24]] (G24) and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.state.gov/md2860.htm|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|title=Ghana-US relations|date=13 February 2013|access-date=1 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405184830/http://m.state.gov/md2860.htm|archive-date=5 April 2013}}</ref>
 
==Etymology==<!--linked-->
The [[etymology]] of the name ''Ghana'' means "[[warriors|Strong Warrior]] King" and was the title accorded to the kings of the medieval [[Ghana Empire]] in [[West Africa]], not to be confused with today's Ghana, as the empire was further north in modern-day [[Republic of Mali]], [[Senegal]], southern [[Mauritania]], as well as in [[Guinea (region)|the region of Guinea]].<ref name="etymology">{{cite web|title=Etymology of Ghana|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Ghana|publisher=Douglas Harper|access-date=12 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104100547/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Ghana|archive-date=4 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana was known for its large Gold usage, and hence was named the ''Land of Gold''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghana: Land of Gold|url=https://online.kidsdiscover.com/unit/african-kingdom/topic/ghana-land-of-gold|access-date=2020-10-03|website=Kids Discover Online}}</ref> by the [[Arabs]] during the [[Trans-Saharan trade]]<nowiki/>s.
 
==History==
[[File:Akan face.jpg|thumb|left|upright|16th-century [[Akan people|Akan]] Terracotta, [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]]]
[[File:Guinea from Milner's Atlas.jpg|thumb|An 1850 map showing the [[Akan people|Akan]] [[Kingdom of Ashanti]] within the [[Guinea (region)|Guinea region]] and surrounding regions in West Africa]]
[[File:Lidded Vessel (Kuduo) MET DP108293.jpg|thumb|18th-century Ashanti brass ''kuduo''. Gold dust and nuggets were kept in ''kuduo'', as were other items of personal value and significance. As receptacles for their owners' ''kra'', or life force, ''kuduo'' were prominent features of ceremonies designed to honour and protect that individual.]]
{{Main|History of Ghana}}
 
===Medieval kingdoms===
{{Main|Ashanti Empire|Kingdom of Dagbon}}
 
Most of what is now Ghana was inhabited in the [[Middle Ages]] and the [[Age of Discovery]] by local tribes.
 
The earliest known kingdoms to emerge in modern Ghana were the [[Oti–Volta languages|Mole-Dagbani]] states.<ref name=col/> The Mole-Dagomba came on horseback from present-day [[Burkina Faso]] under a single leader, [[Na Gbewa|Naa Gbewaa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.ghananation.com/articles/ghana-history/3017-invasion-of-the-peoples-of-the-north.html|title=Invasion of the Peoples of the North|publisher=GhanaNation|date=15 November 2011|access-date=22 June 2014|first=Jessica|last=W|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708222407/http://articles.ghananation.com/articles/ghana-history/3017-invasion-of-the-peoples-of-the-north.html|archive-date=8 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> With their advanced weapons and based on a central authority, they easily invaded and occupied the lands of the local people ruled by the ''Tendamba'' (land god priests), established themselves as the rulers over the locals, and made [[Gambaga]] their capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.ghananation.com/feed/articles/ghana-articles/3093-dagomba.txt|title=Ghana Articles: Dagomba|publisher=GhanaNation.com|date=19 November 2011|access-date=22 August 2014|author=Curtis M.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019101858/http://articles.ghananation.com/feed/articles/ghana-articles/3093-dagomba.txt|archive-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> The death of Naa Gbewaa caused civil war among his children, some of whom broke off and founded separate states including [[Dagomba people|Dagbon]], [[Mamprusi people|Mamprugu]], [[Mossi Kingdoms|Mossi]], [[Nanumba people|Nanumba]] and [[Wala people|Wala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bristoldrumming.com/ghanagoods/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=67|title=Dagomba: Background|publisher=BristolDrumming|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121340/http://www.bristoldrumming.com/ghanagoods/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=67|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/mamprusi|title=Mamprusi|publisher=Sim.org|access-date=22 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714184651/http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/mamprusi|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>
 
Although the area of present-day Ghana in [[West Africa]] has experienced many population movements, the [[Akan people|Akan]] speaking peoples began to move into it toward the end of the 15th Century.<ref name="col">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/pre-colonial.php|title=Pre-Colonial Period|publisher=Ghanaweb.com|access-date=13 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123235900/http://ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/pre-colonial.php|archive-date=23 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pdmhs.com/PDFs/ScannedBulletinArticles/Bulletin%2013-4%20-%20Pre-European%20Gold%20Mining%20at%20Ashanti,%20Ghana.pdf|title=Pre-European Mining at Ashanti, Ghana|type=PDF|publisher=Pdmhs.com|date=October 1996|access-date=24 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122214748/http://www.pdmhs.com/PDFs/ScannedBulletinArticles/Bulletin%2013-4%20-%20Pre-European%20Gold%20Mining%20at%20Ashanti,%20Ghana.pdf|archive-date=22 November 2014}}</ref> By the early sixteenth century, the Akans were firmly established in the Akan state called [[Bonoman]], for which the [[Brong-Ahafo Region]] is named.<ref name=col/><ref>{{cite book|author1=Tvedten, Ige|author2=Hersoug, Bjørn|title=Fishing for Development: Small Scale Fisheries in Africa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Itt1hIbsbQsC&pg=PA60|year=1992|publisher=Nordic Africa Institute|isbn=978-91-7106-327-4|pages=60–|access-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912143828/https://books.google.com/books?id=Itt1hIbsbQsC&pg=PA60|archive-date=12 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
From the 13th century, Akans emerged from what is believed to have been the Bonoman area, to create several Akan states, mainly based on gold trading.<ref>The Techiman-Bono of Ghana: an ethnography of an Akan society Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co., 1975</ref> These states included Bonoman ([[Brong-Ahafo Region]]), Ashanti ([[Ashanti Region]]), [[Denkyira]] ([[Central Region, Ghana|Western North region]]), [[Mankessim Kingdom]] ([[Western Region, Ghana|Central region]]), and [[Akwamu]] [[Eastern Region, Ghana|(Eastern region)]].<ref name=col/> By the 19th century, the territory of the southern part of Ghana was included in the [[Ashanti Empire|Kingdom of Ashanti]], one of the influential states in sub-saharan Africa prior to the onset of colonialism.<ref name=col/>
 
The government of the Ashanti Empire operated first as a loose network, and eventually as a centralised kingdom with an advanced, highly specialised bureaucracy centred in the capital city of [[Kumasi]].<ref name=col/> Prior to Akan contact with Europeans, the Akan people created an advanced economy based on principally gold and [[gold bar]] [[Commodity|commodities]] then traded with the states of Africa.<ref name=col/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rubens.anu.edu.au/htdocs/surveys/african/ashanti/history.html|title=A Short History of Ashanti Gold Weights|publisher=Rubens.anu.edu.au|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902030803/http://rubens.anu.edu.au/htdocs/surveys/african/ashanti/history.html|archive-date=2 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
===European contact (15th century)===
{{Main|Gold Coast (region)|Portuguese Gold Coast|Dutch Gold Coast|Dutch Slave Coast|Swedish Gold Coast|Danish Gold Coast|Brandenburger Gold Coast|Gold Coast (British colony)}}
[[File:Elmina_slave_castle.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] established the [[Portuguese Gold Coast]] with the construction of [[Elmina Castle]] (''Castelo da Mina'') by [[Diogo de Azambuja]] in 1482, making it the oldest [[Portuguese colonial architecture|European building]] in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]].]]
Akan trade with European states began after contact with the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] in the 15th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome/ashanti/ashanti.asp?menu_id=6&sub_menu_id=67&gender=&s=a|title=History of the Ashanti People|publisher=Modern Ghana|access-date=9 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731222849/http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome/ashanti/ashanti.asp?menu_id=6&sub_menu_id=67&gender=&s=a|archive-date=31 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Early European contact by the [[Portuguese people]], who came to the [[Gold Coast (region)|Gold Coast region]] in the 15th century to trade and then established the [[Portuguese Gold Coast]] (Costa do Ouro), focused on the extensive availability of gold.<ref name="History"/> The Portuguese built a trading lodge at a coastal settlement called Anomansah (the perpetual drink) which they renamed [[Elmina|São Jorge da Mina]].<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.tonyxworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=38|title=History of Ghana|publisher=TonyX|access-date=20 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501201014/http://www.tonyxworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=38|archive-date=1 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
In 1481, King [[John II of Portugal]] commissioned [[Diogo de Azambuja]] to build the [[Elmina Castle]], which was completed in three years.<ref name="History"/> By 1598, the [[Dutch people|Dutch]] had joined the Portuguese in the gold trade, establishing the [[Dutch Gold Coast]] (Nederlandse Bezittingen ter Kuste van Guinea) and building forts at [[Fort Komenda]] and Kormantsi.<ref name="Ghana book">{{cite book|last=Levy|first=Patricia|author2=Wong, Winnie|title=Ghana|url=https://archive.org/details/ghana0000levy|url-access=registration|publisher=[[Marshall Cavendish]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/ghana0000levy/page/24 24]|year=2010|isbn=978-0-7614-4847-1}}</ref> In 1617, the Dutch captured the Olnini Castle from the Portuguese, and [[Axim]] in 1642 ([[Fort Saint Anthony|Fort St Anthony]]).<ref name="Ghana book"/>
 
Other European traders had joined in gold trading by the mid-17th century, most notably the [[Swedes]], establishing the [[Swedish Gold Coast]] (Svenska Guldkusten), and [[Denmark-Norway]], establishing the [[Danish Gold Coast]] (Danske Guldkyst ''or'' Dansk Guinea).<ref name="History of Ghana"/> [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] merchants, impressed with the gold resources in the area, named it ''Costa do Ouro'' or ''Gold Coast''.<ref name="History of Ghana">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/|title=History of Ghana|publisher=ghanaweb.com|access-date=10 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215170543/http://ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/|archive-date=15 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also beginning in the 17th century – in addition to the gold trade – Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French traders also participated in the [[Atlantic slave trade]] in this area.<ref name="Emmer">{{cite book|last=Emmer|first=Pieter C.|edition=1st|series=Variorum Collected Studies (Book 614)|title=The Dutch in the Atlantic Economy, 1580–1880: Trade, Slavery, and Emancipation (Variorum Collected Studies)|page=17|publisher=Routledge|location=Abingdon-on-Thames|year=2018|isbn=978-0-86078-697-9}}</ref>
 
[[File:British_Ransack_Fomena_Palace.png|thumb|During [[Anglo-Ashanti Wars]] British troops ransacking a [[Fomena]] chief's palace en route to Kumasi in 1874]]
More than thirty forts and castles were built by the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], Swedish, [[Denmark–Norway|Dano-Norwegians]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]] and German merchants; the latter [[Germans]] establishing the [[Brandenburger Gold Coast|German Gold Coast]] (Brandenburger Gold Coast ''or'' Groß Friedrichsburg).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2008/09/20080915145840dmslahrellek0.5556452.html|title=Bush Praises Strong Leadership of Ghanaian President Kufuor|work=iipdigital.usembassy.gov|date=15 September 2008|access-date=26 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220141/http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2008/09/20080915145840dmslahrellek0.5556452.html|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1874 Great Britain established control over some parts of the country, assigning these areas the status of [[British Gold Coast]].<ref name="colestablish">MacLean, Iain (2001) ''Rational Choice and British Politics: An Analysis of Rhetoric and Manipulation from Peel to Blair'', p. 76, {{ISBN|0-19-829529-4}}.</ref> Many [[Engagement (military)|military engagements]] occurred between the British colonial powers and the various Akan nation-states. The Akan [[Kingdom of Ashanti]] defeated the British a few times in the 100-year-long [[Anglo-Ashanti wars]] but eventually lost with the [[War of the Golden Stool]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite book|author=Puri, Jyoti|title=Encountering Nationalism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tEL4ToU8JSQC&pg=PA76|year=2008|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-0-470-77672-8|pages=76–|access-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915131854/https://books.google.com/books?id=tEL4ToU8JSQC&pg=PA76|archive-date=15 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Chronology of world history">Chronology of world history:
a calendar of principal events from 3000 BC to AD 1973, Part 1973, Rowman & Littlefield, 1975, {{ISBN|0-87471-765-5}}.</ref><ref>[https://www.webcitation.org/5kwpwoVQ8?url=http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580620_3/Ashanti_Kingdom.html Ashanti Kingdom], Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009, Archived 31 October 2009.</ref>
 
===Transition to independence===
[[File:Kwame Nkrumah (JFKWHP-AR6409-A).jpg|alt=Kwame Nkrumah|thumb|upright|[[Kwame Nkrumah]], first President of Ghana]]
{{See also|Dominion of Ghana|Ghana Independence Act 1957}}
{{Multiple images
|image1=Ghana Independence overprint on Gold Coast 1s stamp 1957.jpg
|caption1=A postage stamp of Gold Coast overprinted for Ghanaian independence in 1957
|image2=Ghana (1957-03-07 A New Nation).ogg|thumbtime=0:55
|caption2=Celebrations marking Ghana's independence on 6 March 1957
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In 1947, the newly formed [[United Gold Coast Convention]] (UGCC) led by [[The Big Six (Ghana)|"The Big Six"]] called for "self-government within the shortest possible time" following the [[Gold Coast legislative election, 1946]].<ref name="History of Ghana"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Gocking, Roger|title=The History of Ghana|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofghana00gock|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-31894-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyofghana00gock/page/92 92]–|access-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> [[Kwame Nkrumah]], a Ghanaian nationalist who led Ghana from 1957 to 1966 as the country's first [[Prime Minister of Ghana|Prime Minister]] and [[President of Ghana|President]], formed the [[Convention People's Party]] (CPP) in 1949 with the motto "self-government now".<ref name="History of Ghana"/> The party initiated a "positive action" campaign involving non-violent protests, strikes and non-cooperation with the British authorities. Nkrumah was arrested and sentenced to one year imprisonment during this time. In the Gold Coast's [[Gold Coast legislative election, 1951|February 1951 general election]], he was elected to Parliament and released from prison to become leader of government business.<ref name="History of Ghana"/> He became Prime Minister of the Gold Coast in 1952. He improved the infrastructure of the country and his Africanisation policies created better career opportunities for Ghanaians.
 
On 6 March 1957 at 12&nbsp;midnight, the [[Gold Coast (region)|Gold Coast]], [[Ashanti (Crown Colony)|Ashanti]], the [[Northern Territories of the Gold Coast (British protectorate)|Northern Territories]] and [[British Togoland]] were unified as one single independent dominion within the [[British Commonwealth]] under the name Ghana. This was done under the [[Ghana Independence Act 1957]]. The current [[flag of Ghana]], consisting of the colours red, gold, green, and a black star, dates back to this unification.<ref name="Ghana flag and description"/> It was designed by [[Theodosia Salome Okoh]]; the red represents the blood that was shed towards independence, the gold represents the [[industrial mineral]]s wealth of Ghana, the green symbolises the rich [[grassland]]s of Ghana, and the black star is the symbol of the Ghanaian people and African emancipation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/republic/flag.php|title=Ghana Flag|publisher=Ghanaweb.com|access-date=26 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922181215/http://ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/republic/flag.php|archive-date=22 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
On 1 July 1960, following the [[Ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1960|Ghanaian constitutional referendum]] and [[Ghanaian presidential election, 1960|Ghanaian presidential election]], Nkrumah declared Ghana as a republic and assumed the presidency.<ref name="Universal Newsreel"/><ref name="First For Sub-Saharan Africa"/><ref name="Exploring Africa – Decolinization"/><ref name="History of Ghana"/> 6 March is the nation's [[Independence Day (Ghana)|Independence Day]] and 1 July is now celebrated as [[Republic Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.africa.com/5-things-know-ghana-independence-day/|title=5 Things To Know About Ghana's Independence Day|website=Africa.com|access-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225301/https://www.africa.com/5-things-know-ghana-independence-day/|archive-date=10 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/What-is-Republic-Day-in-Ghana-615882 |title=What is Republic Day in Ghana? |last=Oquaye |first=Mike |date=10 January 2018 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629211559/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/What-is-Republic-Day-in-Ghana-615882 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
 
At the time of independence Nkrumah declared, "My first objective is to abolish from Ghana poverty, ignorance, and disease. We shall measure our progress by the improvement in the health of our people; by the number of children in school, and by the quality of their education; by the availability of water and electricity in our towns and villages; and by the happiness which our people take in being able to manage their own affairs. The welfare of our people is our chief pride, and it is by this that the 5 will ask to be judged.".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana: Problems and Progress |url=https://leonardkenworthy.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/1959-ghana-problems-and-progress.pdf |access-date=27 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428094412/https://leonardkenworthy.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/1959-ghana-problems-and-progress.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
 
Nkrumah was the first African head of state to promote the concept of [[Pan-Africanism]], which he had been introduced to during his studies at [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]], Pennsylvania in the United States, at the time when [[Marcus Garvey]] was becoming famous for his "Back to Africa Movement".<ref name="History of Ghana"/> Nkrumah merged the teachings of Garvey, [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] and the naturalised [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian]] scholar [[W. E. B. Du Bois]] into the formation of 1960s Ghana.<ref name="History of Ghana"/>
 
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as he became known, played an instrumental part in the founding of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]], and in establishing the [[Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute]] to teach his ideologies of [[communism]] and [[socialism]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Of Nkrumah's Political Ideologies: Communism, Socialism, Nkrumaism|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=110817|publisher=Ghana Web|date=20 September 2006|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725015602/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=110817|archive-date=25 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> His life achievements were recognised by Ghanaians during his centenary birthday celebration, and the day was instituted as a [[Public holidays in Ghana|public holiday in Ghana]] ([[Founder's Day (Ghana)|Founder's Day]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=When it was made a Holiday|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/419363/1/founders-day-to-be-placed-on-ghanas-holiday-calend.html|publisher=Modern Ghana|date=22 September 2012|access-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925093111/http://www.modernghana.com/news/419363/1/founders-day-to-be-placed-on-ghanas-holiday-calend.html|archive-date=25 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
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===Operation Cold Chop and aftermath===
{{Main|History of Ghana (1966–79)}}
The government of Nkrumah was subsequently overthrown by a coup by the [[Ghana Armed Forces]] codenamed "Operation Cold Chop". This occurred while Nkrumah was abroad with [[Zhou Enlai]] in the People's Republic of China, on a fruitless mission to [[Hanoi]] in Vietnam to help end the [[Vietnam War]]. The coup took place on 24 February 1966, led by Col. [[Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka]]. The [[National Liberation Council]] (NLC) was formed, chaired by Lt. General [[Joseph A. Ankrah]].<ref name="political & social thought of Kwame Nkrumah">{{cite web|url=http://libyadiary.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/pdf-2011-the-political-and-social-thought-of-kwame-nkrumah.pdf|title=The political and social thought of Kwame Nkrumah|year=2011|access-date=28 April 2014|work=Libyadiary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429052034/http://libyadiary.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/pdf-2011-the-political-and-social-thought-of-kwame-nkrumah.pdf|archive-date=29 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
A series of alternating military and civilian governments, often affected by economic instabilities,<ref>{{Cite book|title=A Country Study: Ghana|last=David|first=Owusu-Ansah|publisher=La Verle Berry|year=1994}}</ref> ruled Ghana from 1966 to 1981, ending with the ascension to power of [[Flight Lieutenant]] [[Jerry Rawlings|Jerry John Rawlings]] of the [[Provisional National Defence Council]] (PNDC) in 1981.<ref name="Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings (J.J Rawlings)">{{cite news|url=http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/424/|title=Ghana: Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings (J.J Rawlings)|work=[[Africa Confidential]]|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191244/http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/424/|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> These changes resulted in the suspension of the [[Constitution of Ghana]] in 1981, and the banning of [[political parties in Ghana]].<ref name="Rawlings: The legacy">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1050310.stm|title=Rawlings: The legacy|work=BBC News|date=1 December 2000|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828010357/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1050310.stm|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The economy soon declined, so Rawlings negotiated a structural adjustment plan changing many old economic policies, and economic growth soon recovered during the mid-1980s.<ref name="Rawlings: The legacy"/> A new [[Constitution of Ghana]] restoring [[multi-party system]] politics was promulgated in [[Ghanaian presidential election, 1992]]; Rawlings was elected as president of Ghana then, and again in [[Ghanaian general election, 1996]].<ref name="Elections in Ghana"/>
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===21st century===
[[File:Kpetoee.jpg|thumb|Traditional [[Chieftaincy|chiefs]] in Ghana in 2015]]
Winning the [[Ghanaian general election, 2000|2000 Ghanaian elections]], [[John Kufuor|John Agyekum Kufuor]] of the [[New Patriotic Party]] (NPP) was sworn into office as president of Ghana on 7 January 2001, and attained the presidency again in the [[Ghanaian general election, 2004|2004 Ghanaian elections]], thus also serving two [[term of office|terms]] (the [[term limit]]) as president of Ghana and thus marking the first time under the fourth republic that power was transferred from one legitimately elected [[head of state]] and [[head of government]] to another.<ref name="Elections in Ghana"/>
 
Nana Akufo-Addo, the ruling party candidate, was defeated in a very close election by [[John Atta Mills]] of the [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] (NDC) following the [[Ghanaian presidential election, 2008]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kokutse|first=Francis|title=Opposition leader wins presidency in Ghana|agency=Associated Press|date=3 January 2009|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-01-03-ghana-election_N.htm|work=USA Today|access-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209072058/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-01-03-ghana-election_N.htm|archive-date=9 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, "The 2008 Freedom House Survey: Another Step Forward for Ghana." ''Journal of Democracy'' 20.2 (2009): 138–152 [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/262756/summary excerpt].</ref> Mills died of natural causes and was succeeded by vice-president [[John Dramani Mahama]] on 24 July 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Atta Mills dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/world/africa/john-atta-mills-ghanas-president-dies-68.html|work=The New York Times|date=25 July 2012|access-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709161829/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/world/africa/john-atta-mills-ghanas-president-dies-68.html|archive-date=9 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Following the [[Ghanaian presidential election, 2012]], [[John Mahama|John Dramani Mahama]] became President-elect and was inaugurated on 7 January 2013.<ref name="Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama sworn in">{{cite news|url=http://english.sina.com/world/p/2013/0107/545991.html|title=Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama sworn in|publisher=[[Sina Corp]]|date=7 January 2013|access-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011622/http://english.sina.com/world/p/2013/0107/545991.html|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana was a stable democracy.<ref name="Elections in Ghana">{{cite web|title=Elections in Ghana|url=http://africanelections.tripod.com/gh.html|work=Africanelections.tripod.com|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530060759/http://africanelections.tripod.com/gh.html|archive-date=30 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
As a result of the [[Ghanaian presidential election, 2016]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yen.com.gh/85240-what-world-media-ghanas-2016-elections.html#85240|title=What the world media is saying about Ghana's 2016 elections – YEN.COM.GH|date=7 December 2016|work=yen.com.gh|access-date=7 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208122522/https://yen.com.gh/85240-what-world-media-ghanas-2016-elections.html#85240|archive-date=8 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] became President-elect and was inaugurated as the fifth President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and eighth President of Ghana on 7 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=2016 Presidential Results|url=http://www.thumbsapp.com.gh/|website=Ghana Electoral Commission|publisher=Ghana Electoral Commission|access-date=18 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519211542/http://www.thumbsapp.com.gh/|archive-date=19 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo was re-elected after a tightly contested [[2020 Ghanaian general election|election]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55236356 |title=Ghana election: Nana Akufo-Addo re-elected as president |work=BBC News |date=9 December 2020 |access-date=21 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==Geography and geology==
{{Main|Geography of Ghana|Geology of Ghana}}
{{ multiple images
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|image1=Ghana Topography.png
|caption1 =Ghana-Togo [[topography]]−[[topographic map]]
|image2=Ghana sat.png
|caption2=Ghana [[Satellite imagery|satellite image]] from [[outer space]]
|total_width=330
}}
}}
'''Ghana''' (formerly the '''Gold Coast''') is a country in [[West Africa]]. Thirty-one million people live there; its capital is [[Accra]]. It is in Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between [[Côte d'Ivoire]] and [[Togo]].


Ghana is located on the [[Gulf of Guinea]], only a few degrees north of the [[Equator]], therefore giving it a warm climate.<ref name="Geography Physical"/> Ghana spans an area of {{convert|238535|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, and has an Atlantic coastline that stretches {{convert|560|km|mi|abbr=off}} on the Gulf of Guinea in Atlantic Ocean to its south.<ref name="Geography Physical">{{cite web|url=http://www.photius.com/countries/ghana/geography/ghana_geography_physical_setting.html|title=Ghana: Geography Physical|publisher=photius.com|access-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060123/http://www.photius.com/countries/ghana/geography/ghana_geography_physical_setting.html|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.photius.com/countries/ghana/geography/ghana_geography_location_and_size.html|title=Ghana: Location and Size|publisher=photius.com|access-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060248/http://www.photius.com/countries/ghana/geography/ghana_geography_location_and_size.html|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> It lies between latitudes 4°45'N and 11°N, and longitudes 1°15'E and 3°15'W. The [[Prime Meridian]] passes through Ghana, specifically through the industrial [[port town]] of [[Tema]].<ref name="Geography Physical"/>
Since Ghana is near the [[Equator]], the climate is very warm and tropical. The eastern coastal belt is warm and comparatively dry. South west corner is hot and humid. The north is hot and dry. [[Lake Volta]] (the world’s largest artificial lake) extends through eastern Ghana.
Ghana is geographically closer to the "centre" of the Earth geographical coordinates than any other country; even though the notional centre, (0°, 0°) is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately {{convert|614|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} off the south-east coast of Ghana on the Gulf of Guinea.
 
[[Grassland]]s mixed with south coastal [[shrubland]]s and forests dominate Ghana, with forest extending northward from the south-west coast of Ghana on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean {{convert|320|km|mi|abbr=off}} and eastward for a maximum of about {{convert|270|km|mi|abbr=off}} with the [[Kingdom of Ashanti]] or the southern part of Ghana being a primary location for mining of [[industrial mineral]]s and timber.<ref name="Geography Physical"/> Ghana is home to five terrestrial ecoregions: [[Eastern Guinean forests]], [[Guinean forest-savanna mosaic]], [[West Sudanian savanna]], [[Central African mangroves]], and [[Guinean mangroves]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> It had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 4.53/10, ranking it 112nd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
Ghana encompasses [[plain]]s, [[waterfall]]s, low hills, rivers, [[Dodi Island]] and [[Bobowasi Island]] on the south Atlantic Ocean coast, and [[Lake Volta]], the world's largest artificial lake.<ref name="Ghana low plains">{{cite web|url=http://www.photius.com/countries/ghana/geography/ghana_geography_the_low_plains.html|title=Ghana low plains|publisher=photius.com|access-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060245/http://www.photius.com/countries/ghana/geography/ghana_geography_the_low_plains.html|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The northernmost part of Ghana is Pulmakong and the southernmost part of Ghana is [[Cape Three Points]].<ref name="Geography Physical"/>{{clear}}
 
===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Ghana}}
The [[climate]] of Ghana is [[tropical climate|tropical]], and there are two main seasons: the [[wet season]] and the [[dry season]].<ref name="UNDP Climate">{{cite web|url=http://ncsp.undp.org/document/undp-climate-change-country-profile-11|title=UNDP Climate Change Country Profile: Ghana|work=ncsp.undp.org|access-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055503/http://ncsp.undp.org/document/undp-climate-change-country-profile-11|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Excerpt|Climate change in Ghana|file=no|hat=no}}
 
==Government and politics==
{{Main|Government of Ghana}}
{{Further|Politics of Ghana}}
[[File:Ghana Parliament House – Ghana Supreme Court – Osu Castle.JPG|thumb| [[Parliament House of Ghana]], the Supreme Court of Ghana and [[Judiciary of Ghana]] buildings and [[Jubilee House]] is the [[presidential palace]].]]
[[File:Presidents of Ghana and of the 4th Republic of Ghana.JPG|thumb| First President of the Republic of Ghana [[Kwame Nkrumah|Nkrumah]] and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th presidents of the 4th Republic of Ghana [[Jerry Rawlings|Rawlings]]; [[John Kufuor|Kufuor]]; [[John Evans Atta Mills|Mills]] and [[John Dramani Mahama|Mahama]].]]
Ghana is a [[Unitary executive theory|unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[constitutional democracy]] with a parliamentary [[multi-party system]] that is dominated by two parties – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Ghana alternated between civilian and military governments until January 1993, when the military government gave way to the Fourth Republic of Ghana after [[Ghanaian presidential election, 1992|presidential]] and [[Ghanaian parliamentary election, 1992|parliamentary elections]] in late 1992. The 1992 [[constitution of Ghana]] divides powers among a [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Ghana Armed Forces]] ([[President of Ghana]]), parliament ([[Parliament of Ghana]]), cabinet ([[Cabinet of Ghana]]), council of state ([[Council of State (Ghana)|Ghanaian Council of State]]), and an independent judiciary ([[Judiciary of Ghana]]). The [[Government of Ghana]] is elected by [[universal suffrage]] after every four years.<ref name="cs">"Government and Politics". ''[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html A Country Study: Ghana] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120713070609/lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html |date=13 July 2012 }}'' (La Verle Berry, editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (November 1994). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]]. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html Lcweb2.loc.gov] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710004153/lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html |date=10 July 2012 }}.</ref>
 
[[Nana Akufo-Addo]] won the Presidency in the [[Ghanaian general election, 2016|Ghanaian general election]] held on 7 December 2016, defeating incumbent [[John Mahama]]. He was sworn in on 7 January 2017. He also won the 2020 election and was subsequently sworn in on 7 January 2021.
Presidents are limited to two four-year terms in office. The president can serve a second term only upon re-election. Ghana has never had a female president.
 
The 2012 [[Fragile States Index]] indicated that Ghana is ranked the 67th least fragile state in the world and the 5th least fragile state in Africa after [[Mauritius]], 2nd [[Seychelles]], 3rd [[Botswana]], and 4th South Africa. Ghana ranked 112th out of 177 countries on the index.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/failed_states_index_2012_interactive|title=Foreignpolicy.com – Failed States List 2012|year=2012|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528161748/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/failed_states_index_2012_interactive|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana ranked as the 64th least [[Corruption|corrupt]] and [[Political corruption|politically corrupt]] country in the world out of all 174 countries ranked and Ghana ranked as the 5th least corrupt and politically corrupt country in Africa out of 53 countries in the 2012 [[Corruption Perceptions Index|Transparency International Corruption Perception Index]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results|title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2012|publisher=[[Corruption Perceptions Index|Transparency International Corruption Perception Index]]|year=2012|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528032608/http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cddghana.org/documents/Curbing%20Corruption%20and%20Improving%20Economic%20Governance.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510115831/http://www.cddghana.org/documents/Curbing%20Corruption%20and%20Improving%20Economic%20Governance.pdf|archive-date=10 May 2008|title=Curbing Corruption and Improving Economic Governance: The Case of Ghana|publisher=Ghana Center for Democratic Development|access-date=1 June 2013|page=5|author=Agyeman-Duah, Baffour}}</ref> Ghana was ranked 7th in Africa out of 53 countries in the 2012 [[Ibrahim Index of African Governance]]. The Ibrahim Index is a comprehensive measure of African government, based on a number of different variables which reflect the success with which governments deliver essential political goods to its citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/interact/ |title=Mo Ibrahim Foundation – 2012 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) |publisher=Moibrahimfoundation.org |year=2012 |access-date=1 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530015728/http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/interact/ |archive-date=30 May 2013 }}</ref>
 
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Ghana}}
[[File:Kofi Annan at OYW.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kofi Annan]], Ghanaian diplomat and United Nations Secretary-General 1997–2006]]
 
Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to ideals of nonalignment and is a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Ghana favours international and regional political and economic co-operation, and is an active member of the United Nations and the African Union.<ref name="H. E. Mr. Ken Kanda">{{cite web|url=http://www.un.int/ghana/|title=Official page of Nations Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations|access-date=20 May 2012|date=20 September 2011|publisher=United Nations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501042954/http://www.un.int/ghana/|archive-date=1 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Ghana has a strong relationship with the United States. Three recent US presidents--[[Bill Clinton]], [[George W. Bush]], and [[Barack Obama]]—made diplomatic trips to Ghana. Many Ghanaian diplomats and politicians hold positions in international organisations, including Ghanaian diplomat and former [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Kofi Annan]], International Criminal Court Judge [[Akua Kuenyehia]], and former President [[Jerry Rawlings|Jerry John Rawlings]] and former President [[John Kufuor|John Agyekum Kufuor]], who both served as diplomats of the United Nations.<ref name=cs/>
 
In September 2010, Ghana's former President [[John Atta Mills]] visited China on an official visit. Mills and China's former President [[Hu Jintao]], marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, at the [[Great Hall of the People]] on 20 September 2010.<ref name="Hu Jintao-John Atta Mills">{{cite web|url=http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg/fzs/gjlb/2999/3001/t755583.htm|title=Hu Jintao Holds Talks with President of Ghana Mills|access-date=4 January 2012|date=20 September 2010|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627115536/http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg/fzs/gjlb/2999/3001/t755583.htm|archive-date=27 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> China reciprocated with an official visit in November 2011, by the Vice-Chairman of the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China]], [[Zhou Tienong]] who visited Ghana and met with Ghana's President [[John Dramani Mahama]].<ref name="Xinhua2011">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/12/c_122269189.htm|title=Visiting senior Chinese official lauds Ghana for political stability, national unity|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=12 November 2011|access-date=13 November 2011|author=Deng, Shasha|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909155705/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/12/c_122269189.htm|archive-date=9 September 2013}}</ref>
 
The [[Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran]] and the [[List of Presidents of Iran|6th]] [[President of Iran]], [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] met with the [[List of heads of state of Ghana|12th]] [[President of Ghana]], [[John Dramani Mahama]] on 16 April 2013 to hold discussions with President John Dramani Mahama on strengthening the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and also co–chair a bilateral meeting between Ghana and Iran at the Ghanaian [[presidential palace]] [[The Flagstaff House|Flagstaff House]].<ref name="Ahmadinejad">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22733605|title=Ahmadinejad: Iran's populist and pariah leaves the stage|access-date=10 May 2014|date=4 June 2013|publisher=BBCNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414120427/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22733605|archive-date=14 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ahmadinejad2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22193136|title=Iranian leader Ahmadinejad's West Africa tour defended|access-date=10 May 2014|date=17 April 2013|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922183829/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22193136|archive-date=22 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CPP welcomes President Ahmadinejad visit to Ghana">{{cite news|url=http://ghananewsagency.org/politics/cpp-welcomes-president-ahmadinejad-visit-to-ghana--59069|title=CPP welcomes President Ahmadinejad visit to Ghana|access-date=10 May 2014|date=18 April 2013|agency=[[Ghana News Agency]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215634/http://ghananewsagency.org/politics/cpp-welcomes-president-ahmadinejad-visit-to-ghana--59069|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana welcomed Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad">{{cite web|url=https://www.iafrica.tv/ghana-welcomed-irans-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad/ |title=Ghana welcomed Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |access-date=10 May 2014 |date=17 April 2013 |publisher=iafrica.tv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213620/https://www.iafrica.tv/ghana-welcomed-irans-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad/ |archive-date=12 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/information/press-release/637-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-to-visit-ghana|title=President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad To Visit Ghana|access-date=10 May 2014|year=2013|publisher=Government of Ghana|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929200634/http://ghana.gov.gh/index.php/information/press-release/637-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-to-visit-ghana|archive-date=29 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The [[Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana|Sustainable Development Goals in Ghana]] were integrated into Ghana's development agenda and the budget. The SDGs were said to have been implemented through the decentralized planning system. This allows stakeholders participations such as UN Agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, academia, and others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghana .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/ghana|access-date=2020-09-21|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref> The [[Sustainable Development Goals|SDGs]] are a global call to action to end poverty among others. The goals are 17 in number and the [[United Nations|UN]] and its partners in the country are working towards achieving them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sustainable Development Goals {{!}} United Nations in Ghana|url=https://ghana.un.org/en/sdgs|access-date=2020-09-21|website=ghana.un.org|language=en}}</ref>{{clear}} According to the president [[Nana Akufo-Addo]] of Ghana, Ghana was "the first [[sub-Saharan African]] country to achieve the goal of halving poverty, as contained in Goal 1 of the [[Millennium Development Goals]]"<ref>{{Cite news|title=SDGs implementation: Ghana will be a shinning example' – Akufo-Addo|language=en-gb|work=Graphic Online|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/sdgs-implementation-ghana-will-be-a-shinning-example-akufo-addo.html|access-date=2020-09-22}}</ref>
There are a number of [[United Nations|UN]] Entities in the country such as the [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[Global Compact for Migration|IOM]], [[UN-HABITAT]], [[UNAIDS]], [[United Nations Capital Development Fund|UNCDF]], [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]], [[UNESCO]], [[United Nations Population Fund|UNFPA]], [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|UNHCR]], [[United Nations Information Centres|UNIC]], [[UNICEF]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|UNODC]], [[United Nations Office for Project Services|UNOPS]], [[World Food Programme|WFP]] and [[World Health Organization|WHO]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contact Details {{!}} United Nations in Ghana|url=https://ghana.un.org/en/about/un-entities-in-country|access-date=2020-09-21|website=ghana.un.org|language=en}}</ref>
 
===Military===
{{Main|Ghana Armed Forces}}
 
[[File:Ghana Airforce Reccep Tayyip Erdogan Honor Guard at Flagstaff House.jpg|thumb|[[Turkish President]] [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] inspects [[Guard of honour|Honour Guards]] mounted by the [[Ghana Air Force]] at the [[Jubilee House]] the Presidential Palace of Ghana in [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] on 1 March 2016.]]
In 1957, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) consisted of its headquarters, support services, three battalions of infantry and a reconnaissance squadron with armoured vehicles.<ref name="Canada's Military Assistance">Kilford, Christopher R. (2010), [http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/1876/1/Kilford_Chris_R_200905_PhD.pdf ''The Other Cold War: Canada's Military Assistance to the Developing World 1945–75''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020150101/http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/1876/1/Kilford_Chris_R_200905_PhD.pdf |date=20 October 2013 }}, [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]], Ontario: Canadian Defence Academy Press, p. 138, {{ISBN|1-100-14338-6}}.</ref> Ghanaian Prime Minister and President Kwame Nkrumah aimed at rapidly expanding the GAF to support the [[United States of Africa]] ambitions. Thus in 1961, 4th and 5th Battalions were established, and in 1964 6th Battalion was established, from a [[Paratrooper|parachute]] [[Airborne forces|airborne unit]] originally raised in 1963.<ref>Baynham, Simon (1988), ''The Military and Politics in Nkumrah's Ghana'', Westview, Chapter 4, {{ISBN|0-8133-7063-9}}.</ref>
 
Today, Ghana is a [[regional power]] and [[regional hegemony|regional hegemon]].<ref name="South America and West Africa">{{cite book| first=Arie M. |last=Kacowicz |year=1998 |title=Zones of Peace in the Third World: South America and West Africa |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-3957-9 |pages=144}}</ref> In his book ''[[Shake Hands with the Devil (book)|Shake Hands with the Devil]]'', [[Canadian Forces]] commander [[Roméo Dallaire]] highly rated the GAF soldiers and [[military personnel]].<ref name="Canada's Military Assistance"/>
 
The [[military operation]]s and [[military doctrine]] of the GAF are conceptualised on the [[Constitution of Ghana]], Ghana's Law on [[Armed Force]] [[Military Strategy]], and [[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] (KAIPTC) agreements to which GAF is attestator.<ref name="Defence">{{cite news|url=http://www.mofep.gov.gh/?q=divisions/pbb/defence|title=Defence|work=[[Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (Ghana)|Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning]]|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201752/http://www.mofep.gov.gh/?q=divisions%2Fpbb%2Fdefence|archive-date=26 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana's Regional Security Policy">{{cite web |url=http://www.kaiptc.org/Publications/Occasional-Papers/Documents/no_20.aspx |title=Ghana's Regional Security Policy: Costs, Benefits and Consistency |page=33 |format=PDF |access-date=10 May 2014 |publisher=[[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508150900/http://www.kaiptc.org/Publications/Occasional-Papers/Documents/no_20.aspx |archive-date=8 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="KAIPTC">{{cite news |url=http://www.kaiptc.org/about-us/History.aspx |title=KAIPTC |work=[[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] |access-date=10 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214613/http://www.kaiptc.org/about-us/History.aspx |archive-date=12 May 2014 }}</ref> GAF military operations are executed under the auspices and imperium of the [[Ministry of Defence (Ghana)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) [[Minister for Defence (Ghana)|Minister for Defence]].<ref name="Defence"/><ref name="Vision & Mission">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=67&Itemid=101|title=Vision and Mission of the Ministry of Defence (MoD)|access-date=10 May 2014|work=gaf.mil.gh|publisher=Ghana Armed Forces|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721032203/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=67&Itemid=101|archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref>
 
Although Ghana is relatively peaceful and is often considered to be one of the least violent countries in the region, Ghana has experienced political violence in the past and 2017 has thus far seen an upward trend in incidents motivated by political grievances.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acleddata.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ACLED_Conflict-Trends-Report_No.58-May-2017_pdf.pdf |title=Real-time Analysis of African Political Violence |date=May 2017 |publisher=Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613204214/http://www.acleddata.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ACLED_Conflict-Trends-Report_No.58-May-2017_pdf.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
 
In 2017, Ghana signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=19 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |archive-date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
===Law enforcement and police===
{{Further|Law enforcement in Ghana}}
[[File:Ghana Police Service Motorbikes.jpg|thumb| [[Militarized police]] Unit of the [[Ghana Police Service]] ]]
 
The [[Ghana Police Service]] (GPS) and the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] (CID) are the main law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Ghana, and are responsible for the detection of crime, maintenance of law and order and the maintenance of internal peace and security.<ref name="MINT">{{cite web|title=The Ghana Police Service|url=http://www.mint.gov.gh/police.htm|publisher=mint.gov.gh|access-date=1 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222320/http://www.mint.gov.gh/police.htm|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> The Ghana Police Service has eleven specialised police units including a [[Militarized police]] [[Rapid deployment force]] (RDF) and [[Ghana Police Service#Marine Police Unit|Marine Police]] Unit (MPU).<ref name="UNIT">{{cite web|title=Ghana Police Service sets up Marine Police Unit|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/323575/1/ghana-police-service-sets-up-marine-police-unit.html|publisher=modernghana.com|access-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193158/http://www.modernghana.com/news/323575/1/ghana-police-service-sets-up-marine-police-unit.html|archive-date=2 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=POLICE/> The Ghana Police Service operates in 12 divisions: ten covering the ten regions of Ghana, one assigned specifically to the seaport and industrial hub of [[Tema]], and the twelfth being the Railways, Ports and Harbours Division.<ref name="POLICE">{{cite web|title=Police Administration|url=http://www.ghanapolice.info/regional.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218115805/http://www.ghanapolice.info/regional.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|publisher=ghanapolice.info|access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> The Ghana Police Service's [[Maritime police|Marine Police]] Unit and Division handles issues that arise from the country's offshore [[oil and gas industry]].<ref name=POLICE/>


The [[Ghana Prisons Service]] and the sub-division [[Borstal Institute for Juveniles]] administers [[incarceration]] in Ghana.<ref name="Ghana Prisons Service General Information">{{cite web|title=Ghana Prisons Service General Information|url=http://www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh/page-content?page=43393a37-a28e-4f1c-8540-e8eaf28825e8&menu=29899081-5de7-4bd0-8656-6473ac6f2c3e|publisher=ghanaprisons.gov.gh|access-date=31 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024072237/http://www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh/page-content?page=43393a37-a28e-4f1c-8540-e8eaf28825e8&menu=29899081-5de7-4bd0-8656-6473ac6f2c3e|archive-date=24 October 2013}}</ref> Ghana retains and exercises the death penalty for treason, corruption, robbery, piracy, drug trafficking, rape, and homicide.<ref name="Ghana – Death Penalty">{{cite web|title=Ghana – Death Penalty|url=http://www.handsoffcain.info/bancadati/schedastato.php?idstato=17000446&idcontinente=25|publisher=handsoffcain.info|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020214250/http://www.handsoffcain.info/bancadati/schedastato.php?idstato=17000446&idcontinente=25|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Criminal Code and Courts">{{cite web|title=Ghana Criminal Code and Courts|url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-5351.html|publisher=country-data.com|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515034443/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-5351.html|archive-date=15 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> 27 convicts (all men) were sentenced to death in Ghana in 2012 and the Ghana Prisons Service statistics of the total number of convicts sentenced to death in Ghana {{as of|2012|December|lc=y}} was 162 men and 4 women,<ref name="Ghana – Death Penalty"/> with a total prison inmate population of 13,983 convicts {{as of|2013|July|22|lc=y}}.<ref name="Ghana Prisons Service Inmate Statistics">{{cite web|title=Ghana Prisons Service Inmate Statistics|url=http://www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh/page-content?page=99e0e92e-7e71-4c20-a125-d69f052c7a47&menu=29899081-5de7-4bd0-8656-6473ac6f2c3e|publisher=ghanaprisons.gov.gh|access-date=31 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024072238/http://www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh/page-content?page=99e0e92e-7e71-4c20-a125-d69f052c7a47&menu=29899081-5de7-4bd0-8656-6473ac6f2c3e|archive-date=24 October 2013}}</ref> "The new sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations call for the international community to come together to promote the rule of law; support equal access to justice for all; reduce corruption; and develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels."<ref name="DIPNote: Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in the Great Lakes">{{cite web|last1=Perriello|title=Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in the Great Lakes|url=https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2015/10/01/promoting-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions-great-lakes|website=DIPNote|publisher=US Department of state|access-date=20 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520085847/https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2015/10/01/promoting-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions-great-lakes|archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref>
Most Ghanaians have access to primary and secondary education. Ghana has a 6-year primary school system. There are 6 public universities and 10 private universities.


{{clear}}
Ghana has many natural resources. The main exports are gold, timber, cocoa, diamonds, and more. Ghana has one of the strongest economies in Africa.


====Ghanaian drug war and the Narcotics Control Board====
Ghana used “Cedi” for their currency but in July 2007, “Ghanaian Cedi” became the new currency. 1 Ghana Cedi is equal to 1000 Cedi. 1 US dollar is currently exchanged at about 8 Ghana Cedi.
[[File:Drugtrade.png|thumb|Ghana is among the sovereign states of West Africa used by [[drug cartel]]s and drug traffickers (shown in orange).]]


Ghana is used as a key [[narcotic]]s industry [[transshipment]] point by traffickers, usually from South America as well as some from other African nations.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade"/> In 2013, the UN chief of the Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that "West Africa is completely weak in terms of border control and the big drug cartels from [[Colombia]] and [[Latin America]] have chosen Africa as a way to reach Europe."<ref name="DW Made for minds: Illegal drug use on the rise in Africa">{{cite web|last1=Gerra|title=Illegal drug use on the rise in Africa|url=http://www.dw.com/en/illegal-drug-use-on-the-rise-in-africa/a-16614023|website=DW Made for minds|publisher=Deutsche Welle|access-date=20 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314035220/http://www.dw.com/en/illegal-drug-use-on-the-rise-in-africa/a-16614023|archive-date=14 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Geography==
[[File:Beach with palms Ghana.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Beach in Ghana|Beach in Ghana]]
Ghana is a country located on the [[Gulf of Guinea]].  It is only a few degrees north of the [[Equator]]. This gives it a warm climate. The country has an area of {{convert|238500|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. It is surrounded by [[Togo]] to the east, [[Côte d'Ivoire]] to the west, [[Burkina Faso]] to the north and the [[Gulf of Guinea]] (Atlantic Ocean) to the south.


There is not a wide or popular knowledge about the narcotics industry and intercepted narcotics within Ghana itself, due to the industry's operations and involvement in the [[black market|underground economy]].  The social context within which [[narcotic trafficking]], storage, transportation, and repacking systems exist in Ghana and the state's location along the [[Gulf of Guinea]] within the Atlantic Ocean{{spaced ndash}}only a few degrees north of the [[Equator]]{{spaced ndash}}makes Ghana an attractive country for the narcotics business.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade">{{cite web |url=http://www.gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/ghana-hit-by-illegal-drug-trade-1.1236396 |title=Ghana hit by illegal drug trade |work=[[Gulf News]] |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212171614/http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/ghana-hit-by-illegal-drug-trade-1.1236396 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if">{{cite web|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2013/November-20th/ghana-could-be-taken-over-by-drug-barons-ifkwesi-aning.php|title=Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if|publisher=myjoyonline.com|date=20 November 2013|access-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210062520/http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2013/November-20th/ghana-could-be-taken-over-by-drug-barons-ifkwesi-aning.php|archive-date=10 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
The country has flat plains, low hills and a few rivers. Ghana can be divided into five different geographical regions. The coastline is mostly a low, sandy shore backed by plains and scrub.  It is crossed by several rivers and streams. The northern part of the country has high plains. Southwest and south central Ghana is made up of a forested plateau region with the [[Ashanti (region)|Ashanti]] uplands and the [[Kwahu Plateau]]. The hilly Akuapim-Togo ranges are found along the country's eastern border.


The [[Narcotics Control Board (Ghana)|Narcotics Control Board]] (NACOB) has impounded [[container ship]]s at the Sekondi Naval Base in the [[Takoradi Harbour]]. These ships were carrying thousands of kilograms of cocaine, with a street value running into billions of [[Ghana cedi]]s.  However, drug seizures saw a decline in 2011.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade"/><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if"/>
The [[Volta Basin]] also takes up most of central Ghana. Ghana's highest point is [[Mount Afadjato]].  It is {{convert|885|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} and is found in the Akwapim-Togo Ranges.


[[Drug cartel]]s are using new methods in narcotics production and narcotics [[exportation]], to avoid Ghanaian security agencies.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade"/><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if"/> Underdeveloped institutions, porous open borders, and the existence of established [[smuggling]] organisations contribute to Ghana's position in the narcotics industry.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade"/><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if"/> [[John Atta Mills]], president between 2009 and 2012, initiated ongoing efforts to reduce the role of airports in Ghana's drug trade.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade"/>
There are two main seasons in Ghana: the wet and the dry seasons. Northern Ghana has its rainy season from March to November. The south, including the capital Accra, has the season from April to mid-November.


===Administrative divisions===
==Regions and districts==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Ghana}}
Ghana is divided into 16 [[Administrative division|administrative]] regions, sub-divided into 275 districts:


Ghana is divided into 16 [[Administrative division|administrative]] regions, sub-divided into 275 districts:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/news/?read=46975 | title=SOCIAL:EC has done no wrong – Dr Afari-Gyan | publisher=Ghana News Agengy | access-date=13 March 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223809/http://ghanadistricts.gov.gh/news/?read=46975 | archive-date=12 May 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2013/october-29th/mps-demand-247-police-security-for-275-members.php |title=MPs demand 24/7 police security for 275 members |publisher=myjoyonline.com |access-date=13 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214239/http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2013/october-29th/mps-demand-247-police-security-for-275-members.php |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ghanadistricts.com/districts/ |title=All Districts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031082356/http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/ |archive-date=31 October 2013 |website=GhanaDistricts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/Ghana-Cities.html |title=Ghana: Regions, Major Cities & Urban Localities – Population Statistics in Maps and Charts |website=City Population|access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref>
<div style="overflow:auto;">
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 288: Line 94:
!Regional capitals
!Regional capitals
!
!
|-
|border="1"|[[Ashanti Region]]
|style="text-align:center;"|24,389
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Kumasi]]
| rowspan="16" style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Ghana regions.png]]<br />{{nowrap|Ghana regional map<br />prior to 2019 changes}}
|-
|border="1"|[[Brong-Ahafo Region|Bono Region]]
|style="text-align:center;"|39,557
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Sunyani]]
|-
|-
|[[Ahafo Region]]
|[[Ahafo Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|5,193
|
|[[Goaso]]
|[[Goaso]]
| rowspan="16" | [[File:Ghana, administrative divisions 2018 - de - colored.svg|frameless|Regions of Ghana from February 2019]]
|-
|[[Ashanti Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|24,389
|[[Kumasi]]
|-
|[[Brong-Ahafo Region|Bono Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|11,107
|[[Sunyani]]
|-
|-
|[[Bono East Region]]
|[[Bono East Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|23,257
|
|[[Techiman]]
|[[Techiman]]
|-
|-
|[[Central Region (Ghana)|Central Region]]
|border="1"|[[Central Region (Ghana)|Central Region]]
|style="text-align:right;|9,826
|style="text-align:center;"|9,826
|[[Cape Coast]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Cape Coast]]
|-
|-
|[[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern Region]]
|border="1"|[[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|19,323
|style="text-align:center;"|19,323
|[[Koforidua]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Koforidua]]
|-
|-
|[[Greater Accra Region]]
|border="1"|[[Greater Accra Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|3,245
|style="text-align:center;"|3,245
|[[Accra]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Accra]]
|-
|-
|[[Northern Region (Ghana)|Northern Region]]
|border="1"|[[Northern Region (Ghana)|Northern Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|25,448
|style="text-align:center;"|70,384
|[[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]]
|-
|[[Savannah Region]]
|
|[[Damongo]]
|-
|-
|[[North East Region, Ghana|North East Region]]
|[[North East Region, Ghana|North East Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|9,074
|
|[[Nalerigu]]
|[[Nalerigu]]
|-
|-
|[[Oti Region]]
|border="1"|[[Upper East Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|11,066
|style="text-align:center;"|8,842
|[[Dambai]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Bolgatanga]]
|-
|[[Savannah Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|35,862
|[[Damongo]]
|-
|-
|[[Upper East Region]]
|border="1"|[[Upper West Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|8,842
|style="text-align:center;"|18,476
|[[Bolgatanga]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Wa, Ghana|Wa]]
|-
|-
|[[Upper West Region]]
|border="1"|[[Volta Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|18,476
|style="text-align:center;"|20,570
|[[Wa, Ghana|Wa]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]
|-
|-
|[[Volta Region]]
|[[Oti Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|9,504
|
|[[Ho, Ghana|Ho]]
|[[Dambai]]
|-
|-
|[[Western Region, Ghana|Western Region]]
|border="1"|[[Western Region, Ghana|Western Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|13,847
|style="text-align:center;"|23,941
|[[Sekondi-Takoradi]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Sekondi-Takoradi]]
|-
|-
|[[Western North Region]]
|[[Western North Region]]
|style="text-align:right;"|10,074
|
|[[Wiawso]]
|[[Wiawso]]
|
|}
|}
</div>
===Human rights===
{{See also|Human rights in Ghana|LGBT rights in Ghana}}
[[Homosexuality|Homosexual acts]] are prohibited by law in Ghana.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death |work=The Washington Post |date=16 June 2016 |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111064457/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |archive-date=11 November 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> According to 2013 survey by the [[Pew Research Center]], 96% of Ghanaians believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society.<ref name="pewglobal.org">[http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ "The Global Divide on Homosexuality."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103034522/http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ |date=3 November 2013 }} ''[[Pew Research Center]]''. 4 June 2013.</ref> Sometimes old [[women in Ghana]] are accused of [[witchcraft]], particularly in rural Ghana. Issues of witchcraft mainly remain as speculations based on superstitions within families. In some parts of northern Ghana, there exists what are called [[witch camp]]s. This is said to house a total of around 1,000 people accused of witchcraft.<ref name="Camps"/> The Ghanaian government has announced that it intends to close the camps.<ref name="Camps">{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19437130 | title=Ghana witch camps: Widows' lives in exile | publisher=BBC | date=1 September 2012 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020122329/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19437130 | archive-date=20 October 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
While [[women in Ghana]] are given equal rights under the constitution of Ghana, disparities in education, employment, and healthcare for women remain prevalent.
==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Ghana|New media in Ghana|Manufacturing in Ghana#Automobile manufacturing|l3=Automobile manufacturing in Ghana}}
===Key sectors===
[[File:Ghana Product Exports (2019).svg|upright=1.3|thumb|right|A proportional representation of Ghana exports, 2019]]
[[File:Ghana Export Trends.jpg|thumb|right|Ghana petroleum and [[Commodity|commodities]]; exports in [[percentage]].]]
Ghana is an average [[natural resource]] enriched country possessing [[industrial mineral]]s, [[hydrocarbon]]s and [[precious metal]]s. It is an emerging designated [[digital economy]] with [[mixed economy]] hybridisation and an [[emerging markets|emerging market]].  It has an [[economic plan]] target known as the "Ghana Vision 2020". This plan envisions Ghana as the first African country to become a [[developed country]] between 2020 and 2029 and a [[newly industrialised country]] between 2030 and 2039.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghana|url=https://www.vizocom.com/internet/ghana/|website=Vizocom – Satellite Internet and VSAT Solutions|language=en|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> This excludes fellow [[Group of 24]] member and [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]n country South Africa, which is a [[newly industrialised country]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/?articleID=2000065384&story_title= |title=Is Ghana the next African economic tiger? |publisher=standardmedia.co.ke |date=4 September 2012 |access-date=5 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403174443/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/?articleID=2000065384&story_title= |archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> Ghana's economy also has ties to the [[Renminbi|Chinese yuan renminbi]] along with Ghana's vast gold reserves. In 2013, the [[Bank of Ghana]] began circulating the renminbi throughout Ghanaian state-owned banks and to the Ghana public as [[hard currency]] along with the national [[Ghana cedi]] for second national trade currency.<ref name="BoG introduce Chinese Yuan onto the FX market">{{cite web|url=http://www.radioxyzonline.com/edition/pages/business/09172013-1152/14785.stm |title=BoG introduce Chinese Yuan onto the FX market |publisher=[[Bank of Ghana]] |year=2013 |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926191724/http://www.radioxyzonline.com/edition/pages/business/09172013-1152/14785.stm |archive-date=26 September 2013}}</ref>
Between 2012 and 2013, 37.9 percent of rural dwellers were experiencing poverty whereas only 10.6 percent of urban dwellers were.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2014/08/15/ghanas-request-for-imf-assistance/|title=Ghana's Request for IMF Assistance|first=Temesgen Deressa and Amadou|last=Sy|access-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160601/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2014/08/15/ghanas-request-for-imf-assistance/|archive-date=13 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Urban areas hold greater opportunity for employment, particularly in informal trade, while nearly all (94 percent) of rural poor households participate in the agricultural sector.<ref>{{cite conference |url=http://www.oecd.org/agriculture/agricultural-policies/46341169.pdf |title=Economic Importance of Agriculture for Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction: Findings from a Case Study of Ghana |first=Xinshen |last=Diao |conference=Global Forum on Agriculture 29–30 November 2010 – Policies for Agricultural Development, Poverty Reduction and Food Security |location=Paris |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618215948/http://www.oecd.org/agriculture/agricultural-policies/46341169.pdf |archive-date=18 June 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
The state-owned [[Volta River Authority]] and [[Ghana National Petroleum Corporation]] are the two major electricity producers.<ref name="Ghana – Gross Domestic Product"/> The [[Akosombo Dam]], built on the Volta River in 1965, along with [[Bui Dam]], [[Kpong Dam]], and several other [[hydroelectric dam]]s provide hydropower.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/rr171.pdf|title=A new era of transformation in Ghana|publisher=ifpri.org|access-date=16 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409195949/http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/rr171.pdf|archive-date=9 April 2012}}{{rp|12}}</ref><ref name="New fuel for faster development">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfolio.co.uk/region/africa/ghana/president-john-atta-mills-n145|title=New fuel for faster development|publisher=worldfolio.co.uk|access-date=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624100025/http://www.worldfolio.co.uk/region/africa/ghana/president-john-atta-mills-n145|archive-date=24 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, the Government of Ghana has sought to [[nuclear energy in Ghana|build the second nuclear power plant in Africa]].
The [[Ghana Stock Exchange]] is the 5th largest on continental Africa and 3rd largest in sub-saharan Africa with a [[market capitalisation]] of [[Ghana Cedi|GH¢]] 57.2&nbsp;billion or [[Renminbi|CN¥]] 180.4&nbsp;billion in 2012 with the South Africa [[JSE Limited]] as first.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icbuk.com/images/uploads/ICBUKGhanaReportSeptember2011.pdf |title=Ghana Market Update |publisher=[[Intercontinental Bank]] |access-date=26 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704014602/http://www.icbuk.com/images/uploads/ICBUKGhanaReportSeptember2011.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2012 }}{{rp|13}}</ref> The [[Ghana Stock Exchange]] (GSE) was the 2nd best performing [[stock exchange]] in sub-saharan Africa in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africastrictlybusiness.com/lists/top-performing-african-stock-markets-2013|title=Top-Performing African Stock Markets in 2013|publisher=africastrictlybusiness.com|year=2013|access-date=20 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321014630/http://www.africastrictlybusiness.com/lists/top-performing-african-stock-markets-2013|archive-date=21 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Ghana also produces high-quality [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]].<ref name="Ghana Entering A Sweet, Golden Era">{{cite web|url=http://africanbusinessmagazine.com/special-reports/country-reports/ghana-celebrates/is-ghana-entering-a-sweet-golden-era|title=Is Ghana Entering A Sweet, Golden Era?|work=[[African Business]]|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718204528/http://africanbusinessmagazine.com/special-reports/country-reports/ghana-celebrates/is-ghana-entering-a-sweet-golden-era|archive-date=18 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the 2nd largest producer of cocoa globally,<ref name="Ghana Entering A Sweet, Golden Era"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jedwab|first1=Rémi|last2=Moradi|first2=Alexander|year=2012|title=Revolutionizing Transport: Modern Infrastructure, Agriculture and Development in Ghana|url=http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/42263/|publisher=[[London School of Economics]]|access-date=15 June 2013|quote=Two railway lines were built between 1901 and 1923 to connect the coast to mining areas and the large hinterland city of Kumasi. This unintendedly opened vast expanses of tropical forest to cocoa cultivation, allowing Ghana to become the world's largest producer.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510114118/http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/42263/|archive-date=10 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and was projected to become the world's largest producer of cocoa in 2015.<ref name="Ghana will reclaim top spot in cocoa production">{{cite web|url=https://graphic.com.gh/archive/General-News/ghana-will-reclaim-top-spot-in-cocoa-production-prez-mahama.html |title=Ghana will reclaim top spot in cocoa production -Prez Mahama |work=[[Daily Graphic (Ghana)|Daily Graphic]] |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302131433/http://graphic.com.gh/archive/General-News/ghana-will-reclaim-top-spot-in-cocoa-production-prez-mahama.html |archive-date= 2 March 2014 }}</ref>
Ghana is classified as a middle income country.<ref name=IMF/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.icbuk.com/images/uploads/ICBUKGhanaReportSeptember2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704014602/http://www.icbuk.com/images/uploads/ICBUKGhanaReportSeptember2011.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2012|title=Ghana Market Update|author= Forrest, Paul|work=icbuk.com|publisher=[[Intercontinental Bank]]|date=September 2011|access-date=26 March 2012|page=13}}</ref> [[Tertiary sector of industry|Services]] account for 50% of GDP, followed by [[secondary sector of industry|manufacturing]] (24.1%), [[primary sector of industry|extractive industries]] (5%), and taxes (20.9%).<ref name="Ghana – Gross Domestic Product"/>
Ghana announced plans to issue government debt by way of social and green bonds in Autumn 2021, making it the first African country to do so.{{citation needed|date=July 2021|reason=these are not direct links to the Bloomberg articles}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-25/ghana-to-sell-sustainable-bonds-for-up-to-1-billion-by-july-kp3rq0p1|access-date=2021-07-05|website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-05/ghana-mulls-africa-s-first-social-bonds-with-2-billion-sale|access-date=2021-07-05|website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> The country, which is planning to borrow up to $5 billion on international markets this year, would use the proceeds from these sustainable bonds to refinance debt used for social and environmental projects and pay for educational or health. Only a few other nations have sold them so far, including [[Chile]] and [[Ecuador]]. The country will use the proceeds to forge ahead with a free secondary-school initiative started in 2017 among other programs, despite having recorded its lowest economic growth rate in 37 years in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghana plans to issue Africa's first social bonds with $2B sale|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/5/ghana-plans-to-issue-africas-first-social-bonds-with-2b-sale|access-date=2021-07-06|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Manufacturing===
The Ghana economy is an emerging digital-based mixed economy hybrid with an increasing primary manufacturing and export of digital technology goods along with assembling and exporting automobiles and ships, diverse resource rich exportation of [[industrial mineral]]s, agricultural products primarily cocoa, petroleum and natural gas,<ref name="Ghana's Jubilee oil field nears output plateau -operator">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL6N0DA59S20130423?irpc=932|work=[[Reuters]]|title=Ghana's Jubilee oil field nears output plateau -operator|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> and [[Private industry|industries]] such as [[information and communications technology]] primarily via Ghana's state digital technology corporation [[Rlg Communications]] which manufactures [[tablet computer]]s with [[smartphone]]s and various [[consumer electronics]].<ref name="Ghana – Gross Domestic Product">{{cite web|title=Ghana – Gross Domestic Product|url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/GDP/revised_gdp_2011_april-2012.pdf|publisher=statsghana.gov.gh|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417045744/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/GDP/revised_gdp_2011_april-2012.pdf|archive-date=17 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The Top 5 Countries for ICT in Africa">{{cite web|url=http://www.ictworks.org/2012/03/26/top-5-countries-ict4d-africa-are-kenya-ghana-nigeria-tanzania-and/|title=The Top 5 Countries for ICT4D in Africa|publisher=ictworks.org|access-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614035416/http://www.ictworks.org/2012/03/26/top-5-countries-ict4d-africa-are-kenya-ghana-nigeria-tanzania-and/|archive-date=14 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Urban car|Urban]] [[electric car]]s have been manufactured in Ghana since 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ghana's model vehicle unveiled by Suame Magazine artisans |author=Kofi Adu Domfeh |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/458333/1/ghanas-model-vehicle-unveiled-by-suame-magazine-ar.html |publisher=Modernghana.com |date=13 April 2013 |access-date=25 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ghana's model car attracts Dutch government support |url=http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201307/109474.php |publisher=Myjoyonline.gh |date=15 July 2013 |access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923084526/http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201307/109474.php |archive-date=23 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
===Petroleum and natural gas production===
[[File:Jubilee Oil Field of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and National Petroleum Authority.png|thumb|right|[[Jubilee oil field]] of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and [[National Petroleum Authority]] located off the coast of the [[Western Region (Ghana)|Western Region]] in Ghana in the [[South Atlantic Ocean]].]]
Ghana produces and exports an abundance of [[hydrocarbon]]s such as [[sweet crude oil]] and [[natural gas]].<ref name="Five Countries to Watch">{{cite web|url=http://www.individual.troweprice.com/public/Retail/Planning-&-Research/Connections/Africa/Global-Economy-African-Countries-Growth |title=Five Countries to Watch |work=individual.troweprice.com |access-date=27 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412023853/http://individual.troweprice.com/public/Retail/Planning-%26-Research/Connections/Africa/Global-Economy-African-Countries-Growth |archive-date=12 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aluworks.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=60&734e1554a786d82e908c7c85044123c2=746b376516a36724613692ecab763f6f |title=Africa |publisher=Aluworks.com |access-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903210059/http://www.aluworks.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=60&734e1554a786d82e908c7c85044123c2=746b376516a36724613692ecab763f6f |archive-date=3 September 2011 }}</ref> The 100% state-owned [[filling station]] company of Ghana, [[Ghana Oil Company]] (GOIL) is the number 1 petroleum and gas filling station of Ghana and the 100% state-owned state oil company [[Ghana National Petroleum Corporation]] (GNPC) oversees [[hydrocarbon exploration]] and production of Ghana's entire petroleum and natural gas reserves. Ghana aims to further increase output of oil to {{convert|2.2|e6oilbbl}} per day and gas to {{convert|1.2|e9cuft|m3|order=flip}} per day.<ref name="cs2">Clark, Nancy L. "Petroleum Exploration". ''[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html A Country Study: Ghana] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120713070609/lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html |date=13 July 2012 }}'' (La Verle Berry, editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (November 1994). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].'' [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html Lcweb2.loc.gov] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710004153/lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html |date=10 July 2012 }}.</ref>
Ghana's [[Jubilee oil field|Jubilee Oilfield]] which contains up to {{convert|3|Goilbbl|m3}} of [[sweet crude oil]] was discovered in 2007, among the many other offshore and inland oilfields in Ghana.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071222/ap_on_re_af/ghana_oil_discovery_3|title=Ghana leader: Oil reserves at 3B barrels|work=Yahoo News|date=22 December 2007|access-date=21 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226200944/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071222/ap_on_re_af/ghana_oil_discovery_3|archive-date=26 December 2007}}</ref> Ghana is believed to have up to {{convert|5|Goilbbl|m3}} to {{convert|7|Goilbbl|m3}} of petroleum in reserves,<ref>McLure, Jason. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/ghana-oil-reserves-to-be-5-billion-barrels-in-5-years-as-fields-develop.html Ghana Oil Reserves to Be {{convert|5|Goilbbl|m3}} in 5 years as fields develop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191618/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/ghana-oil-reserves-to-be-5-billion-barrels-in-5-years-as-fields-develop.html |date=29 October 2013 }}. [[Bloomberg Television]], 1 December 2010.</ref> which is the fifth largest in Africa and the 21st to 25th [[List of countries by proven oil reserves|largest proven reserves]] in the world. It also has up to {{convert|6|e12cuft|m3|order=flip}} of natural gas in reserves,<ref name="Atuabo gas project to propel more growth">{{cite web |url=https://graphic.com.gh/archive/Business-News/atuabo-gas-project-to-propel-more-growth.html |title=Atuabo gas project to propel more growth |first= Moses Dotsey|last= Aklorbortu|work=[[Daily Graphic (Ghana)|Daily Graphic]] |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140503021413/http://graphic.com.gh/archive/Business-News/atuabo-gas-project-to-propel-more-growth.html |archive-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> which is the sixth largest in Africa and the 49th [[List of countries by natural gas proven reserves|largest natural gas proven reserves]] in the world. [[Oil and gas exploration]] off Ghana's eastern coast on the Gulf of Guinea is ongoing, and the amount of both crude oil and natural gas continues to increase. The [[Government of Ghana]] has drawn up plans to [[Nationalization|nationalise]] Ghana's entire petroleum and natural gas reserves to increase government revenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201304291808.html/?maneref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fm%3Fq%3DGhana%2520privatise%2520mining%26client%3Dms-opera-mobile%26channel%3Dnew|title=Ghana: Why Privatise Ghana Oil?|publisher=allafrica.com|access-date=22 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929015429/http://allafrica.com/stories/201304291808.html/?maneref=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252Fm%253Fq%253DGhana%252520privatise%252520mining%2526client%253Dms-opera-mobile%2526channel%253Dnew|archive-date=29 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Confusing|date=October 2020}}
===Industrial minerals mining===
{{main|Mining industry of Ghana}}
Known for its [[industrial mineral]]s, Ghana is the world's 7th largest producer of gold, producing 130 [[metric ton]]s in 2019,<ref name="CEIC">{{cite web|title=Ghana Gold Production |website=CEIC Data |url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/ghana/gold-production|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> and is now the largest producer in [[Africa]] ahead of South Africa.<ref name=CEIC/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/18245/ghana-now-africas-largest-gold-producer-but-reforms-await/|title=Ghana now Africa's largest gold producer, but reforms await|author=Whitehouse, David|date=8 October 2019|work=The Africa Report|access-date=16 October 2020}}</ref> Ghana has the 9th largest reserves and the 9th largest production rate of diamonds in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghana|url=https://eiti.org/ghana|access-date=2021-07-06|website=Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative}}</ref> [[Industrial mineral]]s and exports from South Ghana include gold, silver, timber, diamonds, [[bauxite]], and [[manganese]]. South Ghana also has mineral deposits of [[barite]], [[basalt]], [[Clay minerals|clay]], [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], [[feldspar]], [[granite]], [[gravel]], [[gypsum]], iron ore, [[kaolin]], [[laterite]], [[limestone]], [[magnesite]], [[marble]], [[mica]], [[phosphate]]s, [[phosphorus]], [[Rock (geology)|rocks]], salts, [[sand]], [[sandstone]], silver, [[slate]], [[talc]], and [[uranium]] that are yet to be fully [[Exploitation of natural resources|exploited]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U49Q8BgiarkC&q=Ghana%20minerals%20granite&pg=PA70|title=Ghana Mineral and Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide|work=Ibpus.com|access-date=16 May 2014|isbn=978-1-4330-1775-9|last1=Publications|first1=U.S.A. International Business|date=7 February 2007}}</ref> The Government of Ghana has drawn up plans to [[Nationalization|nationalize]] Ghana's entire mining industry to increase government revenues.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U49Q8BgiarkC&pg=PA70|title=Ghana Mineral and Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide|work=Ibpus.com|publisher=International Business Publications|access-date=24 June 2013|isbn=978-1-4330-1775-9|year=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanalegal.com/?id=3&law=535&t=ghana-laws|title=Ghana Minerals and Mining Act|publisher=ghanalegal.com|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021012648/http://www.ghanalegal.com/?id=3&law=535&t=ghana-laws|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Ghana}}
[[File:Surfers Surfing at Busua Beach in Western region, Ghana.jpg|thumb|[[Surfer]]s [[surfing]] and [[big wave surfing]] at [[Busua Beach]] in [[Western Region (Ghana)|Western region]]<ref name="11 of the world's most unusual surf spots"/>]]
In 2011, 1,087,000 tourists visited Ghana.<ref name="WAO">{{cite web|work=Ministry of Tourism Ghana|publisher=ghana.gov.gh|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/features/5885-we-are-serious-about-overcoming-the-challenges-confronting-tourism-development|title=We Are Serious About Overcoming The Challenges Confronting Tourism Development|access-date=14 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718223300/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/features/5885-we-are-serious-about-overcoming-the-challenges-confronting-tourism-development|archive-date=18 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Tourist arrivals to Ghana include South Americans, Asians, Europeans, and North Americans.<ref name="Trade Expo International Ghana"/> The attractions and major tourist destinations of Ghana include a warm, tropical climate year-round, diverse wildlife, waterfalls such as [[Kintampo waterfalls]] and the largest waterfall in west Africa, [[Wli waterfalls]], Ghana's coastal palm-lined sandy beaches, caves, mountains, rivers, and reservoirs and lakes such as [[Lake Bosumtwi]] and the largest man-made lake in the world by surface area, [[Lake Volta]], dozens of [[List of castles in Ghana|forts and castles]], [[World Heritage Site]]s, nature reserves and national parks.<ref name="Trade Expo International Ghana">{{cite web|url=http://www.uniquetrustex.com/node/162/177/?ex=trade-expo-international-ghana&nid=162 |title=Trade Expo International Ghana |publisher=uniquetrustex.com |access-date=14 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501221713/http://www.uniquetrustex.com/node/162/177/?ex=trade-expo-international-ghana&nid=162 |archive-date=1 May 2013}}</ref> In addition to the beautiful natural reserves which serve as tourist sites, there are some [[castle]]s in Ghana that serve as tourist sites and attract many [[Tourism|tourists]] from all over the world. Some of the notable castles are [[Cape Coast Castle Museum|Cape Coast Castle]] and the [[Elmina Castle]] all in the Central region of Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit Ghana {{!}} Forts and Castles in Ghana|url=https://visitghana.com/attractions/all-forts-and-castles/|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Visit Ghana|language=en-US}}</ref> Not only are the castles important for tourism, they also mark where blood was shed in the slave trade and preserve and promote the African heritage stolen and destroyed through the slave trade.<ref name="Centre">{{Cite web|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|title=Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/34/|access-date=2020-09-12|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref> As a result of this, the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO named Ghana's castles and forts as World Heritage Monuments.<ref name="Centre"/>
The [[World Economic Forum]] statistics in 2010 showed that out of the world's favorite tourist destinations, Ghana was ranked 108th out of 139 countries.<ref name="RANK">{{cite web|title=Forbes: Ghana is eleventh friendliest nation|url=http://vibeghana.com/2011/03/20/forbes-ghana-is-eleventh-friendliest-nation/|publisher=vibeghana.com|access-date=31 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728071955/http://vibeghana.com/2011/03/20/forbes-ghana-is-eleventh-friendliest-nation/|archive-date=28 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. In 2011, ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, published that Ghana was ranked the eleventh most friendly country in the world. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travellers. Of all the African countries that were included in the survey, Ghana ranked highest.<ref name=RANK/> Tourism is the fourth highest earner of foreign exchange for the country.<ref name=RANK/> In 2017, Ghana ranks as the [[Global Peace Index|43rd–most peaceful country]] in the world.<ref name="About the Global Peace Index">{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofhumanity.org/sites/default/files/Global%20Peace%20Index%20Report%202015_0.pdf |title=About the Global Peace Index |publisher=Vision of Humanity |year=2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006145259/http://www.visionofhumanity.org/sites/default/files/Global%20Peace%20Index%20Report%202015_0.pdf |archive-date= 6 October 2015 }}</ref>
A growing tourist attraction in Ghana is [[surfing]]. Up and down the coastline, several spots have been identified and cultivated by locals and internationals alike. Renowned surfers have made trips to the country to sample the waves. Suitable for beginners and seasoned surfers alike, there is a quality and consistency to the waves to suit all levels of skill. It is not unusual now to see surfers carrying their boards amid traditional Ghanaian [[Traditional fishing boat|fishing vessels]]. [[Busua]], [[Kokrobite]], and Muuston boast some of the country's best surf in warm, tropical waters.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saxena|first=Kanika|date=2018-12-21|title=Wish To Experience The Thrill Of Surfing in Ghana? Here's Where You Should Go!|url=https://traveltriangle.com/blog/surfing-in-ghana/|access-date=2021-05-21|language=en-us}}</ref>
To enter Ghana, it is necessary to have a visa authorized by the [[Government of Ghana]]. Travellers must apply for this visa at a Ghanaian embassy; this process can take approximately two weeks. By law, visitors entering Ghana must be able to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate.<ref name="travel">{{cite web|title=Travel Advice|url=http://www.africa.com/ghana/travel/getting-around/|publisher=Africa.com|access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109144415/http://www.africa.com/ghana/travel/getting-around/|archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
According to Destination Pride<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/life/travel/tools-to-help-the-lgbtq-community-travel-more-safely-1.4539293|title=Tools to help the LGBTQ community travel more safely|date=16 February 2018|first=Ryan E. |last=Thompson |work=CBC Life |language=en|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718062412/https://www.cbc.ca/life/travel/tools-to-help-the-lgbtq-community-travel-more-safely-1.4539293|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> – a data-driven search platform used to visualize the world's LGBTQ+ laws, rights and social sentiment – Ghana's Pride score is 22 (out of 100).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://destinationpride.org/destination/ghana|title=I'm sharing Ghana's Destination Pride Flag. What does your country score?|website=Destination Pride|language=en|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref>
===Real estate===
[[File:Luxury Villa House (South Ghana).jpg|thumb|A [[villa]] in [[East Ridge, Accra|East Ridge]]]]
The real estate and [[housing market]] of Ghana has become an important and strategic [[economic sector]], particularly in the [[urban centre]]s of south Ghana such as Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and Tema.<ref name="Economic Update"/><ref name="Real Estate Market in Ghana">{{cite web|url=http://orelghana.com/realestateinghana/|title=Real Estate Market in Ghana|publisher=orelghana.com|date=23 July 2012|access-date=25 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702190939/http://orelghana.com/realestateinghana/|archive-date=2 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="Property market faces brighter growth prospects">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanabizmedia.com/ghanabizmedia/june-2011-real-estate/325-property-market-faces-brighter-growth-prospects.html|title=Property market faces brighter growth prospects|publisher=ghanabizmedia.com|access-date=25 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713072140/http://www.ghanabizmedia.com/ghanabizmedia/june-2011-real-estate/325-property-market-faces-brighter-growth-prospects.html|archive-date=13 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, many of its citizens particularly those in Accra cannot afford the housing prices which is a trait of most major cities globally particularly in the West. Kumasi is growing at a faster rate than Accra, and there is less competition in its real estate market.<ref name="Economic Update"/> The gross rental [[income tax]] of Ghana is withheld at 10%, [[capital gain]]s are taxed at 15% with a 5% [[gift tax]] imposed on the transfer of properties and Ghana's [[real estate market]] is divided into 3 areas: public sector real estate development, emerging private sector real estate development, and private individuals.<ref name="Economic Update"/><ref name="Real Estate Market in Ghana"/> The activities of these 3 groups are facilitated by the Ghanaian banks and the primary mortgage market which has demonstrated enormous growth potential.<ref name="Real Estate Market in Ghana"/> Recent developments in the Ghanaian economy has given birth to a boom in the construction sector, including the housing and public housing sector generating and injecting billions of dollars annually into the Ghanaian economy.<ref name="Economic Update"/><ref name="Real Estate Market in Ghana"/> The real estate market investment perspective and attraction comes from Ghana's tropical location and robust political stability.<ref name="Economic Update"/><ref name="Real Estate Market in Ghana"/> An increasing number of the Ghanaian populace are investing in properties and the Ghana government is empowering the [[private sector]] in
the real estate direction.<ref name="Economic Update">{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/economic_updates/ghana-private-opportunities-real-estate|title=Economic Update – Ghana: Private opportunities in real estate|publisher=oxfordbusinessgroup.com|date=12 April 2012|access-date=25 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522164834/http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/economic_updates/ghana-private-opportunities-real-estate|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Real Estate Market in Ghana"/>
===Trade and exports===
[[File:Ghana economy treemap.png|thumb|Ghana Export Treemap by Product (2017) from Harvard Atlas of Economic Complexity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/countries/83/export-basket|title=Ghana Export Basket in ⁨2017 – The Atlas of Economic Complexity|website=atlas.cid.harvard.edu|access-date=28 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928215548/http://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/countries/83/export-basket|archive-date=28 September 2019}}</ref>]]
In July 2013, [[International Enterprise Singapore]] opened its 38th global office in Accra, to develop trade and investment on logistics, [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[Natural gas|gas]], [[aviation]], [[transport]]ation and consumer sectors.<ref name="IE Singapore opens office in Ghana"/> Singapore and Ghana also signed four bilateral agreements to promote [[public sector]] and [[private sector]] collaboration, as Ghana aims to predominantly shift its economic trade partnership to East Asia and Southeast Asia.<ref name="IE Singapore opens office in Ghana"/> The economic centre is [[International Enterprise Singapore|IE Singapore]]'s second office in Africa, coming six months after opening in Johannesburg, South Africa in January 2013.<ref name="IE Singapore opens office in Ghana">{{cite web|url=http://business.asiaone.com/news/ie-spore-opens-second-africa-office-ghana|title=IE S'pore opens second Africa office in Ghana|work=business.asiaone.com|publisher=[[AsiaOne]]|date=27 July 2013|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215209/http://business.asiaone.com/news/ie-spore-opens-second-africa-office-ghana|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ghana's labour force in 2008 totalled 11.5&nbsp;million Ghanaian citizens.<ref name="afdb">{{cite web |url=https://africaknowledgelab.worldbank.org/akl/sites/africaknowledgelab.worldbank.org/files/report/Annexes%20for%20Ghana%20Education.pdf |title=Annex 1: Political and Administrative System |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501234849/https://africaknowledgelab.worldbank.org/akl/sites/africaknowledgelab.worldbank.org/files/report/Annexes%20for%20Ghana%20Education.pdf |archive-date=1 May 2012 |publisher=World Bank |access-date=29 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/GHANA%20CSP%20DRAFT%20FOR%20COMMENTS.pdf|title=Republic of Ghana Country Strategy Paper 2012–2016|publisher=afdb.org|access-date=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228085814/http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/GHANA%20CSP%20DRAFT%20FOR%20COMMENTS.pdf|archive-date=28 February 2013|url-status=live}}{{rp|12–40}}</ref> [[Tema Harbour]] is Africa's largest {{linktext|manmade}} harbour and [[Takoradi Harbour]] along with Tema harbour in Ghana handles goods and exports for Ghana. They are also traffic junctions where goods are transhipped; the Tema harbour handles the majority of the nation's export cargo and most of the country's chief exports is shipped from Takoradi harbour.<ref name="GPHA-Sekond-Takoradi"/><ref name="GPHA-Tema"/> The Takoradi harbour and Tema harbour are operated by the state-owned [[Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority]].<ref name="GPHA-Sekond-Takoradi">{{cite web |url=http://ghanaports.gov.gh/tr/default |website=Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority |title=Port of Takoradi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228112618/http://ghanaports.gov.gh/tr/default |archive-date=28 February 2014 |access-date=1 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="GPHA-Tema">{{cite web |url=http://ghanaports.gov.gh/tm/default |website=Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority |title=Port of Tema |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228113034/http://ghanaports.gov.gh/tm/default |archive-date=28 February 2014 |access-date=1 January 2012}}</ref>
===Electricity generation sector===
{{Main|Electricity sector in Ghana}}
Severe shortages of electricity in 2015 & 2016 led to [[dumsor]] (persistent, irregular and unpredictable electric power outages),<ref name="germany">{{cite web|url=http://graphic.com.gh/news/politics/37330-i-ve-been-named-mr-dumsor-in-ghana-prez-mahama-tells-ghanaians-in-germany.html|title=I've been named 'Mr Dumsor' in Ghana – Prez Mahama tells Ghanaians in Germany – See more at|date=21 January 2015|website=Graphic Online|publisher=Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424025905/http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/37330-i-ve-been-named-mr-dumsor-in-ghana-prez-mahama-tells-ghanaians-in-germany.html|archive-date=24 April 2015|access-date=2 March 2015}}</ref> increasing the interest in renewables.<ref name="graphic1">{{cite web|url=http://graphic.com.gh/features/features/21105-ghana-s-power-crisis-what-about-renewable-energy.html|title=Ghana's power crisis: What about renewable energy?|publisher=graphic.com.gh|date=10 April 2014|access-date=8 February 2015|author=Agbenyega, E.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701211205/http://graphic.com.gh/features/features/21105-ghana-s-power-crisis-what-about-renewable-energy.html|archive-date=1 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2019, there is now a surplus of electricity which now presents a new set of financial challenges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/lessons-to-be-learnt-from-ghanas-excess-electricity-shambles-121257|title=Lessons to be learnt from Ghana's excess electricity shambles|last=Sarkodie|first=Samuel Asumadu|website=The Conversation|language=en|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>
===Economic transparency===
According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index of 2018, out of 180 countries, Ghana was ranked 78th, with a score of 41 on a scale where a 0–9 score means highly corrupt, and a 90–100 score means very clean. This was based on perceived levels of public sector corruption.<ref>{{cite web |title=OUR WORK IN Ghana |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/ghana |website=Transparency.org |publisher=Transparency International |language=en}}</ref>
In 2013, out of 177 countries, Ghana was ranked 63rd with [[Cuba]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] with a score of 46.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2013|url=https://issuu.com/transparencyinternational/docs/cpi2013_brochure_single_pages?e=2496456/5813913|publisher=Transparency International|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202175813/http://issuu.com/transparencyinternational/docs/cpi2013_brochure_single_pages?e=2496456%2F5813913|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously in 2012, the country ranked 64 and scored 45. Thus, Ghana's public sector scored lower in 2013 than in 2012, according to CPI's scores.
Local reports have claimed that Ghana loses US$4.5&nbsp;billion annually from [[Nominal GDP|nominal gross domestic product]] (Nominal GDP) growth as a result of economic corruption and economic crime by the incumbent [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress]] (NDC) [[government of Ghana]] led by [[John Dramani Mahama]].<ref name="Ghana Loses $4b Annually To Corruption">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessguideghana.com/?p=4781|title=Ghana Loses $4b Annually To Corruption|publisher=businessguideghana.com|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131204022555/http://www.businessguideghana.com/?p=4781|archive-date=4 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is also said Ghana has lost an additional US$2.5&nbsp;billion from [[Nominal GDP|nominal gross domestic product]] (Nominal GDP) growth between the months of January 2013 to October 2013 through economic corrupt practices under the [[List of Mahama government ministers|Mahama administration]].<ref name="Impeach Mahama">{{cite web|url=http://www.vibeghana.com/2013/10/30/impeach-mahama-over-gyeeda-subah-scandals-group/|title=Impeach Mahama over GYEEDA, SUBAH scandals – Group|publisher=vibeghana.com|date=30 October 2013|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212051105/http://vibeghana.com/2013/10/30/impeach-mahama-over-gyeeda-subah-scandals-group/|archive-date=12 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
The incumbent president is however seen to be fighting corruption by some government members,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahama more committed to fighting corruption than any past president – Apaak|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2013/December-11th/mahama-more-committed-to-fighting-corruption-than-any-past-president-apaak.php|publisher=My Joy Online|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119025958/http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2013/December-11th/mahama-more-committed-to-fighting-corruption-than-any-past-president-apaak.php|archive-date=19 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a fellow politician of an opposition party,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahama committed to fighting corruption – Mornah|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=298265|publisher=GhanaWeb|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201212013/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=298265|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> after ordering investigations into scandals. Nonetheless others believe his actions are not sufficient in some cases.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahama Fighting Corruption? NO ACTION ON ¢8BN MAPUTO SCANDAL-Over Three Years After Damning Report of malfeasance|url=http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/index.php/politics/963-mahama-fighting-corruption-no-action-on-8bn-maputo-scandal-over-three-years-after-damning-report-of-malfeasance|work=New Statesman|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126040756/http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/index.php/politics/963-mahama-fighting-corruption-no-action-on-8bn-maputo-scandal-over-three-years-after-damning-report-of-malfeasance|archive-date=26 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[John Addo Kufuor]], son of former President [[John Agyekum Kufuor]] and [[Kojo Annan]], son of former Secretary-General of the United Nations [[Kofi Annan]], have been named in association with the [[Panama Papers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://qz.com/653937/africa-loses-more-money-to-illicit-financial-flows-than-it-receives-in-foreign-aid/|title=Africa loses more money to illicit financial flows than it receives in foreign aid|first=Lily|last=Kuo|date=4 April 2016|access-date=24 April 2016|work=Quartz|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417060158/http://qz.com/653937/africa-loses-more-money-to-illicit-financial-flows-than-it-receives-in-foreign-aid/|archive-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>
===Science and technology===
Ghana was the first Southern-Saharan African country to launch a cellular mobile network (1992). It was one of the first countries in Africa to be connected to the internet and to introduce ADSL broadband services.<ref name="Ghanaweb">{{cite web|title=Science & Technology|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/technology/|publisher=Ghanaweb|date=24 June 2015|access-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623022534/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/technology/|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Space and satellite programmes===
The [[Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre]] (GSSTC) and Ghana Space Agency (GhsA) oversee the [[space exploration]] and [[space program]]mes of Ghana. GSSTC and GhsA worked to have a [[national security]] [[Earth observation satellite|observational satellite]] launched into orbit in 2015.<ref name="BBCSpace">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18739694|title=Africa's journey to space begins on the ground|year=2012|work=BBC News|location=United Kingdom|access-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613213302/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18739694|archive-date=13 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/a/1686704.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628032244/http://www.voanews.com/a/1686704.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2013|title=Ghana's Home-Grown Space Program Takes Off|year=2013|publisher=[[Voice of America]]|location=United States|access-date=24 June 2013}}</ref> The first practical step in its endeavor was a [[CanSat]] launched on 15 May 2013, a space programme spearheaded by the All Nations University College (ANUC) in Koforidua. The CanSat was deployed {{convert|200|m|abbr=off}} high from a helium-filled balloon and took some aerial images as well as temperature readings. As its next step in advancing space science and satellite technology in the sub-region, an amateur ground station has been designed and built by the university. It has successfully tracked and communicated with several (amateur) radio satellites in orbit including the [[International Space Station]], receiving [[slow-scan TV]] images on 18 and 20 December 2014. The miniaturized earth observational satellite is to be launched into orbit in 2017.<ref name="VOASpace">{{Citation|url=http://www.voanews.com/a/1686704.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628032244/http://www.voanews.com/a/1686704.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2013|title=Ghana's Home-Grown Space Program Takes Off|year=2013|publisher=Voice of America|access-date=24 June 2013}}</ref>
Ghana's annual space exploration expenditure has been 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP), to support research in science and technology. In 2012, Ghana was elected to chair the [[Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South]] (Comsats); Ghana has a joint effort in [[space exploration]] with South Africa's [[South African National Space Agency]] (SANSA).<ref name=BBCSpace/>
===Cybernetics and cyberwarfare===
{{See also|Sakawa}}
[[File:Wikimedia Outreach in Ghana 6.jpeg|thumb|[[Education in Ghana|Ghana education system's]] implementation of [[information and communications technology]] at the [[University of Ghana]]]]
The use of computer technology for teaching and learning began to receive [[government of Ghana]]'s attention from the late 1990s.<ref name="Pedagogical Integration of ICT: Ghana Report"/> The [[information and communications technology]] in education policy of Ghana requires the use of information and communications technology for teaching and learning at all levels of the [[Education in Ghana|education of Ghana]] system.<ref name="Pedagogical Integration of ICT: Ghana Report"/> The [[Ministry of Education (Ghana)|Ministry of Education]] (MOE) supports institutions in teaching of information and communications technology literacy.<ref name="Pedagogical Integration of ICT: Ghana Report"/> The majority of secondary, and some basic [[List of schools in Ghana|schools of Ghana]] have computer laboratories.<ref name="Pedagogical Integration of ICT: Ghana Report">K. D. MEREKU, I. Yidana, W. H. K. HORDZI, I. Tete-Mensah; Williams, J. B. (2009). Pedagogical Integration of ICT: Ghana Report. [http://www.ernwaca.org/panaf/pdf/phase-1/Ghana-PanAf_Report.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808202336/http://www.ernwaca.org/panaf/pdf/phase-1/Ghana-PanAf_Report.pdf |date=8 August 2014 }}</ref>
Ghana's intention to become the information technology hub of West Africa has led the government of Ghana to enact cyber crime legislation and enhance [[cyber security]] practices.<ref name="The Cyber Index – International Security Trends and Realities"/> Acting on that goal, in 2008 Ghana passed the ''Electronic Communications Act'' and the ''Electronic Transactions Act'', which established the legal framework for governing information technology.<ref name="The Cyber Index – International Security Trends and Realities"/> In November 2011, the Deputy [[Minister for Communications (Ghana)|Minister for Communications]] and Technology announced the development of a national cyber security strategy, aimed at combating [[cyber crime]] and securing critical infrastructure.<ref name="The Cyber Index – International Security Trends and Realities"/>
In June 2012, the [[National Information Technology Agency]] (NITA) announced a national [[computer emergency response team]] "strategy" designed to co-ordinate government response to cyber-attacks, both internal and external.<ref name="The Cyber Index – International Security Trends and Realities"/> The agency also established [[computer emergency response team]]s for each [[Districts of Ghana|municipal, metropolitan, and district assembly]] to improve co-ordination and information-sharing on [[Threat (computer)|cyberspace threats]].<ref name="The Cyber Index – International Security Trends and Realities">{{cite web|url=http://www.unidir.org/files/publications/pdfs/cyber-index-2013-en-463.pdf|title=The Cyber Index – International Security Trends and Realities|publisher=unidir.org|pages=63–64|year=2013|access-date=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610215601/http://www.unidir.org/files/publications/pdfs/cyber-index-2013-en-463.pdf|archive-date=10 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana is ranked 2nd in Africa and 7th globally in [[cyber warfare]], [[cyberterrorism|cyber-terrorism]], [[cyber crime]], and [[internet crime]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Cyber-crime-Ghana-2nd-in-Africa-7th-in-the-world-281095 |title=Cyber crime:Ghana 2nd in Africa, 7th in the world |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1 August 2013 |website=GhanaWeb |access-date=13 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200639/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Cyber-crime-Ghana-2nd-in-Africa-7th-in-the-world-281095 |archive-date=31 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
In 2018, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was founded. It is the national agency responsible for cybersecurity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Cyber Security Center {{!}} Securing Ghana's Digital Journey|url=https://cybersecurity.gov.gh/about|access-date=2021-06-22|website=cybersecurity.gov.gh}}</ref> In November 2020, Parliament passed the Cybersecurity Act 2020. The Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, indicated that, "a successful economy is hinged on a secured, safe and resilient national digital ecosystem. Cyber-security is, therefore, very critical to the economic development of the country and essential to the protection of the rights of individuals within the national digital ecosystem".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cybersecurity Act Passed to Promote & Regulate Cybersecurity Activities {{!}} Ministry of Communications|url=https://www.moc.gov.gh/cybersecurity-act-passed-promote-regulate-cybersecurity-activities|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www.moc.gov.gh}}</ref>


===Health and biotechnology===
== History ==
The [[Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine]] is an agency of the [[Ministry of Health (Ghana)|Ministry of Health]] that was set up in the 1970s for both [[Research and development|R&D]] and as a practical resource (product production & distribution/provision) primarily in areas of [[biotechnology]] related to [[medicinal plants]]. This includes both [[Herbalism|herbal medicine]] and work on more advanced applications. It also has a secondary role as an educational resource for foreign students in health, biotechnology and related fields.
In 1482, Portuguese colonists from the expedition of Diogu de Azambuja were first on the coast who built Elmina Castle, then Aksim Fortresses, Shama and others. The Portuguese exported gold (the country was then called the Golden Beach) and slaves. By the middle of the 19th century, the United Kingdom pushed out from the other European competitors from the Golden coast.


==Education==
==Sports==
{{Main|Education in Ghana}}
[[Association Football|Football]] is the most popular sport. The [[Ghana national football team|national men's football team]] is known as the Black Stars. The [[Ghana national under-20 football team|under-20 team]] is known as the Black Satellites. Ghana has been in many championships including the [[African Cup of Nations]], the [[FIFA World Cup]] and the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]. In the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], Ghana became the third African country to reach the quarter final stage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_50 |title=USA 1–2 Ghana (aet) |publisher=NEWS.BBC.co.uk |date=26 June 2009 |accessdate=26 June 2010}}</ref>  There are several club football teams in Ghana, which play in the [[Ghana Premier League]] and [[Ghana Football Leagues|Division One League]]. Both are managed by the [[Ghana Football Association]].


===Overview===
The country also has quite a few quality boxers such as [[Azumah Nelson]] a three time world champion, [[Nana Konadu|Nana Yaw Konadu]] also a three time world champion, [[Ike Quartey]], and [[Joshua Clottey]].<ref name="ghana culture"/>


Ghanaian education system is divided in three parts: Basic Education, secondary cycle, and tertiary education. "Basic Education" lasts 11 years (ages 4‒15).<ref name="GEScurr"/> It is divided into [[Kindergarten]] (2 years), Primary School (2 modules of 3 years) and Junior High (3 years). Junior High School (JHS) ends with the Basic Education Certificate Examination ([[BECE]]).<ref name="GEScurr">{{cite web|url=http://www.ges.gov.gh/?q=content/basic-education-curriculum-1|title=Basic Education Curriculum|publisher=Ghana Education Service|access-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195225/http://www.ges.gov.gh/?q=content%2Fbasic-education-curriculum-1|archive-date=25 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="GEScurr2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ges.gov.gh/?q=content/basic-education-curriculum|title=Basic curriculum Education: The junior High Education|publisher=Ghana Education Service|access-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605133413/http://ges.gov.gh/?q=content%2Fbasic-education-curriculum|archive-date=5 June 2014}}</ref> Once the BECE is achieved, the pupil can proceed to the secondary cycle.<ref name="BECE">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanawaec.org/EXAMS/BECE.aspx|title=BECE|access-date=6 June 2014|author=West African Examinations Council(corporate site: Ghana)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519130523/http://www.ghanawaec.org/EXAMS/BECE.aspx|archive-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> Hence, the pupil has the choice between general education (offered by the Senior High School) and vocational education (offered by the technical Senior High School or the Technical and Vocational Institutes). Senior High School lasts three years and leads to the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination ([[WASSCE]]), which is a prerequisite for enrollment in a university bachelor's degree programme.{{sfn|NUFFIC|2013|page=7}} Polytechnics are open to vocational students, from SHS or TVI.<ref name="UNEVOC">{{cite web|url=http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=GHA|title=Vocational Education in Ghana|publisher=UNESCO-UNEVOC|date=July 2012|access-date=23 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523230631/http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=GHA|archive-date=23 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>


A Bachelor's degree usually requires four years of study. It can be followed by a one- or two-year master's degree programme, which can be followed by a PhD programme of at least three years.{{sfn|NUFFIC|2013|page=9}} A polytechnic programme lasts two or three years.<ref name="UNEVOC"/> Ghana also possesses numerous colleges of education.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/3/3/2158244013497725 | title=A Descriptive Assessment of Higher Education Access, Participation, Equity, and Disparity in Ghana | publisher=SageOpen | date=23 July 2013 | access-date=23 May 2014 | author=Atuahene, Ansah | page=2 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516125627/http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/3/3/2158244013497725 | archive-date=16 May 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Some of the notable universities in Ghana are The University of Ghana, Legon, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and University of Cape Coast, just to mention a few.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-27|title=Top 10 Best Universities in Ghana|url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/top-10-best-universities-in-ghana/6pncyms|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Pulse Gh|language=en-US}}</ref> The Ghanaian education system from kindergarten up to an undergraduate degree level generally takes 20 years.<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System"/>
There are also notable games like Oware,Dame and the others which traces back to their Ancestry background.


The academic year usually goes from August to May inclusive.{{sfn|NUFFIC|2013|pages=4–5}} The school year in primary education lasts 40 weeks in Primary School and SHS and 45 weeks in JHS.{{sfn|NUFFIC|2013|pages=5}}
==Notable people==
*[[Kofi Annan]] - Former [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]]


===Writing System===
==Related pages==
* [[Ghana at the Olympics]]
* [[Ghana national football team]]
* [[List of rivers of Ghana]]


Modern Ghanaians use Adinkra Nkyea, a writing system based on the <ref name="Adinkra Nkyea">{{cite web |last1=Nkyea |first1=Adinkra |title=Adinkra Syllabary |url=https://omniglot.com/writing/adinkra.htm |publisher=Biswajit Mandal}}</ref> Adinkra Symbols. The Akan Language and it's dialects uses the Adinkra Nkyea writing system. Majority of Adinkra Nkyea is deprived from the original Adinkra Symbols. Adinkra Nkyea contains some 39 characters, 10 numerals, and 3 punctuation marks.[[File:Adinkra Characters.png|thumb|Adinkra Characters.]]<ref>[[File:Adinkra Characters.png|thumb|Adinkra Characters.]]</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Ghana -Language and Religion">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=language-and-religion|title=Ghana -Language and Religion|work=ghanaembassy.org|publisher=[[Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C.]]|accessdate=9 April 2012|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301155437/https://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=language-and-religion|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Enrollment===
<ref name="ghana culture">{{cite web |url=http://www.misswestafricaghana.com/culture/ |title=Ms.Ghana Culture |work=misswestafricaghana.com |accessdate=20 May 2012 |archive-date=9 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509040144/http://www.misswestafricaghana.com/culture/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{multiple image
| footer =
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| image1 = Ghana Ratio of Girls to Boys in Primary and Secondary Education.png
| width1 = 273
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| caption1 = Ratio of females to males in education system.
| image2 = Ghana Children Out Of School.png
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| caption2 = {{center|Females and males out of education system.}}
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}}
With over 95% of its children in school, Ghana currently has one of the highest school enrollment rates in all of Africa.<ref name="UNICEF – Basic Education and Gender Equality">{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/wcaro_GHA_MTSP2.pdf|title=UNICEF – Basic Education and Gender Equality|publisher=unicef.org|access-date=1 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803061043/http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/wcaro_GHA_MTSP2.pdf|archive-date=3 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-fragile-island-of-stabilityin-a-sea-of-turbulence/article1214628/|title=Africa|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=26 June 2010|location=Toronto|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107054024/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-fragile-island-of-stabilityin-a-sea-of-turbulence/article1214628/|archive-date=7 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The ratio of females to males in the total education system was 0.98, in 2014.<ref name="news.myjoyonline.com">{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ENR.PRSC.FM.ZS|title=Ratio of girls to boys in primary and secondary education|publisher=World Bank|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730232121/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ENR.PRSC.FM.ZS|archive-date=30 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Foreign students===
Ghana's education system annually attracts a large number of [[foreign student]]s particularly in the university sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/500636/1/plight-of-foreign-students-in-ghana.html|title=Plight of Foreign Students in Ghana|publisher=modernghana.com|date=2 November 2013|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813101531/http://www.modernghana.com/news/500636/1/plight-of-foreign-students-in-ghana.html|archive-date=13 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Nyarota, Geoffrey; Against the Grain; pp. 101–102.</ref>
===Funding of education===
The government largely funds basic education comprising public primary schools and public junior high schools. Senior high schools were subsidised by the government until September 2017/2018 academic year that senior high education became free.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/3870-free-shs-begins-in-september|title=Free SHS Begins in September – Government of Ghana|website=www.ghana.gov.gh|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216210954/http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/3870-free-shs-begins-in-september|archive-date=16 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> At the higher education level, the government funds more than 80% of resources provided to public universities, polytechnics and teacher training colleges.
As part of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education, Fcube, the government supplies all basic education schools with all their textbooks and other educational supplies like exercise books. Senior high schools are also provided with all their textbook requirement by the government. Private schools acquire their educational material from private suppliers.<ref name="KoinzerNikolai2017">{{cite book|first1=Thomas|last1=Koinzer|first2=Rita|last2=Nikolai|first3=Florian|last3=Waldow|title=Private Schools and School Choice in Compulsory Education: Global Change and National Challenge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=seAqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA143|year=2017|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-658-17104-9|page=143}}</ref>
===Kindergarten and education structure===
[[File:Ghana Education Structure.gif|thumb|{{center|Education structure of Ghana}}]]
The female and male ages 15–24 years literacy rate in Ghana was 81% in 2010, with males at 82%,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.MA.ZS/countries|title=Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15–24)|publisher=World Bank|access-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813172150/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.MA.ZS/countries|archive-date=13 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and females at 80%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.FE.ZS|title=Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15–24)|publisher=World Bank|access-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902192409/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.FE.ZS|archive-date=2 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ghanaian children begin their education at the age of three or four starting from [[kindergarten]] (nursery school and [[preschool]]), then to elementary school (primary school), high school ([[junior high school]] and [[senior high school]]) and finally university. The average age at which a Ghanaian child enters primary school is 6 years.<ref name="UNICEF – Basic Education and Gender Equality"/>


Ghana has a [[free education]] 6-year primary school education system beginning at age six,<ref name="Ghana Lauded for Free Primary School Program">{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/ghana-lauded-for-free-primary-school-program-139525918/159622.html|title=Ghana Lauded for Free Primary School Program|publisher=Voice of America|date=16 February 2012|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606211948/http://www.voanews.com/content/ghana-lauded-for-free-primary-school-program-139525918/159622.html|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and, under the educational reforms implemented in 1988 and reformed in 2007, they pass on to a 3-year junior high school system. At the end of the third year of junior high, there is a mandatory "[[Basic Education Certificate Examination]]". Those continuing must complete the 4-year senior high school programme (which has been changed to three years) and take an admission exam to enter any university or tertiary programme. The Ghanaian [[education system]] from nursery school up to an [[undergraduate degree]] level takes 20 years.<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System"/>
== External links ==
 
{{Commons category}}
In 2005, Ghana had 12,130 primary schools, 5,450 junior secondary schools, 503 senior secondary schools, 21 public training colleges, 18 technical institutions, two diploma-awarding institutions and 6 universities.<ref name="Education in Ghana">[http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/education/ Education in Ghana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228110108/http://ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/education/ |date=28 February 2014 }}. ghanaweb.com</ref><ref name="nab.gov.gh">{{cite web |url=http://www.nuffic.nl/international-organizations/docs/diploma-recognition/country-modules/country-module-ghana.pdf |title=Country module Ghana |access-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605171810/http://www.nuffic.nl/international-organizations/docs/diploma-recognition/country-modules/country-module-ghana.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2012 |ref={{harvid|NUFFIC|2013}} }}. nuffic.nl. [http://www.nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=182 What to know about the National Accreditation Board (NAB)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002205327/http://www.nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=182 |date=2 October 2013 }}. National Accreditation Board – Ghana. Retrieved 27 April 2010.</ref>
* [http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ Official Government Site]
 
* [http://allafrica.com/ghana/ Ghana in the news]
In 2010, there were relatively more females (53.0%) than males (40.5%) with primary school and JSS (junior secondary school) / JHS ([[junior high school]]) as their highest level of education.<ref name="Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census"/>
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023355.stm BBC's Profile on Ghana]
 
* {{CIA World Factbook link|gh|Ghana}}
===Elementary===
* [http://www.ghanaweb.com/ GhanaWeb portal]
The [[Ministry of Education (Ghana)|Ghanaian Ministry of Education]] and the [[National Accreditation Board (Ghana)|Ghanaian National Accreditation Board]] provide [[free education]] at the elementary school (primary school) level, and most Ghanaians have relatively easy access to high school education ([[junior high school]] and [[senior high school]]).<ref name="Ghana Lauded for Free Primary School Program"/> These numbers can be contrasted with the single university and handful of secondary and primary schools that existed at the time of independence in 1957. Ghana's spending on education has varied between 28 and 40% of its annual budget in the past decade. All teaching is done in English, mostly by qualified Ghanaian educators.<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System"/>
* [http://www.proghana.com/ ProGhana, One Community, One Business]
 
The courses taught at the primary or basic school level include English, Ghanaian language and culture, mathematics, environmental studies, social studies, [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]] and French as an [[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|OIF]] associated-member,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/Fcs_enjeu_21esiecle.pdf|title=Le français, enjeu du XXI siècle (French)|publisher=francophonie.org|access-date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110171236/http://www.francophonie.org/IMG/pdf/Fcs_enjeu_21esiecle.pdf|archive-date=10 January 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> integrated or [[general science]], pre-[[Vocational education|vocational]] skills and pre-[[Technical education|technical]] skills, religious and moral education, and physical activities such as Ghanaian music and dance, and [[physical education]].<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System"/>{{clear}}
 
===High school===
{{Further|List of senior secondary schools in Ghana}}
 
The senior high level school curriculum has core subjects and elective subjects of which students must take four the core subjects of English language, mathematics, integrated science (including science, agriculture and environmental studies) and [[social studies]] (economics, geography, history and government).<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System"/>
 
High school students also choose four elective subjects from five available programmes: agriculture programme, general programme (arts or science option), [[business program]]me, [[Vocational education|vocational]] programme and [[Technical education|technical]] programme.<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System">{{cite web|url=http://www.tobeworldwide.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809071841/http://www.tobeworldwide.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=4 |archive-date=9 August 2011 |title=A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System|publisher=TobeWorldwide.org}}</ref> Apart from most primary and secondary schools which choose the Ghanaian system of schooling, there are also international schools such as the [[Takoradi International School]], Tema International School, [[Galaxy International School, Accra|Galaxy International School]], The Roman Ridge School, [[Lincoln Community School]], Faith Montessori School, American International School, [[Alpha Beta Christian College]], Ghana Christian International High School, Association International School, New Nation School, SOS Hermann Gmeiner International College, Vilac International School, [[Akosombo International School]] (which offers Cambridge O level certificate), North Legon Little Campus and International Community School, which offer the [[International Baccalaureat]], [[Advanced Level General Certificate of Education]] and the [[International General Certificate of Secondary Education]] (IGCSE).<ref name="Education in Ghana"/>
 
===University===
{{multiple image
| align =right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = University of Education, Winneba (UEW) North Campus.jpg
| caption1 = Front view of the [[University of Education, Winneba]] (UEW) North Campus in Winneba
| image2 = Balme Library of University of Ghana.jpg
| caption2= Main entrance to the [[University of Ghana]]'s Balme Library in Accra
}}
{{Further|List of universities in Ghana}}
 
There are nine national public universities in Ghana: the [[University of Ghana]], [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]], [[University of Cape Coast]], [[University of Education, Winneba|University of Education]], [[University for Development Studies]], [[University of Mines and Technology]], [[University of Professional Studies, Accra]], [[University of Energy and Natural Resources]], and [[University of Health and Allied Sciences]].<ref>[http://www.nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=56&Itemid=184 Ghana public universities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530043115/http://nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=56&Itemid=184 |date=30 May 2014 }}. National Accreditation Board – Ghana. Retrieved 2 January 2011.</ref>
 
Ghana has a growing number of accredited private universities including [[Lancaster University, Ghana]], [[Ghana Technology University College]], [[Ashesi University College]], [[Methodist University College Ghana]], [[Central University College]], [[Accra Institute of Technology]], [[Regent University College of Science and Technology]], [[Valley View University]], [[Catholic University College of Ghana|Catholic University College]], [[Presbyterian University College]] and [[Zenith University College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=60&Itemid=185&limitstart=30 |title=Ghana private tertiary institutions offering degree program |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002212350/http://www.nab.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=60&Itemid=185&limitstart=30 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |publisher=National Accreditation Board – Ghana |access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
 
The oldest university in Ghana, the [[University of Ghana]], was founded in 1948. It had 29,754 students in 2008. It offers programmes in the arts, [[humanities]], business, and the [[social science]]s, as well as medicine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-ghana|title=University of Ghana|website=times higher education|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref> Many universities—including [[Harvard University]], [[Cornell University]], and [[Oxford University]]—have special study-abroad programmes with Ghanaian schools and provide their students the opportunity to study abroad at Ghanaian universities. [[New York University]] has a campus in Accra.<ref>{{cite web|title=NYU Accra|url=http://alumni.nyu.edu/s/1068/2col.aspx?sid=1068&gid=1&pgid=3397|work=NYU|access-date=2 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101022908/http://alumni.nyu.edu/s/1068/2col.aspx?sid=1068&gid=1&pgid=3397|archive-date=1 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The University of Ghana has seen a shift of its traditionally best students to the [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]].<ref name="University of Ghana">{{cite web|url=http://www.ug.edu.gh/index1.php?linkid=243&sublinkid=72 |title=University of Ghana |publisher=Ug.edu.gh |access-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729000402/http://www.ug.edu.gh/index1.php?linkid=243&sublinkid=72 |archive-date=29 July 2012 }}</ref> Since Ghana's independence, the country has been one of the most educational in sub-Saharan Africa. Former UN Secretary General [[Kofi Annan]] has been chancellor of the University of Ghana since 2008.<ref name="University of Ghana"/>
 
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the second university to be established in the country, is the premier university of science and technology in Ghana and West Africa.<ref name="A Brief History of the Ghanaian Educational System"/>
 
==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Ghana}}
{{Further|Ghanaian people}}
{{Historical populations|1950|5,036,000|1960|6,635,000|1970|8,735,000|1980|11,056,000|align=right|footnote=source:{{UN_Population|ref}}|1990|14,773,000|2000|19,279,000|2010|24,780,000|2019|30,418,000}}
[[File:Bevölkerungspyramide Ghana 2016.png|thumb|Population pyramid 2016]]
Ghana is a [[Multiethnic society|multiethnic country]].<ref name="Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census"/> The largest [[ethnic group]] is the [[Ashanti people]]. Ghana's territorial area within West Africa was unoccupied and uninhabited by humans until the 10th century BC.<ref name="A Historical Geography of Ghana">{{cite book|author=Dickson, Kwamina B.|title=A Historical Geography of Ghana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DRc4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA23|year=1969|publisher=CUP Archive|isbn=978-0-521-07102-4|pages=23–|access-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915160724/https://books.google.com/books?id=DRc4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA23|archive-date=15 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> By the 10th century AD, the [[Guang people|Guans]] were the first settlers in Ghana long before the other tribes came. [[Akan people|Akans]] had established [[Bonoman]] ([[Brong-Ahafo Region|Brong Ahafo]] region) and were joined by the current settlers and inhabitants by the 16th century.
 
In 2010, the population of Ghana was 72.2% Christian (24.3% [[Pentecostal]], 18.4% [[Protestant]], 13.1% [[Catholic]] and 11.4% other). Approximately 18.6% of the population of Ghana are [[Muslim]],<ref name="Ghana: CIA World FactBook"/> (51% [[Sunni]], 16% [[Ahmadiyya]], and 8% [[Shia]]).<ref name="religion2010"/><ref name="pew">{{cite web | url=http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-full-report.pdf | title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity | access-date=2 June 2014 | date=9 August 2012 | publisher=Pew Forum on Religious & Public life | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024125551/http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-full-report.pdf | archive-date=24 October 2012 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Just over 10,000 Ghanaians practise Hinduism, with most of them being indigenous converts. Hinduism in Ghana was popularized by Swami Ghana Nanda ji, who opened several temples in the nation. The temple of Lord Shiva in Accra is one of the largest where there are celebrations to Ganesh Chaturthi, Rath Yatra, and other Hindu observations.
 
The Bahá’í religious community, established in Ghana in 1951, today includes more than 100 communities and over 50 local Bahá’í administrative councils, called Local Spiritual Assemblies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/ghana |url-status=dead |title=The Bahá'í Community of Ghana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229144119/https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/ghana |archive-date=29 December 2019 |website=Bahai.org |access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>
 
{{as of|2014}}, there are 375,000 registered legal [[skilled worker]]s (permanent residents) or [[foreign worker]]s/students (i.e. [[Ghana Card]] holders) inhabitants with an annually 1.5&nbsp;million transited airport [[layover]]s. In its first post-colonial census in 1960, Ghana had a population of 6.7&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/ghana/33.htm |title=Ghana – population |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511100012/http://countrystudies.us/ghana/33.htm |archivedate=11 May 2011 |work=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]]}}</ref> The median age of Ghanaian citizens is 30 years old and the average household size is 3.6 persons. The Government of Ghana states that the [[official language]] of Ghana is English,<ref name="The Ghanaian Government states that English is the official language" /> and is spoken by 67.1% of the inhabiting population of Ghana.<ref name="Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census"/>
 
===Population===
{{Main|Ghana Immigration Service|Ghanaian nationality law}}
[[File:Ghana Card biometric.jpg|thumb|[[Ghana Card]] (Ghanaian electronic ID Card) – obverse with [[Biometric passport|chip]] ]]
 
{{as of|2019|6|22}}, Ghana has a population of 30,083,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ghana-population |title=Ghana Population (LIVE) |website=Worldometers |access-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705175928/https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ghana-population/ |archive-date=5 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around 29 percent of the population is under the age of 15, while persons aged 15–64 make up 57.8 percent of the population.<ref name="databank.worldbank.org">{{cite web |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=health-nutrition-and-population-statistics |title=Health Nutrition and Population Statistics – DataBank |website=databank.worldbank.org |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225150240/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=health-nutrition-and-population-statistics |archive-date=25 February 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The Ashanti Region had the most, ([[Akan people|Akan]]) ([[Ashanti people|Ashanti]]) (4.7&nbsp;million in [[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]], 2.3&nbsp;million in [[Brong-Ahafo Region|Brong-Ahafo]], 2.2&nbsp;million in [[Central Region (Ghana)|Central]], 2.6&nbsp;million in [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern]], 2.3&nbsp;million in [[Western Region (Ghana)|Western]], and 4&nbsp;million in the [[seat of government]] in [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] geographically and legally part of [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern]] then administered separately on 23 July 1982).<ref name="religion2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.islamicpopulation.com/africa/ghana/islam_in_ghana_report.htm |title=Islam in Ghana – Report |access-date=12 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019024808/http://www.islamicpopulation.com/africa/ghana/islam_in_ghana_report.htm |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=live  }}, {{cite web |url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/Census2010_Summary_report_of_final_results.pdf |title=2010 Population and Housing Census |access-date=12 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925192147/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/Census2010_Summary_report_of_final_results.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
{{As of|2010}}, 4.1&nbsp;million persons reside in the Northern territories (2.4&nbsp;million in [[Northern Region (Ghana)|Northern]], 1&nbsp;million in [[Upper East Region|Upper East]], and 0.7&nbsp;million in [[Upper West Region|Upper West]]).<ref name="religion2010"/>
 
{{As of|2010}}, 2.1&nbsp;million persons reside in [[Ewe people|Ewe]] territory [[Volta Region|Volta]].<ref name="religion2010"/>
{{bar box
|title=Ethnic Groups in Ghana
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Ethnic Groups
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Akan|darkgreen|47.5}}
{{bar percent|Mole-Dagbani|purple|16.6}}
{{bar percent|Ewe|red|13.9}}
{{bar percent|Ga-Dangme|black|7.4}}
{{bar percent|Gurma|orange|5.7}}
{{bar percent|Guan|darkblue|3.7}}{{bar percent|Grusi|white|2.5}}
{{bar percent|Mande|maroon|1.1}}
{{bar percent|Other|darkgray|1.4}}
}}
 
===Immigration===
{{Main|Immigration to Ghana|Illegal immigration in Ghana}}
Due to the recent legal immigration of [[skilled worker]]s who possess [[Ghana Card]]s, there is a small population of Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Middle Eastern and European nationals.
 
In 2010, the [[Ghana Immigration Service]] reported a large number of [[economic migrant]]s and [[Illegal immigrant]]s inhabiting Ghana: 14.6% (or 3.1&nbsp;million) of Ghana's 2010 population (predominantly [[Nigerians]], Burkinabe citizens, Togolese citizens, and Malian citizens). In 1969, under the "Ghana Aliens Compliance Order" (GACO) [[enactment of a bill|enacted]] by the [[Prime Minister of Ghana]] [[Kofi Abrefa Busia]];<ref name="Ghana Owes no Apology to Anybody for Aliens Compliance Order">{{cite web|url=http://vibeghana.com/2013/04/14/ghana-owes-no-apology-to-anybody-for-aliens-compliance-order/|title=Ghana Owes no Apology to Anybody for Aliens Compliance Order|publisher=vibeghana.com|date=14 April 2013|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927075540/http://vibeghana.com/2013/04/14/ghana-owes-no-apology-to-anybody-for-aliens-compliance-order/|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Government of Ghana with BGU ([[Border Guard Unit]]) [[Deportation|deported]] over 3,000,000 [[Alien (law)|aliens]] and [[illegal immigrant]]s in three months as they made up 20% of the population at the time.<ref name="Ghana Owes no Apology to Anybody for Aliens Compliance Order"/><ref name="The History of Ghana's 1969 Aliens Compliance Order">{{cite web|url=http://sites.davidson.edu/cis485/?p=3349 |title=The History of Ghana's 1969 Aliens Compliance Order |work=davidson.edu |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=31 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917165858/http://sites.davidson.edu/cis485/?p=3349 |archive-date=17 September 2013 }}</ref> In 2013, there was a mass deportation of illegal miners, more than 4,000 of them Chinese nationals.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2013-07-16-ghana-cracks-down-on-illegal-chinese-miners
|title=Ghana deports thousands of illegal Chinese miners
|work=[[Mail & Guardian]]
|date=16 July 2013
|access-date=9 May 2014
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231106/http://mg.co.za/article/2013-07-16-ghana-cracks-down-on-illegal-chinese-miners
|archive-date=12 May 2014
|url-status=live
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/15/ghana-deports-chinese-goldminers|title=Ghana deports thousands in crackdown on illegal Chinese goldminers|work=The Guardian|date=15 July 2013|access-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214119/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/15/ghana-deports-chinese-goldminers|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
===Languages===
{{main|Languages of Ghana}}
 
English is the [[official language]].<ref name="USA">{{cite web|title=The Bureau of Ghana Languages-BGL|url=http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=language-and-religion|publisher=Ghana Embassy Washington DC, USA|year=2013|access-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022204947/http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=language-and-religion|archive-date=22 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A handbook of varieties of English. 1. Phonology, Volume 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mtd3a-56ysUC&pg=PA847 |publisher=Oxford University Press |author=Bernd Kortmann Walter de Gruyter, 2004|year=2004|access-date=11 November 2013|isbn=978-3-11-017532-5 }}</ref>
 
Additionally, there are eleven languages that have the status of government-sponsored languages:
* [[Akan language]]s ([[Asante dialect|Asante Twi]], [[Akuapem Twi]], [[Fante dialect|Fante]] and [[Nzema language|Nzema]])
* [[Adangme language|Dangme]]
* [[Ewe language|Ewe]]
* [[Ga language|Ga]]
* [[Guan language|Guan]]
*[[Kasem language|Kasem]]
* [[Oti-Volta languages|Mole-Dagbani]] languages ([[Dagaare]] and [[Dagomba language|Dagbanli]])<ref name="NCA">{{cite web|title=The Bureau of Ghana Languages-BGL|url=http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=331&page=2&sectionid=602|publisher=National Commission on Culture|year=2006|access-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112001558/http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=331&page=2&sectionid=602|archive-date=12 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Study of Ghanaian Languages|url=http://www.africa.upenn.edu/K-12/Study_16156.html|publisher=africa.upenn.edu|access-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112001739/http://www.africa.upenn.edu/K-12/Study_16156.html|archive-date=12 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Of these, [[Asante dialect|Asante Twi]] is the most widely spoken.<ref name="Introduction To The Verbal and Multi-Verbalsystem of Akan">{{cite web|title=Introduction to the Verbal and Multi-Verbalsystem of Akan|url=http://www.ling.hf.ntnu.no/tross/osam.pdf|work=ling.hf.ntnu.no|year=2013|access-date=16 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085659/http://www.ling.hf.ntnu.no/tross/osam.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2014}}</ref>
 
Due to Ghana being surrounded by [[French-speaking countries]], French is widely taught in schools and universities, as well as a language used for commercial and international economic exchanges and is spoken in some regions. Since 2006, Ghana has been an associate member of the [[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeux.francophonie.org/etats-invites/ghana|title=Ghana – Jeux de la francophonie|website=www.jeux.francophonie.org|access-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131331/https://www.jeux.francophonie.org/etats-invites/ghana|archive-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> the global organisation that unites French-speaking countries (84 nations on 6 continents). In 2005, over 350 000 Ghanaian children studied French in schools. Since then, its status has progressively been updated to a mandatory language in every high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lalettrediplomatique.fr/contribution_detail.php?id=20&idrub=67&idrubprod=262|title=La Lettre Diplomatique – La revue des Relations internationales et diplomatiques depuis 1988 – La Francophonie et le Ghana|website=www.lalettrediplomatique.fr|access-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211072205/http://www.lalettrediplomatique.fr/contribution_detail.php?id=20&idrub=67&idrubprod=262|archive-date=11 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is in the process of becoming an official language.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/africa/1588566/ghanas-president-wants-french-as-a-second-language/|title=Ghana's president wants to make French a formal language, but it's not a popular plan |work=QZ.com |date=7 April 2019 |last=Asiedu |first=Kwasi Gyamfi |access-date=21 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/bi/strategy/ghana-adopts-french-as-its-second-official-language/eg77s29|title=Ghana adopts French as its second official language |website=pulse.com |date=21 March 2019|access-date=21 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
[[Ghanaian Pidgin English]] (GhPE), also known as Kru English (or, in [[Akan language|Akan]], ''kroo brofo''), is a variety of [[West African Pidgin English]] spoken mainly in Accra and in the southern towns.<ref name="Huber 1999 p139">Magnus Huber, ''Ghanaian Pidgin English in its West African Context'' (1999), page 139</ref> GhPE can be divided into two varieties, referred to as "uneducated" or "non-institutionalized" pidgin and "educated" or "institutionalized" pidgin, the former associated with uneducated or illiterate people and the latter acquired and used in institutions such as universities.<ref name="Huber 1999 p138-153">Huber (1999), pp. 138–153</ref>
 
===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Ghana}}
 
{| class="wikitable floatleft"
|+ style="font-size:110%;" | Religious affiliation in Ghana
|-
! Affiliation !! 2000 Census<ref name="Census2010"/>!! 2010 Census<ref name="Census2010"/><ref name="Library publications">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/|title=Ghana|work=The World Factbook|access-date=15 May 2007}}</ref>!! 2014 DHS Survey<ref name="DHS 2014">{{cite web|url=https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR307/FR307.pdf|title=Ghana: Demographic and Health Survey, 2014|publisher=Ghana Statistical Service & Ghana Health Service|page=32|access-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428035012/https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR307/FR307.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group="note" name="DHS2014">The DHS survey surveyed only those between the ages of 15 and 59</ref>
|-
| Christian || 68.8% || 71.2% || 76.9%
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:30px;"| [[Pentecostal]]/[[Charismatic Christianity|Charismatic]] || 24.1% || 28.3% || 36.3%
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:30px;"| [[Protestant]] || 18.6% || 18.4% || 13.5%<ref group="note" name="DHS2014 Protestant">The DHS survey used Anglican/Methodist/Presbyterian in place of "Protestant"</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:30px;"| [[Catholic]] || 15.1% || 13.1% || 10.4%
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:30px;"| Other Christian || 11.0% || 11.4% || 16.7%
|-
| [[Muslim]] || 15.9% ||17.6% || 16.4%
|-
| Traditional || 8.5% || 5.2% || 2.6%<ref group="note" name="DHS2014 Other">The DHS survey combined "Traditional" with "Spiritualist"</ref>
|-
| [[Irreligion|None]] || 6.1% || 5.3% || 4.3%
|-
| Other || 0.7% || 0.8% || 0.0%
|-
| colspan="4"| '''Notes'''
<references group="note"/>
|}
{{clear}}
 
Ghana is a largely Christian country, although a sizable Muslim minority exists. Traditional (indigenous) beliefs are also practised.
 
The fertility rate of Ghana declined from 3.99 (2000) to 3.28 (2010) with 2.78 in urban region and 3.94 in rural region.<ref name="statsghana.gov.gh"/> The United Nations reports a fertility decline from 6.95 (1970) to 4.82 (2000) to 3.93 live births per woman in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fertility rate, total (births per woman), Ghana, 1960 – present |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=GH |website=World Bank |access-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622190721/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN%3Flocations%3DGH |archive-date=22 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
===Mortality===
Life expectancy at birth in 2020 was 71 for a female and 65 for a male.<ref name="CDC">{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/countries/ghana/pdf/Ghana_Factsheet.pdf |title=CDC in Ghana |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=August 2019 |access-date=21 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The top ten causes of death in Ghana in 2018 were:<ref name="CDC" />
# Malaria
# Lower respiratory infections
# Neonatal disorders
# Ischemic heart disease
# Stroke
# HIV/AIDS
# Tuberculosis
# Diarrheal diseases
# Road injuries
# Diabetes
 
=== Crime ===
{{Main|Crime in Ghana}}
 
Crime in Ghana is investigated by the [[Ghana Police Service]]. Ghana had [[List of countries by intentional homicide rate|a murder rate]] of 1.68 per 100,000 population in 2011.<ref name="UNODCnew">{{Cite web|url=https://dataunodc.un.org/crime/intentional-homicide-victims|title=Intentional homicide victims {{!}} Statistics and Data|website=dataunodc.un.org|access-date=7 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726024322/https://dataunodc.un.org/crime/intentional-homicide-victims|archive-date=26 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
===Universal health care and life expectancy===
{{Main|National Health Insurance Scheme (Ghana)|l1=NHIS|Health in Ghana}}
{{Further|Eye care in Ghana|Optometry in Ghana}}
 
Ghana has a [[universal health care]] system strictly designated for [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian nationals]], National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhis.gov.gh/|title=National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)|publisher=nhis.gov.gh|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516205524/http://nhis.gov.gh/|archive-date=16 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Health care is very variable throughout Ghana and in 2012, over 12&nbsp;million Ghanaian nationals were covered by the [[National Health Insurance Scheme (Ghana)]] (NHIS).<ref name="Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)">{{cite web |url=http://jointlearningnetwork.org/content/national-health-insurance-scheme-nhis |title=Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) |publisher=jointlearningnetwork.org |access-date=10 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213346/http://jointlearningnetwork.org/content/national-health-insurance-scheme-nhis |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Urban centres are well served, and contain most of the hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Ghana. There are over 200 hospitals in Ghana and Ghana is a destination for [[medical tourism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eturbonews.com/10800/medical-tourism-emerging-market-ghana|title=Medical tourism is emerging market for Ghana|publisher=eturbonews.com|date=5 August 2009|access-date=10 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224254/http://www.eturbonews.com/10800/medical-tourism-emerging-market-ghana|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> In 2010, there were 0.1 physicians per 1,000 people and {{as of|2011|lc=y}}, 0.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people.<ref name="databank.worldbank.org"/>
 
The 2014 estimate of [[life expectancy]] at birth had increased to an average of 65.75 years with males at 63.4 years and females at 68.2 years,<ref name="CIAlife2013">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2102.html |title=Field Listing – Life expectancy at birth |publisher=CIA World Factbook |access-date=24 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528191952/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2102.html |archive-date=28 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2013 [[infant mortality]] decreased to 39 per 1,000 live births.<ref name="Listing: Infant mortality rate">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html |title=Field Listing – Infant mortality rate |publisher=CIA World Factbook |access-date=24 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119041333/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html |archive-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sources vary on life expectancy at birth; the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 62 years for men and 64 years for women born in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/countries/gha/en/ |title=Ghana Statistics |publisher=World Health Organization |year=2019 |access-date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927001635/https://www.who.int/countries/gha/en/ |archive-date=27 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
There was an estimation of 15 physicians and 93 nurses per 100,000 persons in 2010.<ref name="afro.who.int">{{cite web |url=http://www.afro.who.int/home/countries/fact_sheets/ghana.pdf |title=Afro.who.int |publisher=Afro.who.int |access-date=4 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111084659/http://www.afro.who.int/home/countries/fact_sheets/ghana.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2010 }}</ref> 5.2% of Ghana's GDP was spent on health in 2010,<ref name="Field Listing: Health expenditures">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2225.html Field Listing :: Health expenditures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326095442/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2225.html|date=26 March 2014}}. Retrieved 24 June 2013.</ref> and all [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian]] [[Citizenship|citizens]] have the right to access [[primary health care]].<ref name="Bill Gates Ghana">{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/bill-gates-africa-visit-847307-Mar2013/|title=These are the countries where I'm the least known" – Bill Gates visits Ghana|publisher=thejournal.ie|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306142836/http://www.thejournal.ie/bill-gates-africa-visit-847307-Mar2013/|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2020, the [[WHO]] announced Ghana became the second country in the WHO African Region to attain regulatory system "maturity level 3", the second-highest in the four-tiered WHO classification of [[National medicines regulatory systems]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/ghana-bolsters-medicines-regulatory-system-guarantees-product-quality.html|title=Ghana bolsters medicines regulatory system, guarantees product quality|publisher=World Health Organization|date=13 May 2020|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520001950/https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/ghana-bolsters-medicines-regulatory-system-guarantees-product-quality|archive-date=20 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
{{As of|2012}}, the [[HIV/AIDS]] prevalence was estimated at 1.40% among adults aged 15–49.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html|title=Library publications|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221190412/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html|archive-date=21 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear right}}
 
==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Ghana}}
[[File:FB 20151104 19 47 22 Saved Picture(1).jpg|thumb|[[Hogbetsotso festival]] in the [[Volta region]]]]
Ghanaian culture is a diverse mixture of the practices and beliefs of many different [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian]] ethnic groups. The 2010 census reported that the largest ethnic groups are the Akan (47.3 percent), the Mole-Dagbani (16.6 percent), the Ewe (13.9 percent), the Ga-Dangme (7.4 percent), the Gurma (5.7) and the Guan (3.7 percent).<ref name="statsghana.gov.gh">{{cite web |title=2010 Population & Housing Census: National Analytical Report |publisher=Ghana Statistical Service |date=May 2013 |url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/National_Analytical_Report.pdf |access-date=23 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712212518/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/National_Analytical_Report.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The Akan make up a majority of the population in the Central (81.7 percent), Western (78.2 percent), Ashanti (74.2 percent), Brong Ahafo (58.9 percent) and Eastern (51.1 percent) regions.<ref name="statsghana.gov.gh"/>
 
===Food and drink===
{{Main|Ghanaian cuisine}}
 
[[Ghanaian cuisine]] and [[gastronomy]] is diverse, and includes an assortment of [[soup]]s and [[stew]]s with varied seafoods and most Ghanaian soups are prepared with vegetables, meat, poultry or fish.<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup"/> Fish is important in the Ghanaian [[Diet (nutrition)|diet]] with [[tilapia]], roasted and fried [[whitebait]], [[smoked fish]] and [[crayfish]] all being common components of Ghanaian dishes.<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup"/>
 
[[Banku]] ([[akple]]) is a common Ghanaian [[starch]]y food made from ground corn (maize),<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup"/> and cornmeal based staples, kɔmi ([[kenkey]]) and banku (akple) are usually accompanied by some form of [[fried fish]] (chinam) or grilled tilapia and a very spicy condiment made from raw red and green [[Chili pepper|chillies]], onions and tomatoes ([[pepper sauce]]).<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup"/> Banku and tilapia is a combo served in most Ghanaian restaurants.<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup">{{cite web|url=http://www.kadirecipes.com/2011/10/22/banku-and-okra-soup/|title=Ghanaian cuisine, dokonu, banku, okra and soup|publisher=kadirecipes.com|first=Oumoupoo|last=Bah|date=22 October 2011|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121174204/http://www.kadirecipes.com/2011/10/22/banku-and-okra-soup/|archive-date=21 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Fufu]] is the most common exported Ghanaian dish, in that it is a delicacy across the [[African diaspora]].<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup"/>
 
===Literature===
The Ghanaian national literature radio programme and accompanying publication ''[[Voices of Ghana]]'' was one of the earliest on the African continent. The most prominent Ghanaian authors are novelists; [[J. E. Casely Hayford]], [[Ayi Kwei Armah]] and [[Nii Ayikwei Parkes]], who gained international acclaim with the books, ''[[Ethiopia Unbound]]'' (1911), ''[[The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born]]'' (1968) and ''Tail of the Blue Bird'' (2009), respectively.<ref name="LIT">{{cite web |work= Amadeus |url= http://www.amadeus.net/home/destinations/es/guides/gh/cul.htm |title= Ghana |language= es |access-date= 1 August 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150223225901/https://www.amadeus.net/home/destinations/es/guides/gh/cul.htm |archive-date= 23 February 2015 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref> In addition to novels, other literature arts such as Ghanaian theatre and poetry have also had a very good development and support at the national level with prominent Ghanaian playwrights and poets [[Joe de Graft]] and [[Efua Sutherland]].<ref name="LIT"/>
Much of the 2016 novel ''[[Homegoing (Gyasi novel)|Homegoing]]'' by Ghanaian-born American writer [[Yaa Gyasi]] takes place in Ghana.
 
===Adinkra===
{{Main|Adinkra symbols}}
[[File:Adinkra motifs Rattray 1927.jpg|thumb|[[Adinkra symbols]] by [[Robert Sutherland Rattray]]]]
 
During the 13th century, Ghanaians developed their unique art of ''[[Adinkra symbols|adinkra]]'' printing. Hand-printed and hand-[[Embroidery|embroidered]] adinkra clothes were made and used exclusively by the then Ghanaian royalty for devotional ceremonies. Each of the [[Motif (visual arts)|motifs]] that make up the [[Text corpus|corpus]] of adinkra symbolism has a name and meaning derived from a proverb, a historical event, human attitude, [[ethology]], [[plant life-form]], or [[shape]]s of [[inanimate]] and man-made objects. These are graphically rendered in stylised geometric shapes. The meanings of the motifs may be categorised into [[aesthetics]], ethics, [[Interpersonal relationship|human relations]], and concepts.<ref name="LIT"/>
 
The Adinkra symbols have a decorative function as tattoos but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment. There are many different symbols with distinct meanings, often linked with [[proverb]]s. In the words of [[Anthony Appiah]], they were one of the means in a pre-literate society for "supporting the transmission of a complex and nuanced body of practice and belief".<ref>{{cite book|last=Appiah|first=Kwame Anthony|title=In my father's house : Africa in the philosophy of culture|year=1993|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-19-506852-8|edition=1.paperbackedition 1993.|author-link=Anthony Appiah}}</ref>
 
===Traditional clothing===
{{Main|Kente cloth}}
[[File:Kent wove.jpg|thumb|upright|Kente cloth, the traditional or national cloth of Ghana, is worn by most southern Ghanaian ethnic groups including the [[Akan people|Akan]], the [[Ga-Adangbe people|Ga]], and the [[Ewe people|Ewe]].]]
Along with the ''Adinkra cloth'' Ghanaians use many different cloth fabrics for their traditional attire.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> The different ethnic groups have their own individual cloth. The most well known is the [[Kente]] cloth.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> Kente is a very important Ghanaian [[national costume]] and clothing and these cloths are used to make traditional and modern Ghanaian Kente [[attire]].<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth">{{cite web |url=http://www.kentecloth.net/ghanaian-kente-cloth/ |title=Ghanaian Kente Cloth |publisher=kentecloth.net |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607002652/http://www.kentecloth.net/ghanaian-kente-cloth/ |archive-date=7 June 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
 
Different symbols and different colours mean different things.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> [[Kente cloth|Kente]] is the most famous of all the Ghanaian cloths.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> Kente is a ceremonial cloth hand-woven on a horizontal [[Loom|treadle loom]] and strips measuring about 4&nbsp;inches wide are sewn together into larger pieces of cloths.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> Cloths come in various colours, sizes and designs and are worn during very important social and religious occasions.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/>
 
In a cultural context, kente is more important than just a cloth and it is a visual representation of history and also a form of written language through weaving.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> The term kente has its roots in the Akan word ''kɛntɛn'' which means a basket and the first kente weavers used raffia fibres to weave cloths that looked like kenten (a basket); and thus were referred to as ''kenten ntoma''; meaning basket cloth.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/> The original Akan name of the cloth was ''nsaduaso'' or ''nwontoma'', meaning "a cloth hand-woven on a loom"; however, "kente" is the most frequently used term today.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth"/>
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===Modern clothing===
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Contemporary Ghanaian fashion includes traditional and modern styles and fabrics and has made its way into the African and global fashion scene. The cloth known as [[African waxprints|African print fabric]] was created out of Dutch wax textiles. It is believed that in the late 1800s, Dutch ships on their way to Asia stocked with machine-made textiles that mimicked Indonesian Batik stopped at many West African ports on the way. The fabrics did not do well in Asia. However, in West Africa – mainly Ghana where there was an already established market for cloths and textiles – the client base grew and it was changed to include local and traditional designs, colours and patterns to cater to the taste of the new consumers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrendesign.com/the-story-behind-african-wax-print-cloth/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925182125/http://thewrendesign.com/the-story-behind-african-wax-print-cloth/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2010|title=The Story Behind African Wax Print Cloth|publisher=Thewrendesign.com|date=10 July 2008|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref>
Today outside of Africa it is called "Ankara" and it has a client base well beyond Ghana and Africa as a whole. It is very popular among Caribbean peoples and African Americans; celebrities such as [[Solange Knowles]] and her sister [[Beyoncé]] have been seen wearing African print attire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fashionmagazine.com/scene/red-carpet-society/2013/04/05/beyonce-vs-solange-prints//|first=Erin|last=Wilson|title=Beyonce vs. Solange: Which Sister Wears Bold Prints Best|work=Fashionmagazine.com|date=5 April 2013|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216230934/http://www.fashionmagazine.com/scene/red-carpet-society/2013/04/05/beyonce-vs-solange-prints/|archive-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Many designers from countries in North America and Europe are now using African prints and it has gained a global interest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munaluchibridal.com/african-inspired-spring-2012-collections-takes-over-lfw-nyfw/|title=African-Inspired Spring 2012 Collections Takes Over LFW & NYFW|author=ChiomaChinweoke|publisher=munaluchibridal.com|date=21 September 2011|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216214432/http://munaluchibridal.com/african-inspired-spring-2012-collections-takes-over-lfw-nyfw/|archive-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> British luxury fashion house [[Burberry]] created a collection around Ghanaian styles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/african-style-finds-global-following-but-little-support-from-african-leaders/|title=African Style Goes Global, Despite Little Tangible Support From African Leaders|first=Frankie|last=Edozien|work=The New York Times|date=26 May 2012|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910140503/http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/african-style-finds-global-following-but-little-support-from-african-leaders/|archive-date=10 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> American musician [[Gwen Stefani]] has repeatedly incorporated African prints into her clothing line and can often be seen wearing it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okayafrica.com/news/design-gwen-stefanis-l-a-m-b-spring-2011-collection/ |title=Design: Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B Spring 2011 Collection |publisher=Okayafrica.com |date=3 August 2011 |access-date=24 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216220100/http://www.okayafrica.com/news/design-gwen-stefanis-l-a-m-b-spring-2011-collection/ |archive-date=16 December 2014 }}</ref> Internationally acclaimed Ghanaian-British designer [[Ozwald Boateng]] introduced African print suits in his 2012 collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africanprintinfashion.com/2012/09/african-icons-show-at-nyfw-ozwald.html|title=African Icons Show at NYFW: Ozwald Boateng|publisher=Africanprintinfashion.com|date=10 September 2012|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216215105/http://www.africanprintinfashion.com/2012/09/african-icons-show-at-nyfw-ozwald.html|archive-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
===Music and dance===
{{Main|Music of Ghana|Azonto|Kpanlogo}}
[[File:Traditional Adowa dance form and music performance.ogv|thumb|Traditional [[Adowa dance]] form and music performance.]]
 
The [[music of Ghana]] is diverse and varies between different ethnic groups and regions. Ghanaian music incorporates several distinct types of musical instruments such as the talking drum ensembles, [[Akan Drum]], [[goje]] fiddle and <!--No Wikipedia article for [[koloko]]-->koloko lute, court music, including the Akan [[Seperewa]], the Akan atumpan, the Ga kpanlogo styles, and log [[xylophone]]s used in asonko music.<ref name="Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife"/> The most well known genres to have come from Ghana are African jazz, which was created by Ghanaian artist [[Guy Warren|Kofi Ghanaba]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200902120888.html|title=Ghana: Kofi Ghanaba – Influential Drummer Who Emphasised the African Origins of Jazz|date=12 February 2009|publisher=Ghanaian Chronicle|access-date=30 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008182524/http://allafrica.com/stories/200902120888.html|archive-date=8 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and its earliest form of secular music, called [[highlife]].<ref name="Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldmusic.net/guide/ghana-from-highlife-to-hiplife/|title=Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife|publisher=worldmusic.net|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607004721/http://www.worldmusic.net/guide/ghana-from-highlife-to-hiplife/|archive-date=7 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Highlife originated in the late 19th century and early 20th century and spread throughout West Africa.<ref name="Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife"/> In the 1990s a new genre of music was created by the youth incorporating the influences of highlife, Afro-reggae, [[dancehall]] and [[hip hop music|hip hop]].<ref name="Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife"/> This hybrid was called [[hiplife]].<ref name="Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife"/> Ghanaian artists such as "Afro Roots" singer, activist and songwriter [[Rocky Dawuni]], R&B and soul singer [[Rhian Benson]] and [[Sarkodie (rapper)|Sarkodie]] have had international success.<ref name="Rhian Benson's global soul sound">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/01/ghana.rhian.benson/|title=Rhian Benson's global soul sound|publisher=CNN|date=1 March 2011|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204320/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/01/ghana.rhian.benson/|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sarkodie">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/sarkodie/|title=Sarkodie|publisher=ghanacelebrities.com|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520121459/http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/sarkodie/|archive-date=20 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2015, Rocky Dawuni became the first Ghanaian musician to be nominated for a Grammy award in the [[Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album]] category for his 6th studio album titled ''Branches of The Same Tree''<ref>{{cite web|title=Branches of the Same Tree album|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/branches-of-the-same-tree/id963525098|publisher=iTunes|access-date=16 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307063130/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/branches-of-the-same-tree/id963525098|archive-date=7 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> released 31 March 2015.
 
Ghanaian dance is as diverse as its music, and there are traditional dances and different dances for different occasions.<ref name="Dance, Ghana">{{cite web|work=Temple|url=http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/students/fulbright/documents/mfa_dance_ghana.pdf|title=Dance, Ghana|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226065738/http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/students/fulbright/documents/mfa_dance_ghana.pdf|archive-date=26 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The most known Ghanaian dances are those for celebrations. These dances include the [[Adowa dance|Adowa]], [[Kpanlogo]], [[Azonto]], [[Klama]], [[Agbadza]], [[Borborbor]] and [[Bamaya]].<ref name="Dance, Ghana"/>
 
The Nana Otafrija Pallbearing Services, also known as the [[Dancing Pallbearers]], come from the coastal town of [[Prampram]] in the Greater Accra Region of southern Ghana. The group of pallbearers were featured in a BBC feature story in 2017, and footage from the story became part of an Internet meme in the wake of the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 world pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 April 2020|title=How Prampram pallbearers became an international sensation – and a meme|url=https://www.theghanareport.com/how-prampram-pallbearers-became-an-international-sensation-and-a-meme/|access-date=11 June 2020|website=The Ghana Report|language=en}}</ref>
 
===Film===
{{Main| Cinema of Ghana}}
 
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Ghana has a budding and thriving film industry. Ghana's film industry dates as far back as 1948 when the Gold Coast Film Unit was set up in the Information Services Department.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gold Coast Film Unit|url=http://www.colonialfilm.org.uk/production-company/gold-coast-film-unit|publisher=Colonialfilm.org.uk|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117123221/http://colonialfilm.org.uk/production-company/gold-coast-film-unit|archive-date=17 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Some internationally recognised films have come from Ghana. In 1970, ''I Told You So'' was one of the first Ghanaian films to receive international acknowledgement and received great reviews from ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{IMDb title|65873|I Told You So}}</ref> It was followed by the 1973 Ghanaian and Italian production ''The African Deal'' also known as "''Contratto carnale''" featuring [[Bahamian American]] actor [[Calvin Lockhart]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The African Deal (1973)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069917/|website=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226173418/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069917/|archive-date=26 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 1983's ''Kukurantumi: the Road to Accra'', a Ghanaian and German production directed by King Ampaw, was written about by famous American film critic [[Vincent Canby]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kukurantumi The Road To Accra (1983)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804EFDE1F39F932A35757C0A962948260|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1 April 1984|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410144701/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804EFDE1F39F932A35757C0A962948260|archive-date=10 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1987, ''[[Cobra Verde]]'', another Ghanaian and German production directed by [[Werner Herzog]], received international acclamation and in 1988, ''Heritage Africa'' won more than 12 film awards.
 
In recent times there have been collaborations between Ghanaian and Nigerian crew and cast and a number of productions turned out. Many Ghanaian films are co-produced with [[Cinema of Nigeria|Nollywood]], the Nigerian film industry, and some are distributed by Nigerian marketers. Also, Nigerian filmmakers often feature Ghanaian actors and actresses in their movies and Ghanaian filmmakers feature Nigerian actors and actresses in theirs. [[Nadia Buari]], [[Yvonne Nelson]], [[Lydia Forson]] and [[Jackie Appiah]] all popular Ghanaian actresses and [[Van Vicker]] and [[Majid Michel]] both popular Ghanaian actors, have starred in many Nigerian movies. As a result of these collaborations, Western viewers often confuse Ghanaian movies with Nollywood and count their sales as one; however, they are two independent industries that sometimes share ''Nollywood''. In 2009, [[Unesco]] described Nollywood as the second-biggest film industry in the world after [[Bollywood]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7086248.ece |title=Nollywood success puts Nigeria's film industry in regional spotlight |work=The Times|first=Jonathan|last=Clayton|date=3 April 2010|access-date=3 April 2010}}</ref>
 
Though The Ghana Film Industry had a downtrend for almost a decade mainly because of low input in production this scenario has drastically change. New and emerging young film makers are adding spice to the already rich Ghana movie scene. Bliz Bazawule,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Burial of Kojo(2018)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7497366/}}</ref> Peter Sedufia,<ref>{{cite web|title=Aloe Vera(2020)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12027832/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4}}</ref> Joseph Clef<ref>{{cite web|title=Till Sunset(2019) |url=https://filmfreeway.com/JosephClefAboah}}</ref> and many others have shown the world the new age of filming in Ghana.
 
===Media===
{{Main|Media of Ghana}}
[[File:Ghana Trustworthiness of Media.jpg|thumb|Ghana mass media, news and information provided by television.]]
 
The [[media of Ghana]] are amongst the most free in Africa. Chapter 12 of the 1992 [[Constitution of Ghana]] guarantees [[freedom of the press]] and independence of the media, while Chapter 2 prohibits censorship.<ref name="gov">{{cite web|url=http://ghana.gov.gh/ghana/constitution_republic_ghana.jsp |title=Constitution of Ghana |access-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324233340/http://ghana.gov.gh/ghana/constitution_republic_ghana.jsp |archive-date=24 March 2008 }}, ''Government of Ghana''.</ref> Post-independence, the government and media often had a tense relationship, with private outlets closed during the military governments and strict media laws that prevented criticism of government.<ref name="Anokwa">Anokwa, K. (1997). In ''Press Freedom and Communication in Africa.'' Erbio, F. & Jong-Ebot, W. (Eds.) Africa World Press. {{ISBN|978-0-86543-551-3}}.</ref>
 
Press freedoms were restored in 1992, and after the election in 2000 of [[John Kufuor|John Agyekum Kufuor]] the tensions between the private media and government decreased. Kufuor supported press freedom and repealed a [[Defamation|libel]] law, but maintained that the media had to act responsibly.<ref name="pr">[http://www.pressreference.com/Fa-Gu/Ghana.html Basic Data] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116031932/http://www.pressreference.com/Fa-Gu/Ghana.html |date=16 January 2009 }}. pressreference.com</ref> The Ghanaian media has been described as "one of the most unfettered" in Africa, operating with little restriction. The private press often carries criticism of government policy.<ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023355.stm#media BBC Country Profile: Ghana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615131247/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023355.stm#media |date=15 June 2006 }}, [[BBC News]].</ref>
 
===Sports===
{{Main|Sports in Ghana}}
{{See also|Ghana at the 2010 Winter Olympics|l1=Ghana at the Winter Olympics|Ghana at the Olympics}}
[[File:20150331 Mali vs Ghana 042.jpg|thumb|left|Black Stars, the [[Ghana national football team]].]]
 
[[Association football]] is the top spectator [[Sports in Ghana|sport in Ghana]] and the [[Ghana national football team|national men's football team]] is known as the Black Stars, with the [[Ghana national under-20 football team|under-20 team]] known as the [[Black Satellites]].<ref name="Ghana thrilled by historic title"/> Ghana has won the [[African Cup of Nations]] four times, the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]] once, and has participated in three consecutive [[FIFA World Cup]]s in 2006, 2010, and 2014.<ref name="Ghana thrilled by historic title">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8311948.stm |title=Ghana thrilled by historic title |publisher=BBC |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=6 June 2014}}</ref> In the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], Ghana became the third African country to reach the quarter-final stage of the World Cup after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_50 |title=USA 1–2 Ghana (aet) |publisher=BBC |date=26 June 2009 |access-date=26 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617074443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_50 |archive-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Ghana national U-20 football team, known as the ''Black Satellites'', is considered to be the feeder team for the [[Ghana national football team]]. Ghana is the first and only country on the [[African continent|Africa continent]] to be crowned [[2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup|FIFA U-20 World Cup Champions]],<ref name="Ghana thrilled by historic title"/> and two-time runners up in [[1993 FIFA World Youth Championship|1993]] and [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship|2001]]. The Ghana national U-17 football team known as the Black Starlets are two-time [[FIFA U-17 World Cup]] champions in [[1991 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1991]] and [[1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1995]], two-time runners up in [[1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1993]] and [[1997 FIFA World Youth Championship|1997]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesw/wyc16hist.html |title=World Championship for U-16/U-17 Teams |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050826132748/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesw/wyc16hist.html |archive-date=26 August 2005 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
[[File:Black Stars Goal Celebration (Ghana national football team).jpg|thumb|Black Stars [[goal celebration]].]]
 
Ghanaian [[football team]]s [[Asante Kotoko S.C.|Asante Kotoko SC]] and [[Accra Hearts of Oak S.C.|Accra Hearts of Oak SC]] are the 5th and 9th best [[football team]]s on the [[African continent|Africa continent]] and have won a total of five Africa continental association football and [[Confederation of African Football]] trophies; Ghanaian football club [[Asante Kotoko SC]] has been crowned two-time [[CAF Champions League]] winners in [[1970 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1970]], [[1983 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1983]] and five-time CAF Champions League runners up, and Ghanaian football club [[Accra Hearts of Oak SC]] has been crowned [[2000 CAF Champions League]] winner and two-time CAF Champions League runners up, 2001 [[CAF Super Cup]] champions and [[2004 CAF Confederation Cup]] champions.<ref name="Africa's club of the Century"/> The [[International Federation of Football History and Statistics]] crowned Asante Kotoko SC as the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#Continental Clubs of the 20th century|African club of the 20th century]].<ref name="Africa's club of the Century">{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/?c813f0e03790c443e0f40390b41be8b01f05fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb883dcfc5ff0b|title=Africa's club of the Century|work=IFFHS official website|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921110231/http://www.iffhs.de/?c813f0e03790c443e0f40390b41be8b01f05fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb883dcfc5ff0b|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> There are several club football teams in Ghana that play in the [[Ghana Premier League]] and [[Ghana Football Leagues|Division One League]], both administered by the [[Ghana Football Association]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/premierleague/|title=Premier League|publisher=ghanafa.org|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531130339/http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/premierleague/|archive-date=31 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
[[File:2010 Opening Ceremony - Ghana entering.jpg|thumb|left|Ghanaian [[winter sport]]s Olympic team at the [[opening ceremony]] of the 2010 [[Winter Olympics]]]]
Ghana competed in the Winter Olympics in 2010 for the first time. Ghana qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics, scoring 137.5 [[International Ski Federation]] points, within the qualifying range of 120–140 points.<ref name="0-21">{{cite web|url=http://www.0-21.co.uk/index.php/200903133581/News/Rider/Base-Camp-Sponsored-Ghanaian-skier-Kwame-NkrumahAcheampong-has-qualified-for-2010-Olympics.html|title=Base Camp Sponsored Ghanaian skier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong has qualified for 2010 Olympics|publisher=0–21 Snowboarding|date=13 March 2009|access-date=26 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002102230/http://www.0-21.co.uk/index.php/200903133581/News/Rider/Base-Camp-Sponsored-Ghanaian-skier-Kwame-NkrumahAcheampong-has-qualified-for-2010-Olympics.html|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Ghanaian [[Skiing|skier]], [[Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong]], nicknamed "The [[snow leopard]]", became the first [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian]] to take part in the [[Winter Olympics]], at the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] held in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, Canada,<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|last=Dutta|first=Kunal|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/forget-eric-the-eel-meet-the-snow-leopard-1806888.html|title=Forget Eric the Eel... meet the Snow Leopard|work=[[The Independent]]|date=22 October 2009|access-date=26 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104181112/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/forget-eric-the-eel-meet-the-snow-leopard-1806888.html|archive-date=4 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> taking part in the [[slalom skiing]].<ref name="Vancouver 2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/athletes/kwame-nkrumah-acheampong_ath1076551ZG.html |title=Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, Alpine Skiing |publisher=Vancouver, 2010 |access-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219204633/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/athletes/kwame-nkrumah-acheampong_ath1076551ZG.html |archive-date=19 February 2010 }}</ref> Ghana finished 47th out of 102 participating nations, of whom 54 finished in the [[Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's slalom|Alpine skiing slalom]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/schedule-and-results/mens-slalom-2nd-run_asm020102kP.html |title=Men's Slalom – Run 2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408202557/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/schedule-and-results/mens-slalom-2nd-run_asm020102kP.html |archive-date=8 April 2010 |website=Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games official website |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/schedule-and-results/mens-slalom-1st-run_asm020101Je.html |title=Men's Slalom |publisher=Vancouver, 2010 |access-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408234256/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/schedule-and-results/mens-slalom-1st-run_asm020101Je.html |archive-date=8 April 2010 }}</ref> [[Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong]] broke on the international [[skiing]] circuit, being the second [[Black people|black African]] skier to do so.<ref name="Ghana's first winter Olympian">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ghanas-first-winter-olympian-gears-199086|title=Ghana's first winter Olympian gears up for Vancouver Games|first=Chris|last=Wilson|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=3 February 2010|access-date=26 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525193326/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ghanas-first-winter-olympian-gears-199086|archive-date=25 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Ghana's last medal at the [[Summer Olympics]] dates back to 1992.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Liam |last1=Morgan |title=Ghana Olympic Committee President claims country will not win a medal at Tokyo 2020|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1097466/no-chance-of-ghana-winning-medal-tokyo |access-date=6 November 2020 |work=[[Inside the Games]] |date=19 August 2020}}</ref> Ghanaian athletes have won a total of four Olympics medals in thirteen appearances at the [[Summer Olympics]], three in [[boxing]], and a [[bronze medal]] in association football, and thus became the first country on the [[African continent|Africa continent]] to win a medal at association football.<ref name="Ghana Olympic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9451954.stm|title=Ghana clinging to Olympic dream|work=BBC News|date=8 April 2011|access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>
 
Ghana competes in the [[Commonwealth Games]], sending athletes in every edition since [[1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1954]] (except for the [[1986 Commonwealth Games|1986 games]]). Ghana has won fifty-seven medals at the Commonwealth Games, including fifteen gold, with all but one of their medals coming in athletics and boxing.
 
The country has also produced a number of world class boxers, including [[Azumah Nelson]] a three-time world champion and considered as Africa's greatest [[boxer]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/07/sport/azumah-nelson-boxing-ghana/|title=Is Azumah Nelson Africa's greatest boxer?|first=Errol|last=Barnett|author-link=Errol Barnett|publisher=CNN|date=10 August 2012|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213758/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/07/sport/azumah-nelson-boxing-ghana/|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Top 5 Ghanaian Boxers"/> [[Nana Konadu|Nana Yaw Konadu]] also a three-time world champion,<ref name="Top 5 Ghanaian Boxers"/> [[Ike Quartey]],<ref name="Top 5 Ghanaian Boxers"/> and [[Joshua Clottey]].<ref name="Top 5 Ghanaian Boxers">{{cite news|url=http://www.proboxing-fans.com/boxing-101/best-of-a-nation/top-5-ghanaian-boxers/|title=Top 5 Ghanaian Boxers|publisher=proboxing-fans.com|access-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606222940/http://www.proboxing-fans.com/boxing-101/best-of-a-nation/top-5-ghanaian-boxers/|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Ghana's women's football team won bronze at the [[Africa Women Cup of Nations]] 2016 edition in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The team beat South Africa 1–0.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2016/12/02/Banyana-go-down-to-Ghana-in-womens-Afcon-bronze-medal-match|title=Banyana go down to Ghana in women's Afcon bronze-medal match|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205151234/http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2016/12/02/Banyana-go-down-to-Ghana-in-womens-Afcon-bronze-medal-match|archive-date=5 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Ghana featured a men's national team in [[beach volleyball]] that competed at the [[2018–2020 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Continental Cup Finals start in Africa|url=https://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/continental-cup-finals-start-in-africa?id=94414 |accessdate=7 August 2021 |work=[[FIVB]] |date=22 June 2021}}</ref>
 
Ghana will host the [[2023 African Games]] in [[Accra]].{{clear}}
 
===Cultural heritage and architecture===
{{See also|Ghana's material cultural heritage|List of museums in Ghana|l2=Ghanaian museums}}
[[File:A drone footage of Accra central, Ghana.jpg|thumb|Modern [[skyscraper]]s in [[Accra]], the capital.]]
There are two types of Ghanaian traditional construction: the series of adjacent buildings in an enclosure around a common are common and the traditional round huts with grass roof.<ref name="ARC">{{cite web |work = Countriesquest |url = http://www.countriesquest.com/africa/ghana/culture/art_and_architecture.htm |title = Culture, Art and Architecture: Ghana |access-date = 10 May 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150304203925/http://www.countriesquest.com/africa/ghana/culture/art_and_architecture.htm |archive-date = 4 March 2015 |url-status=live |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The round huts with grass roof architecture are situated in the northern regions of Ghana ([[Northern Region (Ghana)|Northern]], [[Upper East Region|Upper East]] and [[Upper West Region|Upper West]] regions), while the series of adjacent buildings are in the southern regions of Ghana ([[Ashanti Region|Ashanti]], [[Brong-Ahafo Region|Brong-Ahafo]], [[Central Region (Ghana)|Central]], [[Eastern Region (Ghana)|Eastern]], [[Greater Accra Region|Greater Accra]] and [[Western Region (Ghana)|Western]] regions).<ref name="ARC"/>
 
Ghanaian [[postmodern architecture]] and [[high-tech architecture]] buildings are predominant in the Ghanaian southern regions, while the Ghanaian [[heritage site]]s are most evident by the more than thirty [[fort]]s and castles built in Ghana. Some of these forts are [[Fort William (fort)|Fort William]] and [[Fort Amsterdam (Ghana)|Fort Amsterdam]]. Ghana has museums that are situated inside castles, and two are situated inside a fort.<ref name="Museums and Monuments Board"/> The [[Armed Forces Museum (Ghana)|Military Museum]] and the [[National Museum of Ghana|National Museum]] organise temporary exhibitions.<ref name="Museums and Monuments Board">{{cite web |url=http://www.ghanamuseums.org/index.php |title=Ghana Museums and Monuments Board |access-date=10 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130235605/http://www.ghanamuseums.org/index.php |archive-date=30 January 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
 
Ghana has museums that show a in-depth look at specific [[Regions of Ghana|Ghanaian regions]], there are a number of museums that provide insight into the traditions and history of their own geographical area in Ghana.<ref name="Museums and Monuments Board"/> The [[Cape Coast Castle]] Museum and St. Georges Castle ([[Elmina Castle]]) Museum offer [[guided tour]]s. The [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology|Museum of Science and Technology]] provides its visitors with a look into the domain of Ghanaian [[Science|scientific]] development, through exhibits of objects of scientific and [[Technology|technological]] interest.<ref name="Museums and Monuments Board"/>
 
===National symbols===
[[File:Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) 1.jpg|thumb|{{center|The [[tawny eagle]] appears on the [[coat of arms of Ghana]].}}]]
The [[Coat of arms of Ghana|coat of arms]] depicts two animals: the [[tawny eagle]] (''[[Aquila rapax]]'', a very large [[Bird of prey|bird]] that lives in the savannas and deserts;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arkive.org/tawny-eagle/aquila-rapax/|title=Tawny eagle videos, photos and facts – Aquila rapax|website=Arkive|language=en-GB|access-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201195143/http://www.arkive.org/tawny-eagle/aquila-rapax/|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> 35% of Ghana's [[Land mass|landmass]] is [[desert]], 35% is forest, 30% is [[savanna]]) and the lion (''[[Panthera leo]]'', a [[big cat]]); a [[ceremonial sword]], a [[heraldic]] castle on a heraldic sea, a [[cocoa tree]] and a [[mine shaft]] representing the [[industrial mineral]] wealth of Ghana, and a five-pointed black star rimmed with gold representing the mineral gold wealth of Ghana and the lodestar of the [[Ghanaian people]].<ref name="Ghana National Emblems"/> It also has the legend ''Freedom and Justice''.<ref name="Ghana National Emblems">{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaembassy.be/about-ghana/national-emblems.html|title=Ghana National Emblems|publisher=ghanaembassy.be|access-date=24 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627030326/http://www.ghanaembassy.be/about-ghana/national-emblems.html|archive-date=27 June 2013}}</ref>
 
The [[flag of Ghana]] consists of three horizontal bands (strips) of red (top), gold (middle) and green (bottom); the three bands are the same height and width; the middle band bears a five-pointed black [[star]] in the centre of the gold band, the colour red band stands for the blood spilled to achieve the nation's independence: gold stands for Ghana's [[industrial mineral]] wealth, and the colour green symbolises the rich [[tropical rainforest]]s and natural resources of Ghana.<ref name="Ghana flag and description">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/africa/ghana.htm|title=Ghana flag and description|publisher=worldatlas.com|access-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224131743/http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/africa/ghana.htm|archive-date=24 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana National Emblems"/>{{clear}}
 
{{wide image|Panorama view of Kakum Nationalpark.jpg|600px|align-cap=center| Panorama view of [[Kakum National Park]], located in the coastal environs of the [[Central Region (Ghana)|Central region]] on the [[Gulf of Guinea]] and Atlantic Ocean, covers an area of {{convert|375|km2}}. Established in 1931 as a [[game reserve]] and [[nature reserve]], it was [[gazetted]] as a national park only in 1992 after an initial survey of [[Bird|avifauna]] was conducted. The national park is covered with tropical rainforest.<ref name=Parks>{{cite web|url=http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2010-073.pdf|title=Parks and reserves of Ghana: Management Effectiveness Assessment of Protected Areas|access-date=14 July 2014|publisher=IUCN Organization|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107201234/http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2010-073.pdf|archive-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Unesco>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1396/|title=Kakum National Park (Assin Attandanso Reserve) (#)|access-date=14 July 2014|publisher=UNESCO Organization|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802203931/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1396/|archive-date=2 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NGO>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsfere.org/en/kakum-national-park/index.htm|title=Kakum National Park|access-date=14 July 2014|publisher=Microsfere Organization|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107214241/http://www.microsfere.org/en/kakum-national-park/index.htm|archive-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kakum National Park]] is the only national park in Africa with a [[canopy walkway]], which is {{convert|350|m}} long and connects seven [[Canopy (biology)|canopy]] tree [[Crown (botany)|tops]] which provides access to the [[rainforest]]s.<ref name=Unesco/><ref name=Life>{{cite web|url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=6324|title=Kakum National Park – Assin Attandaso Resource Reserve|access-date=14 July 2014|publisher=Bird Life organization|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101020828/http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=6324|archive-date=1 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
{{clear}}
 
===National landmarks===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="3"| Tourism Landmarks, National Border, Region and Terrestrial plain of the 4th Republic of Ghana
|-
|colspan="2"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#71b37b;width:5px" |
|[[Geography of Ghana#Low Plains|Coastal Plain]]
| [[Accra]], [[Apam]], [[Cape Coast]], [[Elmina]], [[Kakum National Park]], [[Kokrobite]], [[Nzulezo]], [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], [[Ada Foah]]
| The [[Gulf of Guinea]] [[coastal plain]] with the [[seat of government]] and capital city, several castles and forts and the best preserved [[rainforest]] in Ghana
 
|-
| style="background:#64a0c7;width:5px" |
|[[Geography of Ghana#Ashanti Uplands|Ashanti-Kwahu]]
| [[Koforidua]], [[Kumasi]], [[Obuasi]], [[Sunyani]]
| Forested hills and the ancient [[Kingdom of Ashanti]]
 
|-
| style="background:#bf88bf;width:5px" |
|[[Volta Basin]]
| [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]]
| massive and world's largest [[Lake Volta]], the river system that feeds it and Ghana eastern [[border crossing]]
 
|-
| style="background:#b2be9b;width:5px" |
|[[Geography of Ghana#High plains|Northern Plains]]
| [[Wa, Ghana|Wa]], [[Bolgatanga]], [[Mole National Park]]
| [[Savanna]] plains and north Ghana [[trade route]] and [[border crossing]]
|}
|rowspan="12"|[[File:Ghana Regions map.png|upright=1.35|thumb|center|{{center|Map of Ghana with [[national border]], [[geographical region]]s and [[Plain|terrestrial plains]] colour-coded}}]]
|- style="background:#eee;"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|'''Settlements'''
|-
|border = "1"|[[Accra]]
|style="text-align:center;"| [[Seat of Government]] and Capital city.
|-
|border = "1"|[[Bolgatanga]]
|style="text-align:center;"| [[Paga Crocodile Pond]] location.
|-
|border = "1"|[[Cape Coast]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Cape Coast Castle]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage site]].
|-
|border = "1"|[[Elmina]]
|style="text-align:center;"| Coastal town with [[Elmina Castle]].
|-
|border = "1"|[[Koforidua]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Aburi Botanical Gardens]] location.
|-
|border = "1"|[[Kumasi]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Traditional centre of the [[Kingdom of Ashanti]].
|-
|border = "1"|[[Obuasi]]
|style="text-align:center;"|World's 9th largest [[gold mine]] location; and [[Mining town]].
|-
|border = "1"|[[Sekondi-Takoradi]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Renowned [[surfing]] beaches such as [[Busua Beach]],<ref name="11 of the world's most unusual surf spots">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/13/travel/unusual-surf-spots/|title=11 of the world's most unusual surf spots|work=edition.cnn.com|publisher=CNN|first=Tamara|last=Hinson|date=28 August 2014|access-date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411081223/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/13/travel/unusual-surf-spots/|archive-date=11 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[UNESCO World Heritage site]]s.
|-
|border = "1"|[[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Largest settlement in the [[Kingdom of Dagbon]] and gateway to [[Mole National Park]].
|-
|border = "1"|[[Yendi, Ghana|Yendi]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Traditional Capital of the [[Kingdom of Dagbon]] and seat of [[Yaa Naa]].
|}
 
==See also==
{{Portal|Africa}}
* [[Index of Ghana-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Ghana]]
 
{{-}}
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* Arhin, Kwame, ''The Life and Work of Kwame Nkrumah'' (Africa Research & Publications, 1995)
* Babatope, Ebenezer, ''The Ghana Revolution: From Nkrumah to Jerry Rawlings'' (Fourth Dimension Publishing, 1982)
* Birmingham, David, ''Kwame Nkrumah: Father Of African Nationalism'' ([[Ohio University Press]], 1998)
* Boafo-Arthur, Kwame, ''Ghana: One Decade of the Liberal State'' ([[Zed Books]], 2007)
* Briggs, Philip, ''Ghana (Bradt Travel Guide)'' (Bradt Travel Guides, 2010)
* Clark, Gracia, ''African Market Women: Seven Life Stories from Ghana'' ([[Indiana University Press]], 2010)
* [[Basil Davidson|Davidson, Basil]], ''Black Star: A View of the Life and Times of Kwame Nkrumah'' ([[James Currey]], 2007)
* [[Toyin Falola|Falola, Toyin]], and Salm, Stephen J, ''Culture and Customs of Ghana'' (Greenwood, 2002)
* Grant, Richard, ''Globalizing City: The Urban and Economic Transformation of Accra, Ghana'' (Syracuse University Press, 2008)
* Hadjor, Kofi Buenor, ''Nkrumah and Ghana'' (Africa Research & Publications, 2003)
* Hasty, Jennifer, ''The Press and Political Culture in Ghana'' (Indiana University Press, 2005)
* [[C. L. R. James|James, C.L.R.]], ''Kwame Nkrumah and the Ghana Revolution'' ([[Allison & Busby]], 1977)
* Kuada, John, and Chachah Yao, ''Ghana. Understanding the People and their Culture'' (Woeli Publishing Services, 1999)
* Miescher, Stephan F, ''Making Men in Ghana'' (Indiana University Press, 2005)
* Milne, June, ''Kwame Nkrumah, A Biography'' (Panaf Books, 2006)
* Nkrumah, Kwame, ''Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah'' (International Publishers, 1971)
* Utley, Ian, ''Ghana – Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture'' (Kuperard, 2009)
* Various, ''Ghana: An African Portrait Revisited'' (Peter E. Randall Publisher, 2007)
* Younge, Paschal Yao, ''Music and Dance Traditions of Ghana: History, Performance and Teaching'' (Mcfarland & Co Inc., 2011)
* {{cite book|first1=Laura|last1=Burke|author2=Armando García Schmidt|title=Ghana: Staying on Track in a Challenging Environment|publisher=Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung, Gütersloh|year=2013|isbn=978-3-86793-491-6|pages=127–147}}
{{refend}}
 
==External links==
{{Sister project links|b=y|commons=Ghana|n=y|q=y|s=y|v=y |voy= y}}
 
===Government===
* [http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ Ghana] official website
* [http://www.parliament.gh/ The Parliament of Ghana] official site
* [http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/ National Commission on Culture] official site
 
===General information===
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023355.stm Country Profile] from [[BBC News]]
* [http://www.britannica.com/place/Ghana Ghana] from ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080607084858/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/ghana.htm Ghana] from UCB Libraries GovPubs
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/ Ghana]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141129112144/http://www.africa.com/ghana/ Ghana] profile from [[Africa.com]]
* {{curlie|Regional/Africa/Ghana}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Ghana}}
* [http://www.ghanayello.com/ Ghana Directory]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170202113229/http://www.haotags.com/ Ghana News]
* The [http://africanactivist.msu.edu/ African Activist Archive Project] website has photographs of the All Africa People's Conference held in Accra, Ghana, 5–13 December 1958 including [http://africanactivist.msu.edu/image.php?objectid=476 Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of Ghana], addressing the conference, the [http://africanactivist.msu.edu/image.php?objectid=85 American Committee on Africa delegation] meeting with Nkrumah, and of [http://africanactivist.msu.edu/image.php?objectid=470 Patrick Duncan and Alfred Hutchinson] of South Africa at the conference.
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=GH Key Development Forecasts for Ghana] from [[International Futures]]
 
===Trade===
* [http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/GHA/Year/2012/Summary Ghana 2012 Summary Trade Statistics]
 
{{Ghana topics}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Articles relating to Ghana
|list =
{{Years in Ghana}}
{{Ghana governments}}
{{Navboxes
|title = International membership
|list =
{{ECOWAS}}
{{Non-Aligned Movement}}
{{African Union}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[File:Gnome-globe.svg|25px]]{{nbsp}}Geographic locale
|list =
'''[[Geographic coordinate system|Lat. <small>and</small> Long.]] {{Coord|5|33|N|0|12|W|display=inline}} <span style="color:darkblue;">(Accra)</span>'''<br />'''[[Geographic coordinate system|Lat. <small>and</small> Long.]] {{Coord|6|40|N|1|37|W|display=inline}} <span style="color:darkblue;">(Kumasi)</span>'''
{{Countries of Africa}}
}}
}}


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{{Commonwealth nations}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Ghana| ]]
[[Category:Commonwealth republics]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:Economic Community of West African States]]
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[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
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