Ghana: Difference between revisions
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| established_event8 = Independence from the [[Commonwealth realm|British rule]] as a [[Dominion of Ghana|Dominion]] |
| established_event8 = Independence from the [[Commonwealth realm|British rule]] as a [[Dominion of Ghana|Dominion]] |
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| established_date8 = 6 March 1957 |
| established_date8 = 6 March 1957 |
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| established_event9 = United Nations Security Council Resolution 124|Admitted]] to the [[United Nations]] |
| established_event9 = [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 124|Admitted]] to the [[United Nations]] |
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| established_date9 = 8 March 1957 |
| established_date9 = 8 March 1957 |
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| established_event10 = Republic declared |
| established_event10 = Republic declared |
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[[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: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]].]] |
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[[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]].]] |
[[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]].]] |
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Ghana is a [[Unitary executive theory|unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[Liberal democracy|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 [[1992 Ghanaian presidential election|presidential]] and [[1992 Ghanaian parliamentary election|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 is elected by [[universal suffrage]] |
Ghana is a [[Unitary executive theory|unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[Liberal democracy|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 [[1992 Ghanaian presidential election|presidential]] and [[1992 Ghanaian parliamentary election|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 is elected by [[universal suffrage]] |
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[[Nana Akufo-Addo]] won the presidency in the [[2016 Ghanaian general election|general election in 2016]], defeating incumbent [[John Mahama]]. He also won the [[2020 Ghanaian general election|2020 election]] after the presidential election results were challenged at the Supreme Court by flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama. Presidents are limited to two four-year terms in office. The president can serve a second term only upon re-election. |
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The 2012 [[Fragile States Index]] indicated that Ghana is ranked the 67th-least fragile state in the world and the fifth-least fragile state in 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 corrupt and politically corrupt country in the world out of all 174 countries ranked and ranked as the fifth-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 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> |
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===Foreign relations=== |
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{{main|Foreign relations of Ghana}} |
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[[File:Kofi Annan at OYW.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kofi Annan]], Ghanaian diplomat and United Nations Secretary-General 1997–2006]] |
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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> |
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Ghana has a strong relationship with the United States. Three recent U.S. presidents—[[Bill Clinton]], [[George W. Bush]], and [[Barack Obama]] and a Vice President — [[Kamala Harris]] made diplomatic trips to Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-26 |title=US Vice President Kamala Harris' full speech upon arrival in Ghana - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-full-speech-upon-arrival-in-ghana/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329174643/https://www.myjoyonline.com/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-full-speech-upon-arrival-in-ghana/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 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]], as well as 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/> |
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In September 2010, 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]].<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|Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China]], [[Zhou Tienong]] who visited Ghana and met with Ghana's President [[John 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> Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] met with Mahama in 2013 to hold discussions on strengthening the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and also co–chair a bilateral meeting between Ghana and Iran at the Ghanaian [[presidential palace]] [[Jubilee 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> |
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The [[Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana|Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)]] were integrated into Ghana's development agenda and the budget. According to reports, the SDGs were implemented through a decentralized planning approach. This allows for stakeholders' participation, such as in 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 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517021851/https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/ghana |url-status=live}}</ref> The 17 SDGs are a global call to action to end poverty among others, and the 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 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918144931/https://ghana.un.org/en/sdgs |url-status=live}}</ref> According to the President [[Nana Akufo-Addo]], 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 |archive-date=30 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430020854/https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/sdgs-implementation-ghana-will-be-a-shinning-example-akufo-addo.html |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Military=== |
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[[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.]] |
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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> President 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 |last=Kacowicz |first=Arie M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=itXKj0EY9zwC&pg=PA144 |title=Zones of Peace in the Third World: South America and West Africa |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7914-3957-9 |page=144 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404105201/https://books.google.com/books?id=itXKj0EY9zwC&pg=PA144 |url-status=live}}</ref> In his book ''[[Shake Hands with the Devil (book)|Shake Hands with the Devil]]'', [[Canadian Armed Forces|Canadian Forces]] commander [[Roméo Dallaire]] highly rated the GAF soldiers and military personnel.<ref name="Canada's Military Assistance" /> |
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The [[military operation]]s and [[military doctrine]] of the GAF are conceptualised in the constitution, Ghana's Law on Armed Force Military Strategy, and [[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] 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]].<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 being 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> |
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===Law enforcement=== |
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{{further|Law enforcement in Ghana|Crime in Ghana}} |
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[[File:Ghana Police Service Motorbikes.jpg|thumb|[[Militarized police]] Unit of the [[Ghana Police Service]]]] |
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The [[Ghana Police Service]] and the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] are the main law enforcement agencies, 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]] and [[Ghana Police Service#Marine Police Unit|Marine Police Unit]].<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 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 Marine Police Unit and Division handles issues that arise from the country's offshore [[oil and gas industry]].<ref name=POLICE/> |
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The [[Ghana Prisons Service]] and the sub-division [[Borstal Institute for Juveniles]] administers incarceration.<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> 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>[[File:Drugtrade.png|thumb|Ghana is among the sovereign states of West Africa used by [[drug cartel]]s and drug traffickers (shown in orange).]] |
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Ghana is used as a key narcotics 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 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> There is not a wide or popular knowledge about the narcotics industry and intercepted narcotics within Ghana, since it is an [[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 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 [[Narcotics Control Board (Ghana)|Narcotics Control Board]] has impounded container ships 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 [[Ghanaian cedi|Ghana cedis]]. 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" /> [[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" /> President Mills initiated ongoing efforts to reduce the role of airports in Ghana's drug trade.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade" /> |
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=== Human rights === |
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{{see also|Human rights in Ghana|LGBT rights in Ghana}} |
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[[Homosexuality|Homosexual acts]] are prohibited by law in Ghana.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2016 |title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |url-status=live |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}}</ref> According to a 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 elderly [[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 exist what are called [[witch camp]]s. These are said to house a total of around 1,000 people accused of witchcraft.<ref name="Camps">{{cite web |date=1 September 2012 |title=Ghana witch camps: Widows' lives in exile |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19437130 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020122329/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19437130 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |access-date=21 July 2018 |publisher=BBC News |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Ghanaian government has announced that it intends to close the camps.<ref name="Camps" /> |
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==Economy== |
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{{main|Economy of Ghana|New media in Ghana|Manufacturing in Ghana#Automobile manufacturing|l3=Automobile manufacturing in Ghana}} |
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[[File:GDP per capita development development of Ghana.svg|thumb|Change in per capita GDP, 1870–2018. Figures are inflation-adjusted to 2011 International dollars]] |
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[[File:Ghana Product Exports (2019).svg|upright=1.3|thumb|right|A proportional representation of exports, 2019]] |
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[[File:Ghana Export Trends.jpg|thumb|right|Ghana Petroleum and [[Commodity|commodities]]; exports in [[percentage]]]] |
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Ghana possesses [[industrial mineral]]s, [[hydrocarbon]]s and [[precious metal]]s. It is an emerging designated [[digital economy]] with [[mixed economy]] hybridisation and an [[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 industrialized country|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 |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608091316/https://www.vizocom.com/internet/ghana/ |url-status=live}}</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> |
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Ghana's economy 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 [[Ghanaian 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> |
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Between 2012 and 2013, 38% of rural dwellers were experiencing poverty whereas only 11% 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 |date=30 November 2001 |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> |
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The [[Volta River Authority]] and the [[Ghana National Petroleum Corporation]], both state-owned, are the two major electricity producers.<ref name="Ghana – Gross Domestic Product" /> The [[Akosombo Dam]], built on the Volta River in 1965, along with the [[Bui Dam]], the [[Kpong Dam]] and several other hydroelectric dams, 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 sought to [[Nuclear power in Ghana|build the second nuclear power plant in Africa]]. |
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The [[Ghana Stock Exchange]] is the 5th largest on continental Africa and 3rd largest in sub-saharan Africa with a [[Market capitalization|market capitalisation]] of [[Ghana Cedi|GH¢]] 57.2 billion or [[Renminbi|CN¥]]180.4 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]] 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> |
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Ghana 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]] |date=September 2011 |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>{{Cite web |title=Cocoa facts and figures - Kakaoplattform |url=https://www.kakaoplattform.ch/about-cocoa/cocoa-facts-and-figures#:~:text=In%20the%202018/2019%20cocoa,biggest%20cocoa%20producer%20in%20Asia. |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.kakaoplattform.ch |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617043810/https://www.kakaoplattform.ch/about-cocoa/cocoa-facts-and-figures#:~:text=In%20the%202018/2019%20cocoa,biggest%20cocoa%20producer%20in%20Asia. |url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana is classified as a middle income country.<ref name="IMFWEO.GH" /><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 |publisher=[[Intercontinental Bank]] |date=September 2011 |access-date=26 March 2012 |page=13}}</ref> [[Tertiary sector of the economy|Services]] account for 50% of GDP, followed by [[Secondary sector of the economy|manufacturing]] (24.1%), [[Primary sector of the economy|extractive industries]] (5%), and taxes (20.9%).<ref name="Ghana – Gross Domestic Product" /> Ghana has an increasing primary manufacturing economy 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 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125201001/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL6N0DA59S20130423?irpc=932 |url-status=live}}</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 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927144319/http://www.modernghana.com/news/458333/1/ghanas-model-vehicle-unveiled-by-suame-magazine-ar.html |url-status=live}}</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> |
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It 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.<ref>{{cite news |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=5 July 2021 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |title=Ghana to Sell Sustainable Bonds for up to $1 Billion by July |date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718005927/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-25/ghana-to-sell-sustainable-bonds-for-up-to-1-billion-by-july-kp3rq0p1 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-05/ghana-mulls-africa-s-first-social-bonds-with-2-billion-sale |access-date=5 July 2021 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |title=Ghana Mulls Africa's First Social Bonds with $2 Billion Sale |date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706081855/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-05/ghana-mulls-africa-s-first-social-bonds-with-2-billion-sale |url-status=live}}</ref> The country, which was planning to borrow up to $5 billion in international markets,{{when|date=October 2023}} 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 |archive-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706055819/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/5/ghana-plans-to-issue-africas-first-social-bonds-with-2b-sale |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[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 the [[South Atlantic Ocean]]]] |
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It produces and exports [[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, [[Ghana Oil Company]], is the number 1 petroleum and gas filling station, and the 100%-state-owned state oil company [[Ghana National Petroleum Corporation]] oversees [[hydrocarbon exploration]] and production of petroleum and natural gas reserves. Ghana aims to further increase the 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/http://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/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html |date=10 July 2012}}</ref> The [[Jubilee Oil Field]], which contains up to {{convert|3|Goilbbl|m3}} of sweet crude oil, was discovered in 2007.<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> The government has drawn up plans to [[Nationalization|nationalise]] 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> |
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As of 2019, Ghana was the 7th largest producer of gold in the world, producing ~140 [[tonne]]s that year.<ref name="CEIC">{{cite web |title=Ghana Gold Production |url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/ghana/gold-production |access-date=26 October 2020 |website=CEIC Data |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029183111/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/ghana/gold-production |url-status=live}}</ref> This record saw Ghana surpass South Africa in output for the first time, making Ghana the largest gold producer in Africa.<ref>{{cite web |author=Whitehouse, David |date=8 October 2019 |title=Ghana now Africa's largest gold producer, but reforms await |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/18245/ghana-now-africas-largest-gold-producer-but-reforms-await/ |access-date=16 October 2020 |work=The Africa Report |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029100547/https://www.theafricareport.com/18245/ghana-now-africas-largest-gold-producer-but-reforms-await/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to gold, Ghana exports [[silver]], timber, [[diamond]]s, [[bauxite]], and [[manganese]], and has other mineral deposits.<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 |date=7 February 2007 |publisher=International Business Publications, USA |isbn=978-1-4330-1775-9 |access-date=16 May 2014}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Ghana ranks 9th in the world in diamond export and reserve size.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana |url=https://eiti.org/ghana |access-date=2021-07-06 |website=Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185204/https://eiti.org/ghana |url-status=dead}}</ref> The government has drawn up plans to [[Nationalization|nationalize]] mining industry to increase government revenue.<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 |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4330-1775-9 |access-date=24 June 2013}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana Minerals and Mining Act |url=http://www.ghanalegal.com/?id=3&law=535&t=ghana-laws |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021012648/http://www.ghanalegal.com/?id=3&law=535&t=ghana-laws |archive-date=21 October 2013 |access-date=16 May 2014 |publisher=ghanalegal.com}}</ref> |
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"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 a surplus of electricity.<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 |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=28 December 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108022101/http://theconversation.com/lessons-to-be-learnt-from-ghanas-excess-electricity-shambles-121257 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The [[Judiciary of Ghana|judicial system of Ghana]] deals with corruption, economic malpractice and lack of economic transparency.<ref name="Ghana Economy – heritage">{{cite web |work=heritage.org |url=http://www.heritage.org/index/country/ghana |title=Ghana Economy |access-date=20 April 2013 |archive-date=8 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508060450/http://www.heritage.org/index/country/ghana |url-status=live}}</ref> 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 |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608091309/https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/ghana |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Science and technology=== |
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It launched a cellular mobile network (1992). It was connected to the internet and introduced 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> It was ranked 99th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=www.wipo.int |date=2 November 2023 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=9789280534320 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 October 2013 |title=Global Innovation Index |url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=INSEAD Knowledge |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The [[Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre]] (GSSTC) and Ghana Space Agency (GhsA) oversee [[space exploration]] and space programmes. 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 |publisher=BBC News |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> Ghana's annual space exploration expenditure has been 1% of its 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 the [[South African National Space Agency]].<ref name="BBCSpace" /> |
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===Tourism=== |
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{{Main|Tourism in Ghana}} |
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[[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"/>]] |
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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 include South Americans, Asians, Europeans, and North Americans.<ref name="Trade Expo International Ghana"/> The attractions and tourist destinations include waterfalls such as [[Kintampo waterfalls]] and the largest waterfall in west Africa, [[Wli waterfalls]], the coastal palm-lined sandy beaches, caves, mountains, rivers, and reservoirs and lakes such as [[Lake Bosumtwi]] and the largest human-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> Some castles are [[Cape Coast Castle Museum|Cape Coast Castle]] and the [[Elmina Castle]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Visit Ghana {{!}} Forts and Castles in Ghana |url=https://visitghana.com/attractions/all-forts-and-castles/ |access-date=12 September 2020 |website=Visit Ghana |language=en-US |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523044732/https://visitghana.com/attractions/all-forts-and-castles/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Castles 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=12 September 2020 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |archive-date=27 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027113800/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/34/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of this, the [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Convention]] of UNESCO named Ghana's castles and forts as World Heritage Monuments.<ref name="Centre"/> |
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The [[World Economic Forum]] statistics in 2010 showed that out of the world's favourite 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 2 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 ranked 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> |
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Up and down the coastline, surfing spots have been identified and cultivated by locals and internationals. Surfers have made trips to the country to sample the waves. Surfers carried their boards amid [[Traditional fishing boat|traditional fishing vessels]].<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=21 May 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521092011/https://traveltriangle.com/blog/surfing-in-ghana/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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According to Destination Pride<ref>{{cite news |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 |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 |access-date=14 March 2019 |archive-date=16 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316165738/https://destinationpride.org/destination/ghana |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Demographics== |
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{{Main|Demographics of Ghana}} |
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{{Further|Ghanaian people}} |
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{{bar box |
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|title=Ethnic Groups in Ghana |
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|titlebar=#ddd |
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|left1=Ethnic Groups |
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|right1=percent |
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|float=right |
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|bars= |
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{{bar percent|Akan|darkgreen|47.5}} |
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{{bar percent|Mole-Dagbani|purple|16.6}} |
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{{bar percent|Ewe|red|13.9}} |
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{{bar percent|Ga-Dangme|black|7.4}} |
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{{bar percent|Gurma|orange|5.7}} |
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{{bar percent|Guan|darkblue|3.7}}{{bar percent|Grusi|white|2.5}} |
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{{bar percent|Mande|maroon|1.1}} |
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{{bar percent|Other|darkgray|1.4}} |
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}} |
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As of 2019, Ghana has a population of 30,083,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana Population (LIVE) |url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ghana-population |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705175928/https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ghana-population/ |archive-date=5 July 2019 |access-date=22 June 2019 |website=Worldometers}}</ref> Around 29% 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 |title=Health Nutrition and Population Statistics – DataBank |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=health-nutrition-and-population-statistics |url-status=live |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 |access-date=13 June 2018 |website=databank.worldbank.org}}</ref> The 2010 census reported that the largest ethnic groups are the Akan (47.3%), the Mole-Dagbani (16.6%), the Ewe (13.9%), the Ga-Dangme (7.4%), the Gurma (5.7%) and the Guan (3.7%).<ref name="statsghana.gov.gh">{{cite web |date=May 2013 |title=2010 Population & Housing Census: National Analytical Report |url=http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/National_Analytical_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712212518/http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/National_Analytical_Report.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2018 |access-date=23 January 2014 |publisher=Ghana Statistical Service}}</ref> |
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The median age of Ghanaian citizens is 30 years old and the average household size is 3.6 persons. |
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With [[Immigration to Ghana|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 many [[economic migrant]]s and [[Illegal immigration to Ghana|Illegal immigrants inhabiting Ghana]]: 14.6% (or 3.1 million) of Ghana's 2010 population (predominantly Nigerians, Burkinabe citizens, Togolese citizens, and Malian citizens). In 1969, under the "Ghana Aliens Compliance Order" enacted by Prime Minister 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> the [[Border Guard Unit]] deported over 3,000,000 aliens and illegal immigrants 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><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Daly |first=Samuel Fury Childs |date=2022-07-30 |title=Ghana Must Go: Nativism and the Politics of Expulsion in West Africa, 1969–1985 |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/pastj/gtac006 |journal=Past & Present |volume=259 |pages=229–261 |doi=10.1093/pastj/gtac006 |issn=0031-2746 |access-date=3 August 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407064513/https://academic.oup.com/past/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/pastj/gtac006/6652271?redirectedFrom=fulltext |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, there was a mass deportation of illegal miners, more than 4,000 of them Chinese nationals.<ref> |
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{{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}} |
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</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> |
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===Languages=== |
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{{main|Languages of Ghana}} |
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[[File:Predominant tribe in the area - (Ghana) LOC 88692692.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|A map of Ghana's ethno-linguistic areas.]] |
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English is the [[official language]] of Ghana.<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 |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: |
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*[[Akan language]]s ([[Asante dialect|Asante Twi]], [[Akuapem Twi]], [[Fante dialect|Fante]] which have a high degree of mutual intelligibility, and [[Nzema language|Nzema]], which is less intelligible with the above) |
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*[[Adangme language|Dangme]] |
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*[[Ewe language|Ewe]] |
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*[[Ga language|Ga]] |
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*[[Gua language|Guan]] |
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*[[Kasem language|Kasem]] |
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*[[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§ionid=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§ionid=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> |
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Of these, 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> |
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Because Ghana is surrounded by [[List of countries and territories where French is an official language|French-speaking countries]], French is widely taught in schools and used for commercial and international economic exchanges. Since 2006, Ghana has been an associate member of the {{Lang|fr|[[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 six continents). In 2005, more than 350,000 Ghanaian children studied French in schools. Since then, its status has been progressively updated to a mandatory language in every junior 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> and 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 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508135708/https://qz.com/africa/1588566/ghanas-president-wants-french-as-a-second-language/ |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 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802174130/https://www.pulse.com.gh/bi/strategy/ghana-adopts-french-as-its-second-official-language/eg77s29 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[Ghanaian Pidgin English]], also known as Kru English (or in Akan, ''kroo brofo''), is a variety of [[West African Pidgin English]] spoken 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> It 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> |
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===Religion=== |
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{{Main|Religion in Ghana}} |
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[[Christianity]] is the largest religion in Ghana, with 71.3% of the population being members of various [[Christian denomination]]s as of the 2021 census.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://census2021.statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/reportthemelist/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203C_Background%20Characteristics_181121.pdf |title=2021 PHC General Report Vol 3C, Background Characteristics |website=Ghana Statistical Service |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227194122/https://census2021.statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/reportthemelist/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203C_Background%20Characteristics_181121.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Islam]] is practised by 19.9% of the total population. According to a 2012 report by [[Pew Research]], 51% of Muslims are followers of [[Sunni Islam]], while approximately 16% belong to the [[Ahmadiyya]] movement and around 8% identify with [[Shia]] Islam, while the remainder are [[non-denominational Muslim]]s.<ref name= "TheWorld'sMuslims:UnityandDiversity">{{cite report |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/08/the-worlds-muslims-full-report.pdf |title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity |date=August 9, 2012 |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]], Forum on Religious & Public life |pages=29–31 |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225091620/https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/08/the-worlds-muslims-full-report.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=rs>Owusu-Ansah (1994), "Religion and Society".</ref> There is "no significant link between ethnicity and religion in Ghana".<ref name="stte.gov">{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2006/71304.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2006 Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor |publisher=USA state.gov |access-date=December 17, 2014 |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212213625/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2006/71304.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Universal health care and life expectancy === |
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{{main|l1 = NHIS|2 = Health in Ghana}} |
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{{further|Eye care in Ghana|Optometry in Ghana}} |
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[[File:Life_expectancy_in_Ghana.svg|thumb|Development of life expectancy, 1921 to 2019]] |
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Ghana has a [[universal health care]] system strictly designated for [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian nationals]], [[National Health Insurance Scheme (Ghana)|National Health Insurance Scheme]] (NHIS), is designated for [[Ghanaian people|Ghanaian nationals]].<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 variable throughout Ghana and in 2012, over 12 million Ghanaian nationals were covered by the NHIS.<ref name="Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)">{{cite web |title=Ghana: National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) |url=http://jointlearningnetwork.org/content/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. There are over 200 hospitals, 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"/> 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> In 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 |date=13 May 2020 |title=Ghana bolsters medicines regulatory system, guarantees product quality |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/ghana-bolsters-medicines-regulatory-system-guarantees-product-quality.html |url-status=dead |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 |access-date=19 May 2020 |publisher=World Health Organization}}</ref> |
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Life expectancy at birth in 2020 was 71 for a female and 65 for a male.<ref name="CDC">{{cite web |date=August 2019 |title=CDC in Ghana |url=https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/countries/ghana/pdf/Ghana_Factsheet.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307094740/http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/countries/ghana/pdf/ghana_factsheet.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-07 |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2021 |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}}</ref> In 2013, [[infant mortality]] was 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> The fertility rate 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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622190721/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN%3Flocations%3DGH |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=22 June 2019 |website=World Bank}}</ref> |
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{{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=dead}}</ref> |
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===Education=== |
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{{Main|Education in Ghana}} |
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[[File:Wikimedia Outreach in Ghana 6.jpeg|thumb|Education system's implementation of [[information and communications technology]] at the [[University of Ghana]]]] |
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The education system is divided into 3 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 ends with the [[Basic Education Certificate Examination]].<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 certified, 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 3 years and leads to the [[West African Senior School Certificate Examination]], which is a prerequisite for enrollment in a university bachelor's degree programme.<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>{{rp|7}} Polytechnics are open to vocational students.<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> |
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A bachelor's degree requires 4 years of study. It can be followed by a 1- or 2-year master's degree programme, which can be followed by a PhD programme of at least 3 years.<ref name="nab.gov.gh"/>{{rp|9}} A polytechnic programme lasts 2 or 3 years.<ref name="UNEVOC"/> Ghana possesses 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 universities are the [[University of Ghana]], [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]], and [[University of Cape Coast]].<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 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029163953/https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/top-10-best-universities-in-ghana/6pncyms |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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There are over 95% of children in school.<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 female and male ages 15–24 years literacy rate was 81% in 2010, with males at 82%,<ref>{{cite web |title=Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15–24) |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.MA.ZS/countries |url-status=live |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 |access-date=29 July 2013 |publisher=World Bank}}</ref> and females at 80%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15–24) |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.FE.ZS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902192409/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.FE.ZS |archive-date=2 September 2013 |access-date=29 July 2013 |publisher=World Bank}}</ref> A education system annually attracts [[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> |
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Ghana has a [[free education]] 6-year primary school education system beginning at age 6.<ref name="Ghana Lauded for Free Primary School Program">{{cite web |date=16 February 2012 |title=Ghana Lauded for Free Primary School Program |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/ghana-lauded-for-free-primary-school-program-139525918/159622.html |url-status=dead |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 |access-date=6 June 2014 |publisher=Voice of America}}</ref> 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 provided with all their textbook requirements 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 |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407064508/https://books.google.com/books?id=seAqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA143 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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== Culture == |
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[[File:FB 20151104 19 47 22 Saved Picture(1).jpg|thumb|[[Hogbetsotso festival]] in the [[Volta region]]]]{{Main|Culture of Ghana}} |
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===Food and drink=== |
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[[Ghanaian cuisine]] includes an assortment of soups and stews with varied seafoods; most Ghanaian soups are prepared with vegetables, meat, poultry or fish.<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup"/> Fish is important in the 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 (dish)|Banku]] (akple) is a common starchy 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 chillies, onions and tomatoes (pepper sauce).<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup" /> Banku and tilapia is a combo served in most 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 and is a delicacy across the [[African diaspora]].<ref name="Ghanaian cuisine, banku, okra and soup" /> Rice is an established staple meal across the country, with various rice based dishes serving as breakfast, lunch and dinner, the main variants are waakye, plain rice and stew (eight kontomire or tomato gravy), fried rice and [[jollof rice]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana's rice market |url=https://www.ifpri.org/publication/ghanas-rice-market |access-date=17 February 2022 |website=www.ifpri.org |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010120/https://www.ifpri.org/publication/ghanas-rice-market |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Literature=== |
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{{Excerpt|Ghanaian Literature}} |
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=== Clothing === |
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[[File:Adinkra motifs Rattray 1927.jpg|thumb|[[Adinkra symbols]] by [[Robert Sutherland Rattray]]]] |
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During the 13th century, Ghanaians developed their unique art of ''[[Adinkra symbols|adinkra]]'' printing. Hand-printed and hand-embroidered adinkra clothes were made and used exclusively by royalty for devotional ceremonies. Each of the 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 shapes of inanimate and man-made objects. The meanings of the motifs may be categorised into aesthetics, ethics, human relations, and concepts.<ref name="LIT">{{cite web |title=Ghana |url=http://www.amadeus.net/home/destinations/es/guides/gh/cul.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223225901/https://www.amadeus.net/home/destinations/es/guides/gh/cul.htm |archive-date=23 February 2015 |access-date=1 August 2013 |work=Amadeus |language=es |df=dmy-all}}</ref> 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 symbols with distinct meanings, often linked with proverbs. In the words of [[Kwame Anthony Appiah|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>[[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]].]] |
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Along with the ''adinkra cloth,'' Ghanaians use many 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 national costume and clothing, and these clothes are used to make traditional and modern Kente attire.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth">{{cite web |url=http://www.kentecloth.net/ghanaian-kente-cloth/ |title=Ghanaian Kente Cloth |date=19 October 2009 |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 clothes.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth" /> Kente is a ceremonial cloth hand-woven on a horizontal [[Loom|treadle loom]] and strips measuring about 4 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 as 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. |
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Kente is also woven by the Ewe people (Ewe Kente) in the Volta Region. The main weaving centers are Agortime area and Agbozume. Agbozume has a vibrant kente market attracting patrons from all over west Africa and the diaspora.<ref name="Ghanaian Kente Cloth" /> |
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{{multiple image |
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| image1 = Comtemporary Ghanaian men fashion.jpg |
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| caption1 = Contemporary Ghanaian men's fashion with Kente and other traditional styles |
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| caption2 = Contemporary Ghanaian women's fashion with African print/Ankara and other fabrics |
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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 wax prints|African print fabric]] was created out of Dutch wax textiles. It is believed that in the late 19th century, 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 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 they have 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> |
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===Music and dance=== |
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{{Main|2 = Azonto|3 = Kpanlogo}} |
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[[File:Traditional Adowa dance form and music performance.ogv|thumb|[[Adowa dance]] form and music performance.]] |
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Music incorporates types of musical instruments such as the talking drum ensembles, [[Akan Drum]], [[goje]] fiddle and 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" /> African jazz was created by [[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> A form of secular music is [[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 19th and 20th centuries and spread throughout West Africa.<ref name="Ghana: From Highlife to Hiplife" /> |
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In the 1990s, a genre of music was created 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" /> |
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There are dances for 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> Dances for celebrations 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]]. The group was 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 |archive-date=2 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502190849/https://www.theghanareport.com/how-prampram-pallbearers-became-an-international-sensation-and-a-meme/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Media=== |
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[[File:Ghana Trustworthiness of Media.jpg|thumb|Mass media, news and information provided by television.]] |
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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, private outlets closed during the military governments, and media laws 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 Kufuor, the tensions between the private media and government decreased. Kufuor supported press freedom and repealed a [[Defamation|libel]] law, and 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 media have been described as "one of the most unfettered" in Africa.<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> |
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In 1948, 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> |
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===Architecture=== |
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{{see also|Ghana's material cultural heritage|List of museums in Ghana|l2=Ghanaian museums}} |
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[[File:A drone footage of Accra central, Ghana.jpg|thumb|[[High-rise building]]s in [[Accra]], the capital]] |
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There are 2 types of construction: the series of adjacent buildings in an enclosure around a common, and the 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, while the series of adjacent buildings are in the southern regions. [[Postmodern architecture]] and [[high-tech architecture]] buildings are in the southern regions, while heritage sites are evident in the more than 30 forts and castles in the country, such as [[Fort William, Ghana|Fort William]] and [[Fort Amsterdam, Ghana|Fort Amsterdam]]. Ghana has museums that are situated inside castles, and 2 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> |
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Ghana has museums that show an in-depth look at specific regions. There are a number of museums that provide insight into the traditions and history of the geographical areas.<ref name="Museums and Monuments Board" /> The [[Cape Coast Castle]] Museum and St. Georges Castle ([[Elmina Castle]]) Museum offer guided tours. The [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology|Museum of Science and Technology]] provides its visitors with a look into the domain of scientific development, through exhibits of objects of scientific and technological interest.<ref name="Museums and Monuments Board" /> |
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===Sports=== |
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{{main|Sports in Ghana}} |
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[[File:2010 Opening Ceremony - Ghana entering.jpg|upright|thumb|Ghanaian [[winter sport]]s Olympic team at the [[opening ceremony]] of the 2010 [[Winter Olympics]]]] |
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[[Association football]] is the top spectator sport in Ghana.<ref name="Ghana thrilled by historic title"/> Ghana has won the [[Africa 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 Sport |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=6 June 2014 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216171504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8311948.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|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> |
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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 57 medals at the Commonwealth Games, including 15 gold, with all but one of their medals coming in athletics and boxing. The country has also produced a number of boxers, including [[Azumah Nelson]] a three-time world champion,<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>{{Clear}} |
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==See also== |
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{{portal|Africa}} |
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*[[Index of Ghana-related articles]] |
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*[[Outline of Ghana]] |
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{{Clear}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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{{refbegin}} |
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*Arhin, Kwame, ''The Life and Work of Kwame Nkrumah'' (Africa Research & Publications, 1995) |
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*Babatope, Ebenezer, ''The Ghana Revolution: From Nkrumah to Jerry Rawlings'' (Fourth Dimension Publishing, 1982) |
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*Birmingham, David, ''Kwame Nkrumah: Father Of African Nationalism'' ([[Ohio University Press]], 1998) |
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*Boafo-Arthur, Kwame, ''Ghana: One Decade of the Liberal State'' ([[Zed Books]], 2007) |
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*Briggs, Philip, ''Ghana (Bradt Travel Guide)'' (Bradt Travel Guides, 2010) |
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*Clark, Gracia, ''African Market Women: Seven Life Stories from Ghana'' ([[Indiana University Press]], 2010) |
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*[[Basil Davidson|Davidson, Basil]], ''Black Star: A View of the Life and Times of Kwame Nkrumah'' ([[James Currey]], 2007) |
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*[[Toyin Falola|Falola, Toyin]], and Salm, Stephen J, ''Culture and Customs of Ghana'' (Greenwood, 2002) |
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*Grant, Richard, ''Globalizing City: The Urban and Economic Transformation of Accra, Ghana'' (Syracuse University Press, 2008) |
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*Hadjor, Kofi Buenor, ''Nkrumah and Ghana'' (Africa Research & Publications, 2003) |
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*Hasty, Jennifer, ''The Press and Political Culture in Ghana'' (Indiana University Press, 2005) |
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*[[C. L. R. James|James, C.L.R.]], ''Kwame Nkrumah and the Ghana Revolution'' ([[Allison & Busby]], 1977) |
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*Kuada, John, and Chachah Yao, ''Ghana. Understanding the People and their Culture'' (Woeli Publishing Services, 1999) |
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*Miescher, Stephan F, ''Making Men in Ghana'' (Indiana University Press, 2005) |
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*Milne, June, ''Kwame Nkrumah, A Biography'' (Panaf Books, 2006) |
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*Nkrumah, Kwame, ''Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah'' (International Publishers, 1971) |
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*Utley, Ian, ''Ghana – Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture'' (Kuperard, 2009) |
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*Various, ''Ghana: An African Portrait Revisited'' (Peter E. Randall Publisher, 2007) |
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*Younge, Paschal Yao, ''Music and Dance Traditions of Ghana: History, Performance and Teaching'' (Mcfarland & Co Inc., 2011) |
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*{{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}} |
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{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Sister project links|b=y|commons=Ghana|n=y|q=y|s=y|v=y |voy= y}} |
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===Government=== |
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*[http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ Ghana] site |
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*[http://www.parliament.gh/ The Parliament of Ghana] site |
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*[http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/ National Commission on Culture] site |
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===General information=== |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023355.stm Country Profile] from [[BBC News]] |
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*[https://www.britannica.com/place/Ghana Ghana] from ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'' |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080607084858/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/ghana.htm Ghana] from UCB Libraries GovPubs |
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*[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/ Ghana]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141129112144/http://www.africa.com/ghana/ Ghana] profile from [[Africa.com]] |
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*{{curlie|Regional/Africa/Ghana}} |
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*{{Wikiatlas|Ghana}} |
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*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. |
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*[http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=GH Key Development Forecasts for Ghana] from [[International Futures]] |
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===Trade=== |
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*[http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/GHA/Year/2012/Summary Ghana 2012 Summary Trade Statistics] |
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[[Category:States and territories established in 1957]] |
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[[Category:West African countries]] |
Revision as of 21:44, 1 December 2023
Republic of Ghana | |
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Motto: "Freedom and Justice" | |
Anthem: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" | |
![]() | |
Capital and largest city | Accra 05°33′18″N 00°11′33″W / 5.55500°N 0.19250°W |
Official languages | English[1][2] |
Ethnic groups (2021 census[3]) |
|
Religion (2021 census[3]) |
|
Demonym(s) | Ghanaian |
Government | Unitary presidential republic |
Nana Akufo-Addo | |
Mahamudu Bawumia | |
Alban Bagbin | |
Gertrude Tokornoo | |
Legislature | Parliament |
Formation | |
1701 | |
• Formation of the Gold Coast colony | 1821 |
• Incorporation of the Danish Gold Coast | 1850 |
• Incorporation of the Dutch Gold Coast | 6 April 1872 |
• Combination with local kingdoms | 1901 |
• Admission of British Togoland | 27 December 1916 |
• Incorporation of British Togoland | 11 December 1956 |
• Independence from the British rule as a Dominion | 6 March 1957 |
• Admitted to the United Nations | 8 March 1957 |
• Republic declared | 1 July 1960 |
28 April 1992 | |
Area | |
• Total | 239,567[4] km2 (92,497 sq mi) (80th) |
• Water (%) | 4.61 (11,000 km2; 4,247 mi2) |
Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 34,237,620 [5] (48th) |
• Density | 101.5/km2 (262.9/sq mi) (66th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | ![]() |
• Per capita | ![]() |
GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | ![]() |
• Per capita | ![]() |
Gini (2016) | ![]() medium inequality |
HDI (2021) | ![]() medium (133rd) |
Currency | Cedi (GHS) |
Time zone | UTC (GMT) |
Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
Drives on | right |
Calling code | +233 |
ISO 3166 code | GH |
Internet TLD | .gh |
Ghana (/ˈɡɑːnə/ GAH-nə; Twi: Gaana, Ewe: Gana, Dagbani: Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, and formerly known as the Gold Coast, is a country in West Africa.[9] It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Togo in the east.[10] Ghana covers an area of 239,567 km2 (92,497 sq mi),[4] spanning diverse biomes that range from coastal savannas to tropical rainforests. With over 32 million inhabitants, Ghana is the second-most populous country in West Africa.[11] The capital and largest city is Accra; other cities are Kumasi, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi.
The earliest kingdoms to emerge in Ghana were the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and the Bono state, with the Bono state existing in the area during the 11th century.[12][13] The Ashanti Empire and other Akan kingdoms in the south emerged over the centuries.[14] Beginning in the 15th century, the Portuguese Empire, followed by other European powers, contested the area for trading rights, until the British ultimately established control of the coast by the 19th century. Following over a century of colonial resistance, the current borders of the country took shape, encompassing 4 separate British colonial territories: Gold Coast, Ashanti, the Northern Territories, and British Togoland. These were unified as an independent dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations. On 6 March 1957, Ghana became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve sovereignty.[15][16][17] Ghana subsequently became influential in decolonisation efforts and the Pan-African movement.[18]
Ghana is a multi-ethnic country with linguistic and religious groups;[19] while the Akan are the largest ethnic group, they constitute a plurality. Most Ghanaians are Christians (71.3%); almost a fifth are Muslims; a tenth practise traditional faiths or report no religion.[3] Ghana is a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president who is head of state and head of government.[20] For political stability in Africa, Ghana ranked 7th in the 2012 Ibrahim Index of African Governance and 5th in the 2012 Fragile States Index. It has maintained since 1993 one of the freest and most stable governments on the continent, and it performs relatively well in healthcare, economic growth, and human development,[18] so that it has a significant influence in West Africa and Africa as a whole.[21] Ghana is highly integrated in international affairs, being a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, African Union and a member of the Economic Community of West African States, Group of 24 and Commonwealth of Nations.[22]
Etymology
The country's name is derived from the words "Warrior King",[10] adopted at J. B. Danquah's suggestion upon the union of Gold Coast with British Togoland in 1956 or upon independence on 6 March 1957, in homage to the earlier Malian Ghana Empire, named for the title of its ruler.[citation needed] Despite the empire never holding territory near the current nation, traditional stories connect the northern Mande of Ghana – the Soninke, Dyula, Ligby, and Bissa – to peoples displaced following the collapse of the old Ghana.[citation needed]
During British rule, Ghana was referred to as the Gold Coast, which consisted of itself, Ashanti, the Northern Territories Protectorate and the British Togoland trust territory.[23]
History
Medieval kingdoms
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Guinea_from_Milner%27s_Atlas.jpg/220px-Guinea_from_Milner%27s_Atlas.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Lidded_Vessel_%28Kuduo%29_MET_DP108293.jpg/220px-Lidded_Vessel_%28Kuduo%29_MET_DP108293.jpg)
The earliest recorded kingdoms to emerge in modern Ghana were the Mole-Dagbon states.[24] Before the unification of Dagbon, societies were decentralised, and headed by the Tindaamba (singular: tindana).[25] These decentralised states were unified by King Gbewaa, who lived a long life, and formed a stable, peaceful society.[26] Dagbon extended beyond the boundaries of present-day Ghana.[27][28][29] Kingdoms that emerged from Dagbon include the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso,[30] and Bouna Kingdom of Ivory Coast.[31] The kingdom enjoyed great prosperity establishing Ghana's earliest educational systems,[32] and using a writing script[33][34] prior to European invasion. Female chiefs who rule over male subjects are present in the kingdom,[35] and inheritance is both patrilineal ad matrilineal.[36] The Yaa Naa is the King of Dagbon and the Gundo Naa is the Queen.[37][38] The kingdom remained uncolonised. In 1896, Germany invaded Eastern Dagbon (Naya) and burnt down its capital, Yendi,[39][40] during the Battle of Adibo.[41][42]
The Akan-speaking peoples began to move into what later became Ghana toward the 15th century.[24][43] By the 16th century, the Akans were established in the Akan state called Bonoman, for which the Brong-Ahafo region was named.[24][44] From the 17th century, Akans emerged from what is believed to have been the Bonoman area, to create Akan states, mainly based on gold trading.[45] These states included Bonoman (Brong-Ahafo region), Ashanti (Ashanti Region), Denkyira (Western North region), Mankessim Kingdom (Central region), and Akwamu (Eastern region).[24] By the 19th century, the territory of the southern part of Ghana was included in the Kingdom of Ashanti.[24] The government of the Ashanti Empire operated first as a loose network and eventually as a centralised kingdom with a specialised bureaucracy centred in the capital city of Kumasi.[24] Prior to Akan contact with Europeans, the Akan people created an economy based on principally gold and gold bar commodities, which were traded with other states in Africa.[24][46] The Ga-Dangme and Ewe migrated westward from south-western Nigeria. The Ewe migrated from Oyo area with their Gbe-speaking kinsmen (Adja, Fon, Phera Gun)and in transition, settled in Ketou in Benin Republic, Tado in Togo and with Nortsie ( a walled town on present-day Togo)as their final dispersal point. Their dispersal from Nortsie was necessitated by the high-handed rule of King Agorkorli (Agor Akorlie). The Ga- Dangme occupy the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Eastern Region, while the Ewe are found in the Volta Region as well as the neighbouring Togo, Benin Republic and Nigeria ( around Badagry area).
European contact and colonialism
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Elmina_slave_castle.jpg/220px-Elmina_slave_castle.jpg)
Akan trade with European states began after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century.[47] European contact was by the Portuguese people, who came to the Gold Coast region in the 15th century to trade. The Portuguese then established the Portuguese Gold Coast (Costa do Ouro), focused on the availability of gold.[48] The Portuguese built a trading lodge at a coastal settlement called Anomansah (the perpetual drink) which they renamed São Jorge da Mina.[48] In 1481, King John II of Portugal commissioned Diogo de Azambuja to build the Elmina Castle, which was completed in 3 years.[48] By 1598, the Dutch had joined the Portuguese in the gold trade, establishing the Dutch Gold Coast (Nederlandse Bezittingen ter Kuste van Guinea - 'Dutch properties at the Guinea coast') and building forts at Fort Komenda and Kormantsi.[49] In 1617, the Dutch captured the Elmina Castle from the Portuguese and Axim in 1642 (Fort St Anthony).[49]
European traders had joined in gold trading by the 17th century, including the Swedes, establishing the Swedish Gold Coast (Svenska Guldkusten), and Denmark–Norway, establishing the Danish Gold Coast (Danske Guldkyst or Dansk Guinea).[50] European traders participated in the Atlantic slave trade in this area.[51] More than 30 forts and castles were built by the merchants. The Germans established the Brandenburger Gold Coast or Groß Friedrichsburg).[52] In 1874, Great Britain established control over some parts of the country, assigning these areas the status of the British Gold Coast.[53] Military engagements occurred between British colonial powers and Akan nation-states. The Kingdom of Ashanti defeated the British some times in the 100-year-long Anglo-Ashanti wars and eventually lost with the War of the Golden Stool in 1900.[54][55][56]
Transition to independence
In 1947, the newly formed United Gold Coast Convention led by "The Big Six" called for "self-government within the shortest possible time" following the 1946 Gold Coast legislative election.[50][57] Kwame Nkrumah, a Ghanaian nationalist who led Ghana from 1957 to 1966 as the country's first prime minister and president, formed the Convention People's Party in 1949 with the motto "self-government now".[50] 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 1951 general election, he was elected to Parliament and was released from prison.[50] He became prime minister in 1952 and began a policy of Africanization.[citation needed]
On 6 March 1957 at midnight, the Gold Coast, Ashanti, the 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.[58] On 1 July 1960, following the Ghanaian constitutional referendum and Ghanaian presidential election, Nkrumah declared Ghana a republic and assumed the presidency.[15][16][17][50] 6 March is the nation's Independence Day, and 1 July is celebrated as Republic Day.[59][60]
Nkrumah led an authoritarian regime in Ghana, as he repressed political opposition and conducted elections that were not free and fair.[61][62][63][64][65] In 1964, a constitutional amendment made Ghana a one-party state, with Nkrumah as president for life of both the nation and its party.[66] 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 in the United States, at the time when Marcus Garvey was known for his "Back to Africa Movement".[50] He merged the teachings of Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr. and the naturalised Ghanaian scholar W. E. B. Du Bois into the formation of 1960s Ghana.[50] 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.[67] His life achievements were recognised by Ghanaians during his centenary birthday celebration, and the day was instituted as a public holiday in Ghana (Founders' Day).[68]
Operation Cold Chop and aftermath
The government of Nkrumah was subsequently overthrown in 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, Vietnam, to help end the Vietnam War. The coup took place on 24 February 1966, led by Colonel Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka and Brigadier Akwasi Afrifa. The National Liberation Council was formed, chaired by Lieutenant General Joseph A. Ankrah.[69]
A series of alternating military and civilian governments, often affected by economic instabilities,[70] ruled Ghana from 1966, ending with the ascent to power of Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings of the Provisional National Defence Council in 1981.[71] These changes resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties.[72] The economy soon declined, so Rawlings negotiated a structural adjustment plan, changing many old economic policies, and growth recovered during the mid-1980s.[72] A new constitution restoring multi-party system politics was promulgated in the presidential election of 1992, in which Rawlings was elected, and again in the general election of 1996.[73]
In a tribal war in Northern Ghana in 1994, between the Konkomba and other ethnic groups, including the Nanumba, Dagomba and Gonja, between 1,000 and 2,000 people were killed and 150,000 people were displaced.[74]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Kpetoee.jpg/220px-Kpetoee.jpg)
After the 2000 general election, John Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party became president of Ghana on 7 January 2001 and was re-elected in 2004, thus also serving two terms (the term limit) as president of Ghana and 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.[73]
Nana Akufo-Addo, the ruling party candidate, was defeated in a very close 2008 general election by John Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress.[75][76] Mills died of natural causes and was succeeded by Vice President John Mahama on 24 July 2012.[77] Following the 2012 general election, Mahama became president in his own right,[78] and Ghana was described as a "stable democracy".[79][80] As a result of the 2016 general election,[81] Nana Akufo-Addo became president on 7 January 2017.[82] He was re-elected after a tightly contested election in 2020.[83]
To combat deforestation, on 11 June 2021 Ghana inaugurated Green Ghana Day, with the aim of planting 5 million trees in a concentrated effort to preserve the country's rainforest cover.[84]
Geography
Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea, a few degrees north of the Equator.[85] It spans an area of 239,535 km2 (92,485 sq mi)[86] and has an Atlantic coastline that stretches 560 kilometres (350 miles) on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to its south.[85] Dodi Island and Bobowasi Island are near the south coast.[87] 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 Tema.[85] Ghana is geographically closer to the intersection of the Prime Meridian and the Equator than any other country, since this point, (0°, 0°), is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 614 km (382 mi) off the south-east coast of Ghana.
Grasslands mixed with south coastal shrublands and forests dominate Ghana, with forest extending northward from the coast 320 kilometres (200 miles) and eastward for a maximum of about 270 kilometres (170 miles) with locations for mining of industrial minerals and timber.[85] Ghana is home to 5 terrestrial ecoregions: Eastern Guinean forests, Guinean forest–savanna mosaic, West Sudanian savanna, Central African mangroves, and Guinean mangroves.[88] It had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.53/10, ranking it 112th globally out of 172 countries.[89]
The White Volta River and its tributary Black Volta, flow south through Ghana to Lake Volta, the world's third-largest reservoir by volume and largest by surface area, formed by the hydroelectric Akosombo Dam,[90] completed in 1965. The Volta flows out of Lake Volta into the Gulf of Guinea.[91] The northernmost part of Ghana is Pulmakong and the southernmost part of Ghana is Cape Three Points.[85]
The climate of Ghana is tropical, and there is wet season and dry season.[93] Ghana sits at the intersection of 3 hydro-climatic zones.[94] Changes in rainfall, weather conditions and sea-level rise affect the salinity of coastal waters. This is expected to negatively affect both farming and fisheries.[95]
In 2015, the government produced a document titled "Ghana's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution."[96] Following that, Ghana signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016.
Politics
Ghana is a unitary 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 presidential and 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 (Ghanaian Council of State), and an independent judiciary (Judiciary of Ghana). The government is elected by universal suffrage
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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.
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