Introduction
Background
Ghana in 1957 became the first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana has a young age structure, with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25.
Geography
Area
total : 238,533 sq km
land: 227,533 sq km
water: 11,000 sq km
Climate
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Natural resources
gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
People and Society
Population
total: 34,589,092
Ethnic groups
Akan 45.7%, Mole-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%, Ga-Dangme 7.1%, Gurma 6.4%, Guan 3.2%, Grusi 2.7%, Mande 2%, other 1.6% (2021 est.)
Languages
Asante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron (Brong) 4.9%, Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.9%, Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1%, other 31.2% (2010 est.)
Religions
Christian 71.3% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 31.6%, Protestant 17.4%, Catholic 10%, other 12.3%), Muslim 19.9%, traditionalist 3.2%, other 4.5%, none 1.1% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
2.15% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Accra
Executive branch
chief of state: President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (since 7 January 2017)
head of government: President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (since 7 January 2017)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Parliament (275 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Alima MAHAMA (since 7 July 2021)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Virginia E. PALMER (since 16 June 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
West African lower-middle income economy; major gold, oil and cocoa exporter; macroeconomic challenges following nearly four decades of sustained growth; recent progress in debt restructuring, fiscal reforms, financial stability, and curbing runaway inflation under 2023-26 IMF credit facility program
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$229.639 billion (2023 est.)
$223.07 billion (2022 est.)
$214.867 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$6,700 (2023 est.)
$6,700 (2022 est.)
$6,500 (2021 est.)
Exports
$25.744 billion (2022 est.)
$23.901 billion (2021 est.)
$22.077 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 24%, Switzerland 17%, US 14%, India 10%, China 10% (2022)
Exports - commodities
gold, crude petroleum, cocoa beans, coconuts/Brazil nuts/cashews, cocoa paste (2022)
Imports
$26.329 billion (2022 est.)
$25.967 billion (2021 est.)
$24.545 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 41%, Netherlands 7%, India 5%, US 5%, Cote d'Ivoire 4% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, garments, coated flat-rolled iron, ships (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, September 05, 2024
