A little bit about Ghana…

Geographic & Demographics

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea

Climate: tropical; warm & comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot & humid in southwest; hot & dry in north

Languages: Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other (English (official)) 36.1% (2000 census)

Nationality: Ghanaian

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

Population: 25,199,609 (July 2013 est.)

Breakdown of age structure that makes up the population:

• 0-14 years: 38.7% (male 4,902,094/female 4,858,630)
• 15-24 years: 18.8% (male 2,360,293/female 2,382,573)
• 25-54 years: 33.7% (male 4,120,921/female 4,363,889)
• 55-64 years: 4.7% (male 577,431/female 610,716)
• 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 476,297/female 546,765) (2013 est.)

** Interesting how majority of the population is under 14

Life expectancy:

Males: 62.99

Females: 67.71

Child labor:

1,806,750

School life expectancy:

Male: 12

Female: 11

Points of Interest

•       The official language of Ghana is English along with other African languages.

•       Ghana is the first sub-Saharan country to gain its independence from Britain in 1957.

•       Ghana is heavily dependent on international financial aids.

•       The currency used in Ghana is called Cedi.

•       Gold and cocoa are considered a mainstay of economy in Ghana.

•       Ghana has a substantial freedom of media.

•       The capital city of Ghana is Accra.

•       Ghana is divided into small groups that together speak more than 50 languages.

Key Historical Information

•       Several major civilizations flourished in the general region of what is now Ghana. The ancient empire of Ghana reigned until the 13th century.

•       Called the Gold Coast, the area was first seen by Portuguese traders in 1470. They were followed by the English (1553), the Dutch (1595), and the Swedes (1640).

•       British rule over the Gold Coast began in 1820, but it was not until after quelling the severe resistance of the Ashanti in 1901 that it was firmly established.

•       Created as an independent country on March 6, 1957, Ghana, as the result of a plebiscite, became a republic on July 1, 1960.

Ghana's Membership in International Organizations

In foreign affairs, Ghana generally follows the consensus of the Nonaligned Movement and the African Union on economic and political issues that do not directly affect its own interests. Ghana and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Ghana also is an observer to the Organization of American States.

U.S. Relations with Ghana

•       The United States established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1957 following its independence from the United Kingdom.

•       The United States and Ghana share a long history promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

•       Thousands of Ghanaians have been educated in the United States. Close relations are maintained between educational and scientific institutions, and cultural links are strong, particularly between Ghanaians and African-Americans.

•       Ghana has set an example for countries throughout Africa in promoting governance and regional stability.

Sources: 

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gh.html

http://www.10-facts-about.com/Ghana/id/94

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2860.htm