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GHANA AT A GLANCE
Until its independence from British colonial rule on 6 March, 1957, Ghana was called the "Gold Coast", a name given it by early Portuguese explorers who first set foot on the shores of the country in 1471. The name aptly described the country's wealth in gold and natural resources, which include to the present day:

During various periods from the time the Portuguese discovered gold in 1471 to independence in 1957, the monarchs of several European kingdoms, notably Denmark, England, Holland, Prussia and Sweden sent hordes of explorers and merchants to the country for its abundant wealth, both natural and human. They battled for supremacy and control over the land, and built forts and castles which also served as trading posts. Vestiges of the extent of European colonial presence and concentration of activity in the country are evidenced by the fact that 29 of the 32 European colonial forts and castles dotted along the coast of West Africa are in Ghana.

Location
Ghana is located on the west coast of Africa, about 750 km north of the equator on the Gulf of Guinea, between the latitudes of 4°-11°5' north. The capital, Accra, is on the Greenwich Meridian (zero line of longitude). The country has a total land area of 238,533 sq. km and is bounded on the north by Burkina Faso, on the west by Côte d’Ivoire, on the east by Togo and on the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The land area stretches for 672km north-south and 536km east-west.

Land
The coastal area of Ghana consist of plains and numerous lagoons near the estuaries of rivers. The land is relatively flat and the altitude is generally below 500m, with more than half of the country below 200m. The Volta River basin dominates the country’s river system and includes the 400km Lake Volta (the largest artificial lake in the world), formed behind the Akosombo Hydro-Electric Dam. In the north, the predominant vegetation is savannah and shrub, while the south has an extensive rain forest.

Climate
Ghana has a tropical climate, characterised most of the year by moderate temperatures generally 21-32°C (70-90°F), constant breeze and sunshine. There are two rainy seasons, from March to July and from September to October, separated by a short cool dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in the south from mid-October to March. Annual rainfall in the south averages 2,030 mm but varies greatly throughout the country, with the heaviest rainfall in the western region and the lowest in the north.

Population
The population of Ghana is 18,845,265 (Source: Ghana Statistical Service, January 2002). The country, with ten regions, has on average a population density of about 78.9 persons per square kilometre, with an annual growth rate of 2.6 per cent.
Most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the country, with the highest densities occurring in urban areas and cocoa-producing areas.

Language
English is the official national language but there are a total of at least 75 African languages and dialects spoken in Ghana, generally divided into the Akan, Mole-Dagbani, Ewe and Ga language groups. Twi is the main Akan tongue and spoken by roughly half the population, including the Ashanti and Fante.

Religion
Freedom of religion is a constitutional right in Ghana. It is thought that about 60% of Ghanaians are Christian and at least 25% Muslim. Minority religions include various traditional faiths, Bahai, Hinduism and Buddhism. Islam is the predominant faith in the north, having reached West Africa via the trans-Saharan trade routes as early as the eighth century AD. Christianity dominates in the southern and central parts of the country, with Catholicism first introduced by the Portuguese in the late 15th century. BACK TO TOP

THE ECONOMY
Ghana, rich in agricultural resources, timber, gold and other valuable minerals, abundant with educated skilled and enterprising people, blessed with a stable form of government and dedicated to the principles of free enterprise, has long been seen as one of Africa’s most promising countries.

The main exports - gold, cocoa, diamonds, timber, manganese and bauxite - known as “traditional” items, are now increasingly supplemented by processed and semi-processed industrial and agricultural products with tourism as the third largest foreign currency earner after cocoa and gold.

The economy of the country is based on two distinct sectors:

The economy has traditionally depended on exports of primary products, with about 60 per cent of the labour force employed in agriculture. Agriculture contributes about 46 per cent to the GDP and is characterised by small-scale operations, principally staple food crops and cocoa productions. The services sector is the second largest employer (about 25 per cent of the labour force), accounting for over 40 per cent of real GDP from trade and public sector services, while the industrial sector accounts for 14 per cent of GDP and employment.

Over the years, a series of comprehensive macroeconomic and structural adjustment reforms aimed at reversing the economic decline were undertaken. The reform programme included restructuring of institutions, diversifying the economy, balancing the national budget, liberalising trade and currency and attracting direct private investments. BACK TO TOP

Advantages for Relocating In Ghana

Investment Opportunities

Incentives

TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Ghana is and has always been a special Africa – a different Africa with a wide range of attractions and facilities. It dazzles you with its historic past, and charms you with that natural beauty which envelopes you wherever you go.

Indeed for the traveller, Ghana is that latter-day unknown, unexplored and certainly unexploited destination which abounds in an unbelievable array of excitingly striking attractions, succinctly distinctive and peculiar to each of the ten regions in Ghana. There are miles and miles of sun drenched and unspoilt beaches to discover as well as national parks which boast of unique flora and fauna.

EVENTS IN GHANA
The centuries-old traditions of the people of Ghana and the diversity of the distinct ethnic groups, have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of modern Ghana.

To the people of Ghana, the traditions of their ancestors are still an important part of daily life. Customary leaders have historical authority over tribal and family matters, and customary lands are an important heritage.

Important events in life are marked by special rites and rituals. Child naming, puberty initiations, marriage and death are marked by family ceremonies, while seasonal festivals bring a whole people or clan together in spectacular fashion.

A common feature is the belief in the Supreme Being, in life after death and in the nearness of dead ancestors. Festivals also recall past events, and consecrate a new season with confidence and hope.

Traditional fetish shrines, sometimes concealed but more often displayed, are important centres of worship and traditional healing, and an influential part of traditional life. Of special significance are the Posuban shrines, particular to the Fante communities in Southern Ghana. Fanciful buildings lavishly decorated with folk art, they are religious centres for Fante warrior organisations.

Many festivals include thrilling durbars of chiefs, when tribal leaders and Queen Mothers process in decorated palanquins, shaded by traditional umbrellas, and supported by drummers and warrior discharging ancient muskets. BACK TO TOP

VISIT THESE ACCREDITED SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GHANA

http://www.ghana.gov.gh/
The official website of the Republic of Ghana