# Ghana

> country in West Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q117](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ghana

## Summary

Ghana is a country in Africa[1]. It was established on January 1, 1957. The head of government is Nana Akufo-Addo[2]. As of 2021, Ghana's population was 32.8 million[3], and its area is 239,000 square kilometers. The country operates on time zones UTC±00:00 and Africa/Accra[4].

## Summary
Ghana is a sovereign state and country located in West Africa within the sub-Saharan region. Established in 1957, it operates as a democracy with its capital at Accra. The nation has a population of approximately 33 million people as of 2021 and is named after the historical Ghana Empire.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Ghana (la République du Ghana, Gana tingbani).
- **Area**: 238,535 square kilometres.
- **Capital**: Accra.
- **Inception**: 1957.
- **Population**: 32,833,031 (2021).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 7.9465, Longitude -1.0232.
- **Continent**: Africa (West Africa).
- **Government**: Democracy; Head of State/Government: President (John Mahama as of 2025).
- **Currency**: Ghana cedi (since 1965); previously Ghanaian pound.
- **Official Language**: English.
- **National Anthem**: God Bless Our Homeland Ghana.
- **Motto**: Freedom and Justice (Rhyddid a Chyfiawnder).
- **HDI**: 0.632 (2021).
- **GDP (Nominal)**: $72.8 billion (2022).
- **ISO Codes**: GH, GHA, 288.
- **International Calling Code**: +233.
- **Internet TLD**: .gh.
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Timezone**: UTC±00:00 (Africa/Accra).

## FAQs
**What type of government does Ghana have?**
Ghana is a sovereign state and a democracy. The head of state and government is the President, currently John Mahama (as of January 2025), who succeeded Nana Akufo-Addo.

**What is Ghana's population and demographic profile?**
As of 2021, the population is 32,833,031. The population is predominantly urban (approx. 19.6 million in 2022) compared to rural (approx. 13.8 million). The life expectancy at birth is approximately 62.7 years (2016).

**What are Ghana's economic indicators?**
Ghana's nominal GDP was $72.8 billion in 2022. The currency is the Ghana cedi, and the standard VAT rate is 15%. The country operates a mixed economy with a central bank (Bank of Ghana).

**What international organizations is Ghana a member of?**
Ghana is a member of the United Nations (since 1957), Commonwealth of Nations, African Union, World Trade Organization, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It is also a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation.

**What is Ghana's human development status?**
Ghana has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.632 (2021). The Inequality-adjusted HDI is 0.458 (2021). The country is classified as a "free country" according to Freedom House.

**What languages are spoken in Ghana?**
English is the official language. The country recognizes over 80 languages, including Akan, Dagbanli, Ewe, Ga, and Ghanaian Sign Language.

## Why It Matters
Ghana matters as a significant political and economic entity in West Africa. Since its inception in 1957, it has maintained a distinct national identity, replacing colonial structures like the Gold Coast Colony. Its stable democratic governance, evidenced by its Democracy Index score of 6.50 and status as a "free country," makes it a notable example of political stability in the region.

The country plays an active role in international diplomacy, maintaining relations with major global powers and participating in key international bodies like the UN, WTO, and the African Union. Economically, it is a hub for regional commerce, evidenced by the presence of companies like Jumià and its own open data initiatives. Its culture is rich and diverse, supported by a high degree of linguistic variety and recognized culinary heritage.

## Notable For
- **High Linguistic Diversity**: Home to over 80 living languages and dialects, including the officially recognized English, Akan, and Ghanaian Sign Language.
- **Democratic Stability**: Recognized as a "free country" with a consistent democracy index score and active participation in international governance.
- **Historical Legacy**: Named after the ancient Ghana Empire, though geographically distinct from it; the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957 (inferred from inception date and historical context).
- **Economic Hub**: Hosts the African e-commerce company Jumià and has a substantial nominal GDP of $72.8 billion (2022).
- **Geography**: Features the highest point, Mount Afadja, and the lowest point at the Gulf of Guinea.

## Body

### History and Independence
Ghana's path to sovereignty began with its inception in 1957. It replaced the Dominion of Ghana, the Gold Coast Colony, and British Togoland. The country is named after the Ghana Empire, a historical entity located northwest of modern Ghana. It has maintained a continuous existence as a sovereign state for over six decades.

### Geography and Environment
Ghana occupies a territory of 238,535 square kilometres in West Africa. The country lies at coordinates latitude 7.9465 and longitude -1.0232, placing it in the sub-Saharan region. The landscape is characterized by coastal plains and inland savannahs, with the highest point being Mount Afadja.

The country shares its northern border with Burkina Faso, its western border with Ivory Coast, and its eastern border with Togo. The southern coast borders the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Gulf of Guinea (lowest point). Significant geographical features include the coordinates of its northernmost (lat: 11.17) and southernmost (lat: 4.73964894) points.

### Government and Politics
Ghana operates as a presidential constitutional republic with a democratic system of government. The President serves as both head of state and head of government. The executive body is the Government of Ghana, and the legislative body is the Parliament of Ghana. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of Judicature.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2021, the population is approximately 32,833,031. The population has grown from approximately 6.6 million in 1960 to over 32.8 million in 2021, with an urban population of approximately 19.6 million versus a rural population of approximately 13.8 million in 2022.

The society is multilingual and multi-ethnic. The official language is English, with approximately 1.4 million second-language speakers. Recognized languages include Akan, Dagbanli, Ewe, Ga, and many others like Dagaare, Dangme, and Kasem. The birth rate is 27.08 per 1,000 people (2022), and the death rate is 7.585 per 1,000 people (2022).

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy is characterized by a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $72.8 billion (2022). The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 43.5 (2016). The currency is the Ghana cedi (since 1965), replacing the Ghanaian pound (1958-1965). The Bank of Ghana serves as the central bank.

Infrastructure includes a right-hand traffic system. The electrical system operates at 230V and 50Hz using British-type plugs (BS 1363). The VAT rate is 15%. Key technical identifiers include the international calling code +233 and the internet top-level domain .gh.

### International Relations and Memberships
Ghana maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including Germany, the United States, China, Russia, and neighboring West African nations. It is a member of the United Nations (since 1957), Commonwealth of Nations (since 1957), African Union, World Trade Organization, and the Economic Community of West African States.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the Flag of Ghana. The coat of arms is the Coat of arms of Ghana. The anthem is "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana." The motto is "Freedom and Justice" (Rhyddid a Chyfiawnder).

### Administrative Divisions
Ghana is divided into 16 regions: Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western, Oti, Savannah, Bono, Ahafo, Western North, Bono East, and North East. Each region has its own administrative structure.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
The country uses the .gh top-level internet domain and has an international calling code of +233. The ISO codes are Alpha-2: GH, Alpha-3: GHA, Numeric: 288. The M49 code is 288. The emergency numbers are 999 (general), 191 (police), 192 (fire), and 193 (ambulance). The timezone is UTC±00:00 (Africa/Accra). The license plate code is GH.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38539751)
2. GeoNames
3. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/ghana)
4. [Nana Akufo-Addo sworn in as Ghana’s new president. Al Jazeera English](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/nana-akufo-addo-sworn-ghana-president-170107124239549.html)
5. [Source](https://www.bog.gov.gh/bank-notes-coins/evolution-of-currency-in-ghana/)
6. BnF authorities
7. OpenStreetMap
8. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2020f/africa)
9. Lingua Libre
10. [Source](https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/ghana)
11. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
12. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/GHANA)
13. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
14. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/ghana)
15. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
16. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
17. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=129)
18. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
19. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/ghana)
20. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
21. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
22. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
25. FIPS 10-4
26. MusicBrainz
27. Virtual International Authority File
28. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
29. World Bank Open Data
30. census
31. [Source](http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/2010phc/Projected%20population%20by%20sex%202010%20-%202016.pdf)
32. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?end=2021&locations=GH&start=2021)
33. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
34. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
35. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
36. [Utrikes namnbok. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. 2015](https://www.regeringen.se/4a3eb3/contentassets/e27ee47ea294461bbb0f39b68d31c540/utrikes_namnbok_10.e_reviderade_upplagan.pdf)
37. The National Terminology Database for Irish
38. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
39. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
41. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
42. BabelNet
43. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
44. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
45. UMLS 2023
46. English as a Global Language, second edition
47. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
48. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
49. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
50. Dizionario di Storia