Ghana

Ghana is a country in West Africa along the Gulf of Guinea. Its capital is Accra. The official language is English, with widely spoken local languages such as Akan (including Twi and Fante), Ewe, and Ga. The population is about 32 million. Since the 1990s, Ghana has been regarded as a stable democracy with regular elections.

Geography and environment: Ghana borders Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to the east, with a southern coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The landscape ranges from tropical forests in the south to savanna in the north, and Lake Volta is a large artificial lake created by the Akosombo Dam.

Economy: The economy is diverse, with agriculture, mining, and services. Cocoa and gold have long been major exports, and oil production began in the 2010s. The currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS). The country has focused on improving infrastructure, education, and regional integration to support growth.

History: The modern state originated as the Gold Coast, which gained independence from Britain in 1957 under Kwame Nkrumah, the first sub-Saharan African colony to do so. It became a republic in 1960. After periods of military rule, a 1992 constitution established a multi-party system and civilian rule, continuing to the present.

Society and culture: Ethnically diverse, Ghana’s largest groups are Akan, followed by Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, and Ga-Dangme. Christianity and Islam are the major religions. The country is known for music such as highlife and for textiles like kente. UNESCO sites include the Forts and Castles of the Atlantic slave trade, such as Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle.