|
Ghana
Physical. Ghana is located in West Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea,
between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. It spans an area slightly smaller than Oregon.
Ghana has a tropical climate that is warm and relatively dry along the southeast
coast, hot and humid in the southwest, and hot and dry in the north. The terrain
is mostly low plains with dissected plateau in the south-central area. Natural
resources in Ghana are: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite manganese,
fish, rubber, and hydropower.
People. Ghana is home to more than 20 million people. English is the
official language, with the languages of each tribal group in use as well.
Ethnically, the population is almost African. Major religious beliefs are:
Christian (63%) indigenous beliefs (21%) and Muslim (16%).
Government. In December, 2000, John Kufuor defeated sitting
vice-president John Atta Mills in the first real transfer of power through
elections for Ghana. The election ended 20 years of rule by the incumbent
president who had ruled in violation of the constitution. President Kufuor has
promoted reconciliation without recrimination in a country with a history of
political division.
Economy. Through efforts in the 1990's, Ghana made gradual but steady
progress rebuilding its economy. These gains have modestly benefited many
Ghanaians. The World bank/IMF sponsored Economic Recovery Program (ERP) has cost
many ordinary (especially urban) Ghanaians in falling wages and rising
inflation. Unemployment has continued to increase in many areas and is estimated
today at 20%.The country has achieved economic growth and was awarded a
debt-relief package and the ERP program has surprising support from lower urban
income groups. Nonetheless when adjusted for inflation, per capita income
remains below the level that existed in 1957 when Ghana achieved independence.
Areas of Concern. Drought, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion,
threatened wildlife populations, water pollution, and insufficient potable water
are Ghana’s primary environmental concerns. Growth of the economy remains an
elusive goal. Human rights and the psychological and physiological after-effects
of their abuse are of concern as the new president tries to heal internal
conflicts.
Ghana statistics
Geography
Area: 92,100 square miles
Capital: Accra (pop 1,925,000)
Environmental concerns: drought; deforestation; over grazing; soil erosion;
threatened wildlife populations; water pollution; insufficient potable water
Geographical features: low plains with dissected plateau
Climate: tropical
People
20,245,000 people; nearly 100% African
Annual growth rate: 1.7%
Major languages are English; Akan; Ewe; Ga
Religions: Christian (63%); indigenous beliefs (21%); Muslim (16%)
Health and social issues
Life expectancy: Men, 56 years; women, 59 years
Infant mortality: 55.6 deaths per 1000 live births
31.4 % of the population lives in poverty
1 physician per 22,452 people
HIV/AIDS rate in adults: 3.6%
64.5% of adults are literate
Compulsory education (Ages): 6-16 years
Communication and transportation
240,000 main telephone lines
170,000 Internet users (2002)
24,428 miles of highway
592 miles of railroad
12 airfields
135,000 motor vehicles
Government
Ghana is a constitutional democracy and gained its independence from the United
Kingdom on March 6, 1957
President John Agyekum Kufuor is both head of state and government
3 major political parties
Universal suffrage at 18
Military
Military expenditures are 0.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Current disputes include internal conflicts
Economy
Currency: cedis
Per capita GDP: $1,980
GDP: $ 39.4 billion
GDP growth rate: 0.3%
Inflation rate: 25%
Labor force: 39% services; 36% agriculture; 25% industry
Resources and industry
Natural resources: gold; timber; industrial diamonds; bauxite; manganese;
fish; rubber; hydropower
Agriculture: cocoa beans; rice; coffee; cassava; peanuts; corn; shea nuts;
bananas; timber; fish
Industry: mining; lumbering; light manufacturing; aluminum smelting; food
processing
Exports: $1.94 billion
Imports: $2.83 billion
Suggested web sites
www.ghana.gov.gh
www.ghana.com
www.ghana-embassy.org
www.ghanaweb.com
|
