The Republic of Ghana Africa

The Republic of Ghana is
located in the western region Africa

The Capital: Accra

Population: 35,434,000

Religion: Christianity, Muslim

Urban: (2021) 56.7% • Rural: 43.3%

Currency: Ghana cedi (GH¢)

Language: English

Ghana People - Ethnic Group

Ghana is a western African country located on the Gulf of Guinea’s coast. Despite its tiny size and population, Ghana is one of Africa’s leading countries, partially due to its significant natural wealth and partly because it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to attain independence from colonial domination.

Ghana is famous for its rich history—habitation probably extending back to 10,000 BCE—and as a remarkable repository of cultural legacy, in addition to its lush forests, diversified animal life, and kilometres of sandy beaches along a lovely coast. The country was named after the large mediaeval commerce empire that existed northwest of the contemporary state until its fall in the 13th century.

Ghana Languages

Ghanaians may be classified as belonging to one broad ethnic group within the African family, however there are other subgroups. At least 75 of these can be distinguished based on their language. Many of these are extremely minor, and just ten are statistically significant. The Akan (which includes the Anyi, Asante [Ashanti], Baule, Fante, and Guang), Mole-Dagbani (see Dagomba), Ewe, Ga-Adangme (see Ga and Adangme), and Gurma are the largest of these groups. Despite the diversity, there were no major ethnic conflicts when Ghana gained independence.

Practically all the present peoples are believed to have moved into the country within the last 700 to 1,000 years in a series of migrations from the north, with the Ewe and Ga-Adangme, who occupy the southeastern corner of the country, entering from the east and southeast.

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Ghana Trade

Ghana’s principal exports—cocoa, gold, and sawn wood—are received primarily by the countries of the European Union, India, and the United Arab Emirates. Ghana’s principal imports include petroleum, equipment, and food products, originating primarily from China, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Private and governmental enterprise coexist in the economy. The services sector accounts for almost three-fifths of GDP, agriculture for nearly one-fifth, and industry for one-fourth.

Prior to independence, the government’s involvement was primarily limited to providing essential amenities such as water, electricity, trains, roads, and postal services. Agriculture, trade, banking, and industry were virtually exclusively in private hands, with foreign interests owning the majority of everything save agriculture.