The Republic of Ghana is located in West-Africa region; alongside the Gulf of Guinea (coastline: 539 km). It expands over a total area of: 238,540 sq. km (land: 230,020 sq. km; water: 8,520 sq. km).

Its bordering countries are: in the North: Burkina Faso over 548 km; in the West: Cote d'Ivoire over 668 km; in the East: Togo over 877 km.

Population: 18,887,626 (July 1999); 20,467,747 (July 2003 est.); with a population growth rate of: 2.05% (1999); 1.45% (2003 est.)

Independence from the United Kingdom: March 6, 1957
National holiday: March, 6

Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber.

Agriculture production:cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber

Industrial production: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing. Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1998)

Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance: since quite ten years the country received constant support from the international financial institutions - IMF and the World Bank.

Ghana economy is still dominated by agriculture, which accounts for 36% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders. Ghana is one of the top three world's producer of cocoa and coffee.

Natural resources: Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange.

On January 7, 2009, John Atta Mills, Ghana's new president, took office from John Kufuor, who had finished his constitutional second term as head of state. John Atta Mills's victory marks the second peaceful transition in a decade. A noticeable accomplishment that places Ghana as a bastion of "democracy" in Africa.

The new rulers will have to demonstrate their ability to turn the economy around. That is to say remove the country from cash crops (cocoa, gold, coffee) dependency; diversify the economy base in order to fulfill the hope of their constituents who are waiting since 1956 for a better life.

Indeed, the inflation rate (17% - 2008) combined with the growth rate of the population (1.15% - 2005) show that the economy is shrinking, year in year out, in spite of an average economic growth rate of 5% per annum since one decade. That's the reason why seventy-eight percent of the populations is at the beginning of the new millennium living with less than US$ 2 par day. For more statistics about Ghana's economy click here.

Ghana had highly educated human resources to move ahead - 44 years after the independence - to becoming one of the economic driving force of West Africa. Particularly now that Ivory Coast is in deep political and social turmoil since September 19, 2002.

Click here for a "Strategic economic scheme for an African country"
Click here to see Why Ghana needs double-digit annual economic growth-rate.

There are business opportunities in almost all economic sectors and particularly in Gold mining,food processing, crops transformation (shea nuts), low cost housing scheme, tourism development. Etc.

MORE ON GHANA 1- Culture & Customs of Ghana by Steven J. Salm 2- Translating The Devil Religion & Modernity Among The Ewe In Ghana / by Birgit Meyer 3- Master Weaver From Ghana by Gilbert Ahiagble 4- The Royal Kingdoms Ghana, Mali & Songhay Life In Medieval Africa by Pat MacKissack 5- African Spirituality On Becoming Ancestors by Anthony Ephirim-Donkor 6- Extreme Canvas Movie Poster Paintings From Ghana by Ernie, III Wolfe

7- Asante Identities History & Modernity In An African Village 1850-1950 by T.C. McCaskie 8- West African Kingdoms by July Nelson 9- The Baobab & The Mango Tree Lessons About Development - Asian & African Contrasts by Scott Thompson 10- A Child Day In A Ghanaian City by Francis Provencal 11- Understanding The Traditional Art of Ghana by Emmanuel V. Asihene 12- The Politics of Divination A Processual View of Reactions To Illness And Deviance Among The Suala of Northern Ghana by Eugene L. Mendonsa 13- More News On Ghana by Yahoo!

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GNP: US$ 4.153 billion (2000); 4.276 billion (2001): 14.166 billion (2002 est.)
GNP-growth rate: 3 % (2000); 3% (2001); 4.5% (2002)
GNP-per capita: US$ 210 (2000); 708 (2002)

Click here for the difference between GNP and Parity Purchasing

GNP-composition by sector

1. agriculture: 36%
   

2. industry: 25%
   
3. services: 39%

Exports: US$ 1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000); 2.2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Commodities:gold 39%, cocoa 35%, timber 9.4%, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, and diamonds (1998)
Imports:US$ 2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000); 2.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Commodities:capital equipment, petroleum, consumer goods, foods, intermediate goods.

FOR CURRENCY EQUIVALENCE CLICK HERE

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A valid passport (at least six months beyond the intended sojourn period) and a visa are required for most nationalities. A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is compulsory.

It is necessary to register with the Ghana Immigration Service within 48 hours of arrival if you're visiting Ghana for more than a week.

At arrival, a deposit of 17.5% on electronic equipment including cameras and computers may be required. For refunds, apply to the Customs and Excise Office in Accra 48 hours before departure.

Also ensure to receive an export permit for any local cloth or crafts from the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board.

For more on entry policy requirement contact one of the following addresses

England Ghana High Commission 104 Highgate Hill, London N6 5HE Tel: +(44) 181 3428686 Fax: +(44) 181 3458566 ghmfa31@msn.com	Ghana Tourist Board PO Box 3106, Tesano Nsawam Road, Accra Tel: +(233) 21 231779 / 222153 Fax: +(233) 21 231779 gtb@africaonline.com.gh
Belgium Ghana High Commission 7 General Wahisin laan B-1030 Brussels Tel: +(32) 2 7058220	Canada Ghana High Commission No. l Clemow Avenue, The Glebe Ottawa, Ontario KLS 2A9 Tel: +(1) 613 2360871/4 Fax: +(1) 613 2360874
Germany Embassy of Ghana Rheinalles 58 5300 Bonn 2 Tel: +(49) 228 352011 / 3	USA Embassy of Ghana 3512 International Drive NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: +(1) 202 6864520 Fax: +(1) 202 686-4527 http://www.ghana-embassy.org/

The following airlines companies have regular connections through Accra airport: Ghana Airways - the national flag carrier - Air-Afrique, UTA, MEA, Ethiopian Airlines, West Coast Airlines Ltd,, United Arab Airlines, Race Cargo Airlines, Lufthansa, K.L.M, Egyptian Airlines, Cab Aviation, Bulgarian Airlines, British Airlines, American Airlines, Alitalia.

Below are listed few hotels around the country. Visit Ghana Hotels Network for more information about accommodation in Ghana: hotelnet/welcome