Ghana – Key Facts
General Information
- Official Name: Republic of Ghana
- Capital City: Accra
- Population: Approximately 34 million
- Area: 238,533 km²
- Official Language(s): English
- Currency: Ghanaian Cedi
- Currency Code: GHS
- Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
- Dialing Code: +233
Government
- Head of State: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (President)
- Head of Government: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (President)
- Government Type: Presidential Republic
- Independence Day: March 6th, 1957
- National Anthem: “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana”
Geography
- Continent: Africa
- Borders with: Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo
- Notable Landmarks: Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Park, Lake Volta
- Major Rivers/Waterways: Volta River
- Highest Point: Mount Afadja (885 meters)
- Largest City: Accra
Economy
- GDP (nominal): $78.3 billion (2022)
- Main Industries: Gold mining, cocoa, oil and gas, agriculture
- Major Exports: Cocoa, gold, oil, timber
- Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
- Currency Exchange Rate (to USD): 1 USD = 13 GHS (approx.)
Culture and Society
- National Religion(s): Christianity, Islam, indigenous religions
- Famous Festivals: Homowo, Odwira Festival, Chale Wote
- National Symbols:
- Flag: Red, yellow, green with a black star in the center
- National Animal: Cow
- National Flower: Yellow Trumpet
History
- Colonial History: British colony, formerly known as the Gold Coast
- Independence: Gained independence on March 6, 1957, the first African country to do so
- Historical Events: First African country to gain independence, Kwame Nkrumah’s Pan-African leadership
Miscellaneous
- Internet Country Code: .gh
- Popular Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, athletics
- Famous People: Kwame Nkrumah (first president), Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General)
- UN Member: Yes, since 1957
