Geography
- Full country name: Republic of Ghana
- Population: 24 million
- Border countries: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Togo
- Climate: Ghana has a tropical climate: the South East is warm and relatively dry, the South West is hot and humid while the North is hot and arid.
- Terrain: mostly flat with low plains.
- Natural hazards: dust storms and droughts in some areas. The upper west, upper east and northern regions may experience some flooding during the rainy season of March to November.
Living in Ghana
- Cost of living: fairly low compared with the UK.
- Utilities: it is reported that only 25% of Accra residents have access to clean water and sanitation facilities (even lower in other parts of Ghana). Access to electricity is variable, while internet and landline telephone access is generally available at public cafés or offices. Mobile phone coverage is fairly good but internet speeds can be slow.
- Internet domain: .gh
- Health: healthcare is often more basic than that in the UK and is quite poor in rural areas. Emergency treatments and facilities are limited and serious medical treatment may have to be administered outside the country. Diseases present in Ghana include malaria, cholera (certain times and areas) and HIV/AIDS. It is advisable to drink and use bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Be aware that street traders do not always prepare and store food under hygienic conditions.
- Laws and customs: homosexuality is illegal. Penalties for drug possession can be severe, especially as the authorities are trying to control the growing drug problem in the country. Care should be taken when taking photographs as it is strictly prohibited to take pictures of military sites or airports. For further information see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Economy and finance
- Currency: Cedi
- Type of economy: dependent on export of natural resources (primarily gold and cocoa), agriculture and the service sector.
- Health of economy: agriculture accounts for approximately one third of the GDP while the service sector accounts for 40%. High gold and cocoa prices, as well as good macro-economic management, helped to sustain GDP growth in 2008-10.
- Unemployment rate: 11%
- Main exports: gold, cocoa, timber, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds, tuna, bauxite, horticulture.
Culture
- People: the people of Ghana are made up of many indigenous tribes: Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, while 7.8% of the populations are from other ethnicities.
- Major religions: Christianity (69%), Islam (16%) and a small percentage of indigenous beliefs.
- History: see BBC Timeline: Ghana
- Local etiquette: ask permission before taking photographs of people or buildings with guards on duty. The country is very religious and conservative and modest dress (including no beachwear unless on the beach) is important.
Politics
- Type of government: constitutional democracy
- Major political parties: New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, People’s National Convention and Convention People’s Party.
Travel advice
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
website.
