Ghana, is a west African country, bounded on the north by Burkina Faso, on the east by Togo, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean,and on the west by Cote d'Ivoire.
Formerly a British colony known as the Gold Coast, was led to independence by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the 6th of March, 1957.
Ghana became the first black nation in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence from colonial rule.
The country is named after the ancient empire of Ghana, from which the ancestors of the inhabitants of the present country are thought to have migrated.
Political Highlights
Area Size Of Ghana
238,537 sq km (92,100 sq miles)
Population (Provisional Results)
24,233,431 (2010)
Male: 11,801,661 (48.7%)
Female: 12,421,770 (51.3)
Average Population Density
55.5 per sq km
Capital
Accra (3,909,764 representing 16.1 percent of the population)
International Airport
KOTOKA International Airport
Time
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is used in Ghana - e.g. Tokyo +9 hours.
Language
The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Twi, Fante, Dagbani, Ga and Ewe.
Currency
Bank of Ghana
Religion
Ghana is a secular States. Freedom of religion is permitted enshrined in the Constitution of Ghana
Independence
March 6, 1957
Creation of Republic
July 1, 1960
Currency Exchange
The Ghanaian Cedi is pegged to the US Dollar. The exchange rate system has been liberalised and foreign currency is freely available through authorised dealers including banks and forex bureaux.
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are accepted by leading hotels, restaurants, banks and businesses. The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa.
Travellers Cheques
All banks and forex bureaux accept Travellers' Cheques.
Geography
Ghana is situated in West Africa and is a rectangular-shaped country bounded to the north by Burkina Faso, the east by Togo, the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by Cote d' Ivoire. A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. In the far north is a plateau averaging 500m (1600ft) in height. In the east the Akuapim Togo hills run inland from the coast along the Togo border. The Black and White Volta rivers enter Ghana from Burkina Faso merging into the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Volta. Ghana's coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons.
Climate
Ghana has a tropical climate, characterized most of the year by moderate temperatures (generally 21-32°C (70-90°F), constant breezes and sunshine. There are 2 rainy seasons, from March to July and from September to October, separated by a short dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in the south from mid-October to March. Annual rainfall in the south averages 2,030mm but varies greatly throughout the country, with the heaviest rainfall in the Western Region and the lowest in the northern Regions.
Required Clothing: Tropical lightweight clothing. Sunglasses can be useful.
Education
There are numerous grammar, secondary, basic, commercial, technical and vocational educational institutions throughout the country as well as universities, numerous specialized tertiary institution, and a functional literacy programme targeting illiterate adults. Ghana is the Headquarters of the West African Examinations Council, which conducts examinations for most of the institutions in the first and second cycles.
Electricity
Electricity in Ghana is 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz; usually 3-pin plugs. Single phase, 3-pin plugs are used in larger buildings. Older buildings have 2-pin plugs. Light bulbs are of the bayonet type. Electricity fluctuates noticeably and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is recommended for sensitive electrical equipment, especially computers and printers (although for printers it may be more practical to have a line conditioner). When you purchase a UPS, be sure that it is intended for 50-60mhz. This is particularly true if you plan to run your 100-110volts computer off a transformer. Transformers do not covert cycles, only voltage. Before you plug your expensive UPS into an electrical outlet in Ghana, ensure that the polarity of the outlet or transformer is correct. An incorrectly wired outlet - a common occurrence - will destroy your UPS almost immediately. You can check your outlets with a voltage meter, or have an electrician check all outlets for you.
Telephone: IDD service is available in most parts of the country.
Country Code: 233.
Outgoing International Code: 001 - International calls can be made by buying a phone card or using a communication center which has an international direct dialing service.
Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are widely used. You can buy your own handset or get if from authorised dealers like Mobitel, CellTel, or Spacefon etc.
Fax: There is a 24-hour fax service throughout the country.
Telegram: Services are available from Post Offices throughout the country.
Internet: Internet Providers and Internet Cafes are available throughout the country.
Post: Airmail letters, EMS, DHL and other expedited mail services are available.
Press: Daily/Weekly newspapers are in English and include The Ghanaian Times, Daily Graphic, Business Weekly, The Mirror, Weekly Spectator, The Pioneer, Chronicle, Statesman, The Democrat, Free Press etc.
