Discover Fascinating Ghana Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Ghana.
Ghana
Background
๐ Ghana's Journey to Independence: Did you know that in 1957, Ghana became the very first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to break free and gain its independence? ๐ This marks a significant milestone in the fight for freedom and self-governance!
๐ถ A Young Population: What's even more interesting is that Ghana has a vibrant and youthful population! Approximately 57% of the people are under the age of 25, making it a nation brimming with energy and potential! ๐
Year of Independence
1957
Percentage of Population under 25
57%
Ghana's Age Structure
Exports - commodities
Ghana is famous for its amazing exports! ๐โจ The country shines particularly brightly in these commodities:
- Gold: The shining metal that's always in demand!
- Crude Petroleum: Fueling the world with its rich resources! โฝ
- Cocoa Beans: Chocolate lovers rejoice! Ghana produces some of the best cocoa in the world! ๐ซ
- Coconuts, Brazil Nuts, and Cashews: A tasty selection of nuts that adds crunch to any dish! ๐ฅฅ
- Cocoa Paste: An essential ingredient in many delicious treats!
These commodities showcase Ghanaโs rich agricultural and mineral resources, making it a key player in the global market. ๐
Top Exports of Ghana
Gold, Crude Petroleum, Cocoa Beans, Coconuts/Brazil Nuts/Cashews, Cocoa Paste
Exports - partners
๐ Ghana's biggest trade partners can be quite interesting! In 2022, hereโs how the exports stacked up:
- UAE: 24% ๐ฆ๐ช
- Switzerland: 17% ๐จ๐ญ
- United States: 14% ๐บ๐ธ
- India: 10% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- China: 10% ๐จ๐ณ
As you can see, the UAE takes the lead, accounting for nearly a quarter of Ghana's exports! ๐ฅ๐ผ Let's dive deeper into how these countries contribute to the economy with a fun pie chart! ๐
Top Export Partner
UAE
Percentage of Exports to UAE
24%
Percentage of Exports to Switzerland
17%
Percentage of Exports to US
14%
Percentage of Exports to India
10%
Percentage of Exports to China
10%
Ghana's Export Partners in 2022
Capital
๐ The capital city of Ghana is Accra! It's a vibrant city full of culture, history, and beautiful sights. Accra is a bustling metropolis where you can experience the lively spirit of Ghanaian life. From delicious street food to colorful markets, there's always something exciting happening in Accra! ๐
Imports - commodities
๐ Ghana imports a variety of essential commodities that support its economy. Here are some of the key imports:
- Refined Petroleum: A vital component for transportation and energy. ๐ ๐
- Plastic Products: Used in countless items from packaging to manufacturing. โป๏ธ
- Garments: Clothing imports play a huge role in fashion and industry. ๐
- Coated Flat-Rolled Iron: Important for construction and infrastructure. ๐๏ธ
- Ships: Crucial for trade and transportation across the sea. โด๏ธ
These commodities showcase the diverse imports that fuel various sectors within Ghana's economy!
Key Imports
Refined Petroleum, Plastic Products, Garments, Coated Flat-Rolled Iron, Ships
Climate
๐ Ghana is a tropical country that experiences different climates across its regions! Hereโs a fun breakdown:
- The southeast coast is warm and comparatively dry, making it a great place for sunny beach days! ๐๏ธ
- The southwest region is hot and humid, which feels like a warm hug from nature! โ๏ธ๐ฆ
- Meanwhile, the north of Ghana is hot and dry, perfect for those who enjoy the sunshine without much humidity! ๐ต๐ฅ
Itโs fascinating how diverse the climate can be within just one country! Each region has its unique weather patterns that contribute to Ghana's rich environment and lifestyle.
Executive branch
๐ฌ๐ญ Meet the Leaders of Ghana! ๐
In Ghana, the executive branch is led by the dynamic President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, who has been in charge since January 7, 2017. Both roles as the chief of state and the head of government are held by him. This means he plays a vital role in guiding the nation! ๐
Ghana is fortunate to have such a dedicated leader steering the country forward!
President
Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO
In position since
January 7, 2017
Legislative branch
๐ In Ghana, the Legislative branch is made up of a unicameral Parliament! This means they have only one legislative house. ๐๏ธ
The Parliament consists of 275 seats, where members work hard to represent the people and make important decisions for the country. Let's dive into some interesting statistics! ๐
Total Seats in Parliament
275
Natural resources
Ghana is rich in natural resources! ๐ Hereโs a quick peek at what Mother Nature has blessed this beautiful country with:
- Gold: Ghana is known as one of the world's top gold producers. ๐ฐ
- Timber: The forests in Ghana provide beautiful timber that is used in many ways! ๐ชต
- Industrial Diamonds: Yes, diamonds! Ghana produces these shiny gems too! ๐
- Bauxite: This mineral is vital for making aluminum, and Ghana has plenty of it! ๐๏ธ
- Manganese: Used in steel production, manganese is another key resource. โ๏ธ
- Fish: With its vast coastlines, fishing is an important industry in Ghana. ๐ฃ
- Rubber: The rubber trees in Ghana provide a gooey resource used in all sorts of products! ๐
- Hydropower: Ghana harnesses the power of water to produce electricity! ๐งโก
- Petroleum: This liquid gold helps fuel the economy and vehicles! โฝ
- Silver: Another precious metal found in the country. ๐
- Salt: Essential for cooking and preserving, salt is plentiful! ๐ง
- Limestone: Important for construction, limestone is also found in abundance! ๐๏ธ
These resources play a big role in Ghana's economy and help keep life vibrant and thriving! ๐ฑ
Key Natural Resources in Ghana
Gold, Timber, Industrial Diamonds, Bauxite, Manganese, Fish, Rubber, Hydropower, Petroleum, Silver, Salt, Limestone
Economic overview
Ghana is an exciting West African country known for being a lower-middle income economy ๐! It is a major exporter of gold, oil, and cocoa, which are crucial for its economy ๐ฅ๐ซ. However, the country faces some macroeconomic challenges after almost 40 years of steady growth ๐.
Recently, Ghana has made significant progress in its economic management, especially with debt restructuring, fiscal reforms, and ensuring financial stability. One of the key strategies is the IMF credit facility program for 2023-2026, which aims to curb overwhelming inflation ๐. This program is a hopeful step towards a stable and prosperous future for the nation! ๐
Economic classification
Lower-middle income
Major exports
Gold, Oil, Cocoa
Duration of growth
Nearly 40 years
IMF facility period
2023-2026
Government type
Ghana is a Presidential Republic! ๐ This means that the President is both the head of state and the head of government. In a presidential system, the President is elected independently of the legislative body, allowing for a separation of powers. This structure helps maintain a balance in governance, which is super important for democracy! ๐ณ๏ธ
Ethnic groups
In Ghana, the people celebrate a rich diversity of ethnic groups! ๐ Here are some exciting statistics about the different groups:
- Akan: 45.7% - The largest ethnic group, making up almost half of Ghana's population!
- Mole-Dagbani: 18.5% - A significant slice of the population as well.
- Ewe: 12.8% - Known for their vibrant culture and traditions.
- Ga-Dangme: 7.1% - The people of the city and coastline! ๐
- Gurma: 6.4% - A proud group with their own unique heritage.
- Guan: 3.2% - Adding to the cultural tapestry of Ghana.
- Grusi: 2.7% - Another proud group in the mix!
- Mande: 2% - Contributing to the ethnic richness.
- Other: 1.6% - Representing the smaller but important groups in Ghana!
Together, these ethnic groups create a colorful and dynamic society! ๐
Largest Ethnic Group
Akan
Second Largest Ethnic Group
Mole-Dagbani
Percentage of Ewe Ethnic Group
12.8%
Ethnic Groups in Ghana (2021)
Religions
In Ghana, the religious landscape is vibrant and diverse! ๐โจ Let's break it down:
-
Christianity is the dominant faith, holding a whopping 71.3% of the population! That's a huge number, and within Christianity, we see:
- Pentecostal/Charismatic - 31.6%
- Protestant - 17.4%
- Catholic - 10%
- Other Christian denominations - 12.3%
-
Islam follows, with 19.9% of the people identifying as Muslim. ๐
-
Traditional beliefs still hold significance for 3.2% of the population, while 4.5% of individuals identify with other religions. ๐ฟ
-
Interestingly, 1.1% of people in Ghana say they have no religion at all. ๐ซ
This colorful mix shows how rich and varied the spiritual beliefs of Ghanaians are!
Christianity Percentage
71.3%
Islam Percentage
19.9%
Traditionalist Percentage
3.2%
Other Religions Percentage
4.5%
No Religion Percentage
1.1%
Religious Distribution in Ghana
Languages
In Ghana, a rich tapestry of languages reflects its diverse culture! ๐ Hereโs how the different languages are spoken by the people:
- Asante: 16% ๐
- Ewe: 14% ๐
- Fante: 11.6% ๐
- Boron (Brong): 4.9% ๐ฒ
- Dagomba: 4.4% ๐ฆ
- Dangme: 4.2% ๐
- Dagarte (Dagaba): 3.9% ๐พ
- Kokomba: 3.5% ๐ป
- Akyem: 3.2% ๐
- Ga: 3.1% ๐๏ธ
- Other Languages: 31.2% ๐
This illustrates the vibrant linguistic landscape in the country! Each percentage shows how many people speak these languages, and together they reveal an abundant mix of cultural influences. ๐
Total Percentage of All Languages
100%
Languages Spoken in Ghana
Imports - partners
๐ Let's dive into where Ghana imports its goods from! In 2022, the top import partner for Ghana was China, making up a whopping 41% of all imports! ๐จ๐ณ That's more than any other country! Following China, we have the Netherlands with 7%, and both India and the US each contributing 5% to the mix. ๐ณ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ณ๐บ๐ธ Lastly, Cote d'Ivoire accounted for 4% of imports. Isn't it interesting how these countries contribute to Ghana's economy? ๐
Top Import Partner
China
Percentage of Imports from China
41%
Ghana's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Ghana is a vibrant country with a total population of 34,589,092 people! That's a lot of friends and families living together in this beautiful nation! ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ
Total Population of Ghana
34,589,092
Area
๐ Ghana is a country with a total area of 238,533 sq km! This includes vast lands and beautiful water bodies. ๐ง Let's check out the breakdown:
- Land Area: 227,533 sq km ๐๏ธ
- Water Area: 11,000 sq km ๐
With such a diverse geography, Ghana boasts a rich environment that supports various ecosystems and cultures!
Total Area
238533 sq km
Total Land Area
227533 sq km
Total Water Area
11000 sq km
Ghana's Area Distribution
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Ghana's economy is looking strong with its Real GDP based on purchasing power parity! ๐๐ฐ In 2023, the GDP is estimated to be $229.639 billion, up from $223.07 billion in 2022, and $214.867 billion in 2021. This shows a steady growth in the economy year over year, which is great news for its citizens and the country's development! ๐โจ
Real GDP in 2023
$229.639 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$223.07 billion
Real GDP in 2021
$214.867 billion
Ghana's Real GDP Growth (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐ฐ Let's take a look at how much money each person in Ghana makes on average! This is measured in Real GDP per capita, which is an important indicator of a country's economic performance. Hereโs what we found for the past few years:
- In 2023, it was $6,700
- In 2022, it was also $6,700
- In 2021, it was a bit lower at $6,500.
It looks like Ghana's GDP per capita has been pretty steady over the last two years, which is a good sign for the economy! ๐
GDP per capita in 2021
6500 USD
GDP per capita in 2022
6700 USD
GDP per capita in 2023
6700 USD
Real GDP per Capita in Ghana (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Let's dive into Ghana's import data over the past few years! In 2022, Ghana imported a staggering $26.329 billion, which shows an increase from $25.967 billion in 2021. Just a year earlier, in 2020, the country imported $24.545 billion. This trend tells us that imports in Ghana are trending upward! ๐
Import Value in 2022
$26.329 billion
Import Value in 2021
$25.967 billion
Import Value in 2020
$24.545 billion
Ghana's Import Trends Over the Years
Exports
Ghana is growing its economy with strong export numbers! ๐ In 2022, the country's exports reached a whopping $25.744 billion! This shows an increase from $23.901 billion in 2021 and $22.077 billion in 2020. ๐
Take a look at this impressive upward trend in exports over the past three years! This growth is essential for Ghana's development and prosperity. ๐
Exports in 2022
25.744 billion USD
Exports in 2021
23.901 billion USD
Exports in 2020
22.077 billion USD
Ghana's Export Growth Over the Years
Population growth rate
๐ Ghana's population is on the rise! In 2024, the estimated growth rate is 2.15%. This means more people are calling Ghana home every year! With such growth, the country will see exciting changes in its communities and resources! ๐๐
Population Growth Rate (2024 Est.)
2.15%