Discover Fascinating Ghana Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Ghana.

Ghana

Background

๐ŸŒ 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? ๐ŸŽ‰ This marks a significant milestone in the fight for freedom and self-governance!

๐Ÿ‘ถ 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! ๐Ÿš€

Year of Independence

1957

Percentage of Population under 25

57%

Ghana's Age Structure

Exports - commodities

Ghana is famous for its amazing exports! ๐ŸŒโœจ 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! โ›ฝ
  • Cocoa Beans: Chocolate lovers rejoice! Ghana produces some of the best cocoa in the world! ๐Ÿซ
  • Coconuts, Brazil Nuts, and Cashews: A tasty selection of nuts that adds crunch to any dish! ๐Ÿฅฅ
  • Cocoa Paste: An essential ingredient in many delicious treats!

These commodities showcase Ghanaโ€™s rich agricultural and mineral resources, making it a key player in the global market. ๐ŸŒŸ

Top Exports of Ghana

Gold, Crude Petroleum, Cocoa Beans, Coconuts/Brazil Nuts/Cashews, Cocoa Paste

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ Ghana's biggest trade partners can be quite interesting! In 2022, hereโ€™s how the exports stacked up:

  • UAE: 24% ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • Switzerland: 17% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ
  • United States: 14% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • India: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • China: 10% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

As you can see, the UAE takes the lead, accounting for nearly a quarter of Ghana's exports! ๐Ÿฅ‡๐Ÿ’ผ Let's dive deeper into how these countries contribute to the economy with a fun pie chart! ๐Ÿ“Š

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰

Imports - commodities

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿš— ๐Ÿ”‹
  • Plastic Products: Used in countless items from packaging to manufacturing. โ™ป๏ธ
  • Garments: Clothing imports play a huge role in fashion and industry. ๐Ÿ‘—
  • Coated Flat-Rolled Iron: Important for construction and infrastructure. ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • Ships: Crucial for trade and transportation across the sea. โ›ด๏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

๐ŸŒž Ghana is a tropical country that experiences different climates across its regions! Hereโ€™s a fun breakdown:

  • The southeast coast is warm and comparatively dry, making it a great place for sunny beach days! ๐Ÿ–๏ธ
  • The southwest region is hot and humid, which feels like a warm hug from nature! โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ฆ
  • Meanwhile, the north of Ghana is hot and dry, perfect for those who enjoy the sunshine without much humidity! ๐ŸŒต๐Ÿ”ฅ

Itโ€™s 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

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ Meet the Leaders of Ghana! ๐ŸŒŸ
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! ๐ŸŽ‰
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

๐ŸŒ In Ghana, the Legislative branch is made up of a unicameral Parliament! This means they have only one legislative house. ๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Seats in Parliament

275

Natural resources

Ghana is rich in natural resources! ๐ŸŒ Hereโ€™s 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. ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Timber: The forests in Ghana provide beautiful timber that is used in many ways! ๐Ÿชต
  • Industrial Diamonds: Yes, diamonds! Ghana produces these shiny gems too! ๐Ÿ’Ž
  • Bauxite: This mineral is vital for making aluminum, and Ghana has plenty of it! ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • Manganese: Used in steel production, manganese is another key resource. โš™๏ธ
  • Fish: With its vast coastlines, fishing is an important industry in Ghana. ๐ŸŽฃ
  • Rubber: The rubber trees in Ghana provide a gooey resource used in all sorts of products! ๐ŸŽˆ
  • Hydropower: Ghana harnesses the power of water to produce electricity! ๐Ÿ’งโšก
  • Petroleum: This liquid gold helps fuel the economy and vehicles! โ›ฝ
  • Silver: Another precious metal found in the country. ๐ŸŒŸ
  • Salt: Essential for cooking and preserving, salt is plentiful! ๐Ÿง‚
  • Limestone: Important for construction, limestone is also found in abundance! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

These resources play a big role in Ghana's economy and help keep life vibrant and thriving! ๐ŸŒฑ

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 ๐ŸŒ! It is a major exporter of gold, oil, and cocoa, which are crucial for its economy ๐Ÿฅ‡๐Ÿซ. However, the country faces some macroeconomic challenges after almost 40 years of steady growth ๐Ÿ“‰.

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 ๐Ÿ“Š. This program is a hopeful step towards a stable and prosperous future for the nation! ๐ŸŒŸ

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! ๐ŸŽ‰ 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! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ

Ethnic groups

In Ghana, the people celebrate a rich diversity of ethnic groups! ๐ŸŽ‰ 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! ๐ŸŒŠ
  • 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! ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐ŸŒโœจ 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. ๐Ÿ•Œ

  • Traditional beliefs still hold significance for 3.2% of the population, while 4.5% of individuals identify with other religions. ๐ŸŒฟ

  • Interestingly, 1.1% of people in Ghana say they have no religion at all. ๐Ÿšซ

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! ๐ŸŒ Hereโ€™s how the different languages are spoken by the people:

  • Asante: 16% ๐ŸŒŸ
  • Ewe: 14% ๐ŸŒ€
  • Fante: 11.6% ๐Ÿ‘‚
  • Boron (Brong): 4.9% ๐ŸŒฒ
  • Dagomba: 4.4% ๐Ÿฆ™
  • Dangme: 4.2% ๐Ÿš
  • Dagarte (Dagaba): 3.9% ๐ŸŒพ
  • Kokomba: 3.5% ๐ŸŒป
  • Akyem: 3.2% ๐Ÿƒ
  • Ga: 3.1% ๐Ÿ–๏ธ
  • Other Languages: 31.2% ๐ŸŒˆ

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. ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Percentage of All Languages

100%

Languages Spoken in Ghana

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ 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. ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Lastly, Cote d'Ivoire accounted for 4% of imports. Isn't it interesting how these countries contribute to Ghana's economy? ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Top Import Partner

China

Percentage of Imports from China

41%

Ghana's Import Partners (2022)

Population

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ‘ซ๐Ÿ‘ฌ๐Ÿ‘ญ

Total Population of Ghana

34,589,092

Area

๐ŸŒ Ghana is a country with a total area of 238,533 sq km! This includes vast lands and beautiful water bodies. ๐Ÿ’ง Let's check out the breakdown:

  • Land Area: 227,533 sq km ๐Ÿž๏ธ
  • Water Area: 11,000 sq km ๐ŸŒŠ

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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆโœจ

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

๐Ÿ’ฐ 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. Hereโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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

๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰

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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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. ๐ŸŒŸ

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. ๐Ÿš€

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ“ˆ

Population Growth Rate (2024 Est.)

2.15%