• The Republic of Ghana is a nation in West Africa. It shares borders with the Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo. The Gulf of Guinea runs along its southern border.

• Fast Facts

  1. Capital: Accra
  2. Government: Constitutional Republic
  3. Population: 22,931,299
  4. Currency: Ghanaian Cedi
  5. Exchange Rate: 9267.30
  6. Official Language: English

• History

  The country was the location of several ancient kingdoms including the Ga Adangbes on the eastern coast, the inland Empire of Ashanti and states of the Fante. After contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century Ghana became a major source of trade between Europe and Africa. In 1874 the British established the Gold Coast colony.

• Independence

  In 1957 Ghana became the first black African nation in the sub-Saharan region to achieve independence. After enduring years of corruption and mismanagement a series of coups led to the rise of Lt. Jerry Rawlings in 1981. Rawlings banned all political parties until 1992 when he approved a new constitution. Rawlings won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 and was succeeded by John Kufuor in 2000. Elections for a new president are planned for December 2008.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Ivory Coast | South Africa | World Bank | Africa | African Union | Hinduism | World Trade Organization | International Monetary Fund

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