Ghana is a West African country with a population of 22.9 million. It gained independence in 1957 and is a constitutional democracy. The country faces challenges such as infectious diseases, water pollution, deforestation, and wildlife endangerment. Ghana’s economy relies on agriculture and industries such as gold mining and food processing. Common foods include Jollof rice, Fufu, and peanut stew.
Ghana is a West African country, with its southern border formed by the Gulf of Guinea. Ivory Coast lies to the west, Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east. The capital is Accra. The country’s official name is the Republic of Ghana, and it is a constitutional democracy. Ghana was formed in 1957 from the merger of the Togoland trust territory with the British colony of the Gold Coast, and was the first of the sub-Saharan countries to gain independence. A series of coups followed, with a new constitution in 1992 restoring a multi-party political system.
The population estimate in July 2007 was 22,931,299. There is a very high risk of infectious disease and life expectancy at birth is 59.12 years. The literacy rate was less than 58%, in 2000. Although English is the official language of Ghana, less than 36% of people speak it. The other major languages include Asante, Ewe and Fante.
Ghana suffers from both drought and water pollution, endangering the supply of drinking water. Between deforestation, which is destroying habitat, and poaching, wildlife is under threat. Overgrazing and soil erosion are also problems.
Ghana’s agricultural products include peanuts, shea nuts, cassava, cocoa, rice, coffee, bananas and maize, as well as timber. Industries include gold mining, aluminum smelting, manufacturing, and food processing. Ghana’s main export partners are the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Belgium and France, and the commodities it exports include gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, various minerals and diamonds. The main import partners, from which Ghana buys capital goods, oil and food, are Nigeria, China, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, South Africa and France.
Common foods in Ghana include:
Jollof rice, a dish made with meat, rice and tomatoes
Fufu, a starchy dish made with pounded vegetables and used to scoop food
Bangu, a corn dish that has been fermented
Fried plantains, called Kelewele, seasoned with ginger and chilli
Peanut stew, made with greens and black beans
Akara, or black-eyed pea fritters
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