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Ghana was the first place in sub-Saharan Africa where Europeans arrived to trade - first in gold, later in slaves. It was also the first black African nation in the region to achieve independence from a colonial power, in this instance Britain.
Overview
Despite being rich in mineral resources, and endowed with a good education system and efficient civil service, Ghana fell victim to corruption and mismanagement soon after independence in 1957. In 1966 its first president and pan-African hero, Kwame Nkrumah, was deposed in a coup, heralding years of mostly-military rule. In 1981 Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings staged his second coup. The country began to move towards economic stability and democracy. In April 1992 a constitution allowing for a multi-party system was approved in a referendum, ushering in a period of democracy. A well-administered country by regional standards, Ghana is often seen as a model for political and economic reform in Africa. Cocoa exports are an essential part of the economy; Ghana is the world's second-largest producer. The discovery of major offshore oil reserves was announced in June 2007, encouraging expectations of a major economic boost. However, oil is not expected to flow for some years. Ghana has a high-profile peacekeeping role; troops have been deployed in Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone and DR Congo. Although Ghana has largely escaped the civil strife that has plagued other West African countries, in 1994-95 land disputes in the north erupted into ethnic violence, resulting in the deaths of 1,000 people and the displacement of a further 150,000.
Facts
- Full name: Republic of Ghana
- Population: 23.9 million (UN, 2008)
- Capital: Accra
- Area: 238,533 sq km (92,098 sq miles)
- Major languages: English, African languages including Akan, Ewe
- Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam
- Life expectancy: 60 years (men), 60 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: Cedi
- Main exports: Gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds
- GNI per capita: US $590 (World Bank, 2007)
- Internet domain: .gh
- International dialling code: +233
Leaders
President: John Atta Mills John Atta Mills was elected in December 2008 with a wafer-thin margin of victory over the candidate of the then governing New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo.
President Mills was elected on a pro-welfare platform
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His predecessor, John Kufuor, had to step down after having served the maximum permitted two four-year terms. It was Mr Mill's third attempt to win the presidency, after defeat in 2000 and 2004 to Mr Kufuor. During the campaign, Mr Mills, the candidate of the National Democratic Congress, described himself as a social democrat inspired by the social welfare ideas of the country's first independence-era president, Kwame Nkrumah. Between 1997 and 2000, he was vice-president to Jerry Rawlings during the former military ruler's term as democratically elected president. Mr Mill's previous suggestion that he would consult with Mr Rawlings if elected drew widespread criticism, and he later moved to distance himself from his former boss. John Atta Mills was born on 21 July 1944 in the western town of Tarkwa. He studied law at the University of Ghana and the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Widely known as "The Prof", he went on to teach law for nearly 25 years at his alma mater, before becoming national tax commissioner and then vice-president under President Rawlings. He is a keen hockey player, at one point even playing for the national team.
Media
Ghana enjoys a high degree of media freedom and the private press and broadcasters operate without significant restrictions. The Commonwealth Press Union has described Ghana's media as "one of the most unfettered" on the continent.
Ghana has a lively press
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The private press is lively, and often carries criticism of government policy. Animated phone-in programmes are staple fare on many radio stations. Radio is Ghana's most popular medium, although it is being challenged by increased access to TV. Scores of private FM stations crowd the dial; many of them are based in the main towns and cities. Most of them are chasing a limited amount of advertising revenue. State-run Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) runs national TV and radio networks. The BBC broadcasts on 101.3 FM in the capital, where there are also relays of Radio France Internationale and the Voice of America. Nearly one third of Ghanaians have access to the internet, and mobile telephones are becoming a significant source of news. The press
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