Country profiles

• Ghana
• Mali
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe

Ghana

• Full name: Republic of Ghana
• Population: 21.8 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Accra
• Area: 238,533km² (92,098 miles²)
• Major languages: English, African languages including Akan, Ewe
• Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam
• Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 57 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: Cedi
• Main exports: Gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds
• GNI per capita: US$450 (World Bank, 2006)

Ghana was the first black African country to gain independence from colonial rule, and celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence in March 2007.

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. Ghana produces 10% of the world’s gold and ranks second in African production.

It has a high-profile peacekeeping role; troops from Ghana have been deployed in Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone and DR Congo.