Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over as head of state in early 2009, but he died in July 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won a December 2012 special presidential election.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 238,533 sq km
country comparison to the world: 82
land: 227,533 sq km
water: 11,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,094 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
539 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Afadjato 885 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 20.12%
permanent crops: 11.74%
other: 68.14% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
309 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.2 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%)
per capita: 48.82 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds from January to March; droughts
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Akan 47.5%, Mole-Dagbon 16.6%, Ewe 13.9%, Ga-Dangme 7.4%, Gurma 5.7%, Guan 3.7%, Grusi 2.5%, Mande-Busanga 1.1%, other 1.6% (2010 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other (includes English (official)) 36.1% (2000 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 71.2% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 28.3%, Protestant 18.4%, Catholic 13.1%, other 11.4%), Muslim 17.6%, traditional 5.2%, other 0.8%, none 5.2% (2010 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25,199,609 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 38.7% (male 4,902,094/female 4,858,630)
15-24 years: 18.8% (male 2,360,293/female 2,382,573)
25-54 years: 33.7% (male 4,120,921/female 4,363,889)
55-64 years: 4.7% (male 577,431/female 610,716)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 476,297/female 546,765) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 72.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 66.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6 %
potential support ratio: 16.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 20.7 years
male: 20.3 years
female: 21.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.19% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.7 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 51.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACCRA (capital) 2.269 million; Kumasi 1.773 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.8
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
350 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 31
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39.7 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 59
male: 43.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 35.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 65.32 years
country comparison to the world: 172
male: 62.99 years
female: 67.71 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.12 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.5% (2008)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 147
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
260,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 140
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 54
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 12
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 71.5%
male: 78.3%
female: 65.3% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2012)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 1,806,750
percentage: 34 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16.6%
country comparison to the world: 78
male: 16.4%
female: 16.7% (2000)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Accra
geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 March 1957 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993; amended 1996 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed system of English common law and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016)
election results: John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA 50.7%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 47.7%, other 1.6%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote in single-seat constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 and 8 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - NPP 47.5%, NDC 46.4%, PNC 0.6%, independent 2.5%, other 3.0%; seats by party - NDC 151, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 12 justices)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president in consultation with the Council of State (a small advisory body of prominent citizens) and with the approval of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Council (an 18-member independent body of judicial, military and police officials, and presidential nominees) and on the advice of the Council of State; justices can retire at age 60, with compulsory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Convention People's Party or CPP [Samia NKRUMAH]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian Aid (water rights)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM (since 7 December 2009)
chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520
FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ (since 11 September 2012)
embassy: 24 Fourth Circular Rd., Cantonments, Accra
mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra
telephone: [233] 30-2741-000
FAX: [233] 30-2741-389
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents the country's mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
black star; golden eagle
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"
lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO
note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, once when a republic was declared in 1960 and again after a 1966 coup
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ghana's economy has been strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels. Ghana is well-endowed with natural resources and agriculture accounts for roughly one-quarter of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. The services sector accounts for 50% of GDP. Gold and cocoa production and individual remittances are major sources of foreign exchange. Oil production at Ghana's offshore Jubilee field began in mid-December, 2010, and is expected to boost economic growth. President MAHAMA faces challenges in managing new oil revenue while maintaining fiscal discipline and resisting debt accumulation. Estimated oil reserves have jumped to almost 700 million barrels. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. In 2009, Ghana signed a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF to improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competitiveness, human resource development, and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with higher prices for oil, gold and, cocoa helped sustain high GDP growth in 2008-12, despite the general slowdown in the global economy during that same time period.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$82.65 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$39.89 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 60.9%
government consumption: 13.6%
investment in fixed capital: 29%
investment in inventories: 6.9%
exports of goods and services: 45.9%
imports of goods and services: -56.2%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 22.7%
industry: 27.3%
services: 50% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.79 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 56%
industry: 15%
services: 29% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.5% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.4 (2005-06)
country comparison to the world: 65
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $9.282 billion
expenditures: $14.13 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-12.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.8% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.153 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.097 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 91
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-4.778 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13.54 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticultural products
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 13.6%, Italy 12.4%, Netherlands 8.9%, China 7.4%, Germany 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.76 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 25.6%, Nigeria 11%, US 7%, Netherlands 6.2%, Singapore 4.5%, UK 4.1%, India 4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.705 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.64 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cedis (GHC) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.213 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.311 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.036 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
106 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.985 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
59.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79,630 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32,060 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
660 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 45
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22,130 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61,590 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,977 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,240 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
120 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
830 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 75
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.005 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
285,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 120
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.618 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 42
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed; outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra
domestic: competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 80 per 100 persons and rising
international: country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, Main One, and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South Africa, Europe, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2009)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately owned TV stations and a large number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.gh
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
59,086 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 93
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.297 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 93
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 156
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 394 km; oil 20 km; refined products 361 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 947 km
country comparison to the world: 91
narrow gauge: 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 109,515 km
country comparison to the world: 43
paved: 13,787 km
unpaved: 95,728 km (2009)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,293 km (168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 57
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 131
by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3
foreign-owned: 2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Takoradi, Tema
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ghana Army, Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate; no conscription; must be HIV/AIDS negative (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 6,268,191
females age 16-49: 6,194,339 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 4,136,406
females age 16-49: 4,220,761 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 267,896
female: 260,992 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.27% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 390
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
disputed maritime border between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 5,156 (Liberia) (2012); 8,532 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2013)