Ghana was the first African colony to win its independence from Britain. It became the model for others to follow. Ghana led the way in establishing industries and a modern educational system. The country has produced distinguished writers, philosophers, and international leaders, including Kofi Annan, a secretary-general of the United Nations. The capital and largest city is Accra. GeographyGhana is located on the west coast of Africa. It is bordered on the west by Côte d'Ivoire, on the northwest and north by Burkina Faso, and on the east by Togo. On the south Ghana is bounded by the Gulf of Guinea, in the Atlantic Ocean. Ghana has an area of 92,098 square miles (238,533 square kilometers). Ghana is primarily a flat, low-lying country. The elevation is not higher than 3,000 feet (900 meters) at any spot. The Volta Basin, a large saucer-shaped area, occupies north-central Ghana. The southwest, northwest, and north contain higher plateaus and some hills and valleys. Low mountain peaks are found in the east. The Accra plains are in the southeast. Ghana has several important rivers. The Black Volta and White Volta flow southward from Burkina Faso. The two rivers feed Lake Volta, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. It was formed behind the Akosombo Dam. At the dam's power plant, waterpower is used to produce electricity for Ghana. Plants and animalsTall grasses and scattered trees cover the northern two thirds of the country. The southeast coastal region has a mixture of grassland and shrubs and low trees. Most of the southern third of the country is forested. Ghana is relatively rich in animals. However, their numbers have been reduced by hunting and the spread of human settlement. The large mammals include lions, leopards, hyenas, antelope, elephants, buffalo, wild hogs, chimpanzees, and many kinds of monkeys. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses live in the rivers. Ghana also has numerous birds, including parrots, hornbills, and kingfishers. Among the snakes are cobras, pythons, puff adders, and horned adders. People and cultureEthnically, the people of Ghana belong to one broad group within the African family. However, there are some 75 different tribes, or subgroups, each with its own language. The largest is the Akan, who make up slightly more than half of the population. Other large tribes are the Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, Ga-Adangme, and Gurma. Nearly two thirds of the people are Christian. About a sixth practice traditional belief systems, and about a seventh are Muslim. English is the official language. Ghana has a rich and varied culture. Ghanaian craftspeople are especially skilled in pottery, wood carving, and gold and silver work. They are also particularly noted for their textiles. The best known are the richly colored, handwoven cloths of the Akan and Ewe peoples. These textiles are called kente cloth. The beautiful designs covering the cloths are highly symbolic. EconomyGhana's economy is based mostly on farming and mining. The bulk of the country's income comes from the sale of cocoa and gold. Timber also is an important export. More than half of the workforce is employed in agriculture. The principal food crops are cassava, yams, corn, millet, sorghum, rice, and bananas and plantains. Ghana also mines diamonds, manganese, and bauxite. HistoryEarly historyLittle is known about the history of Ghana before the 15th century. Most of the present ethnic groups already lived in the area by then. When the Portuguese arrived in 1471, they found gold mining well established. Soon afterward the area became known as the Gold Coast. The Portuguese built a fort on the coast to ward off competing gold traders. Nevertheless, the Dutch, British, Danish, Swedish, and Germans established their own coastal forts. In the 17th century the Europeans and local states traded African slaves as well as gold. The Asante, an Akan people, controlled the territory inland. Most of the European powers outlawed slavery in the early 19th century. Colonial ruleThe British proclaimed the Gold Coast a colony in 1874. By 1902 the British controlled most of what is now Ghana. Beginning in 1949, Kwame Nkrumah led a growing movement for independence. In 1957 Ghana became the first British African colony to become independent. IndependenceAfter Ghana became independent, Nkrumah ruled it as a one-party state. Ghana became a republic in 1960, and Nkrumah was elected president. He began to suppress some of the freedoms of his opponents. In addition, the economy declined. The army and police seized control of Ghana in 1966. Between 1966 and 1992, Ghana alternated between military rule and democratic government. Jerry Rawlings, an air force officer, overthrew the government in 1981. He instituted a number of political and economic reforms. In 1992 the country became a democracy with many political parties. Rawlings won the presidency in 1992 and 1996. John Kufuor, the leader of a different party, became president in 2001. This was the first peaceful transfer of power in the country since 1957. Population (2001 estimate), 19,894,000. |