Independence Year : 1957
Population : 20212000
Life Expectancy : 57.4
Capital : 910
GNP : 7137.00
GNP Old : 6884.00
Local Name : Ghana
Government Form : Republic
Location : Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Terrain : Plains and scrubland, rainforest, savanna.
Climate : Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Ethnic Group : Akan, Ewe, Ga, Moshi-Dagomba
Religions : Christian 69%, Muslim 15%, traditional and indigenous beliefs 9%
Official Website :
www.ghana.gov.gh/
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General Information - Ghana
Background
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. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and a ban on political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President Atta MILLS in a free and fair election, succeeded him.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)
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