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Republic of Ghana

History

Government Observers

Country Facts

Ghana was a significant site in the extensive Afro-European trade network, which spanned the West African coast and dates back to the late fifteenth century arrival of the Portuguese along the shores of what was later to be called "The Gold Coast." Other European seafaring empires soon joined the Portuguese in their quest for gold. The trade in gold, however, quickly gave way to the more lucrative slave trade. Two centuries after the slave trade reached its tragic peak Ghana became the first Black African nation to gain its independence in 1957 under the leadership of the Honorable Kwame Nkrumah.

Ghana's post-independence political history was characterized, starting with the overthrow of Nkrumah, by successive military coups. This trend culminated in the banning of political parties and the suspension of the constitution in 1981, under the leadership of Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings. In 1992, Rawlings restored multiparty politics and empowered a new constitution. He was also successively elected to the presidency in 1992 and 1996. His peaceful transition of the presidency to Ghana's current leader, President John Kufuor, in 2000, has been hailed as a sign that democracy has permanently taken root in this key West African nation. Ghana currently enjoys double the per capita output of poorer countries in the region, but the income of its citizens is still among the lowest in the world.

In addition to gold, Ghana's other valuable natural resources include manganese, bauxite and diamonds. Prior to the introduction of more scientific methods of mining after World War I, diamond production was limited to alluvial mining. Ghana's first industrial mines were located in the Eastern Region. After independence, Ghana established a board, similar to the Cocoa Marketing Board, which controls the purchase and export of diamonds.

President: His Excellency John Evans ATTA-MILLS

Minister of Lands & Natural Resources: Alhaji Collins DAUDA

The Minerals Commission

Plot No. 9

Switch Back Road Residential Area - Cantonments

Accra, Ghana

Telephone: +233 21 772783

Fax: +233 21 773324

Population: 24,339,838

Capital: Accra

Major languages: English, Twi, Ewe, Fante, Ga and Hausa

Major religions: Islam, Christianity, Indigenous Belief Systems

Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 59 years (women)

Monetary unit: 1 Cedi = 100 pesewas

Main exports: Gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds

Average annual income: US $350

Internet domain: .gh

International dialing code: +233

Chairman's Statement:

Gem-quality diamonds are relatively small (under 1 ct.) and represent less than 25% of the diamond production mined in Ghana.