Country Profile: Ghana

Ghana is a multiethnic nation in West Africa, boasting a rich history and abundant natural resources. With a population of approximately 35.3 million people, the country has developed a stable democracy, being the first Sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence in 1957. Ghana's economy is primarily driven by the export of gold, cocoa, and oil, despite facing some macroeconomic challenges in recent years. The government functions as a presidential republic with a varied legal system that blends English common law and customary laws.

Geography

Ghana is located in Western Africa, bordered by the Gulf of Guinea to the south, Côte d'Ivoire to the west, and Togo to the east. It has a total area of 238,533 square kilometers, featuring mostly low plains and a variety of climates from tropical to arid. The highest point is Mount Afadjato, standing at 885 meters. The country is rich in natural resources, including gold, timber, and bauxite.

238,533 sq km - Total area.
55.4% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
539 km - Length of coastline.
12 nm - Territorial sea claim.
30.7% - Forest cover (2023).
1,600 km - Length of the Volta River.

People and Society

Ghana's estimated population is 35,336,133 (2025), with a diversity of ethnic groups including Akan, Mole-Dagbani, and Ewe. The nation recognizes English as its official language, while Christianity is the predominant religion. The median age in the country is 21.6 years, reflecting a young demographic that is rapidly urbanizing, with 59.2% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

37.4% - Population aged 0-14 years (2025 est.).
70.1 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
27.09 births/1,000 population - Birth rate (2025).
76.5% - Literacy rate (2021).
2.12% - Population growth rate (2025 est.).
53.4% - Percentage of currently married women aged 15-49 years (2022 est.).

Economy

Ghana’s economy is classified as lower-middle income, primarily driven by mining, agriculture, and services. The country has experienced economic challenges but has made strides in fiscal reforms under an IMF program. The GDP (purchasing power parity) was approximately $243.124 billion in 2024, with a real GDP growth of 5.7% projected for the same year.

$82.825 billion - GDP (official exchange rate) (2024 est.).
3.1% - Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
20.7% - Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2024 est.).
35.3% - Exports as a share of GDP (2024 est.).
23.4% - Population below the poverty line (2016 est.).

Government

Ghana operates as a presidential republic, with Accra as its capital. The current president, John Dramani Mahama, took office on January 7, 2025. The government implements a mixed system of English common law and customary law, with a unicameral Parliament comprising 276 members. Universal suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and above.

16 - Number of administrative regions.
4 years - Term duration for the president.
14.5% - Percentage of women in Parliament (2024).
2 major political parties - National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
$11.684 billion - Estimated government revenues (2022).

Military and Security

The Ghana Armed Forces comprise the Army, Air Force, and Navy, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 active personnel. Military spending is modest, at 0.4% of GDP. The country actively participates in international peacekeeping operations, with deployments in Lebanon, South Sudan, and Sudan.

875 - Troops deployed in Lebanon (2025).
0.4% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024).
GAF - Focus includes internal security and border defense.

Energy

Ghana's energy landscape includes significant contributions from fossil fuels and hydroelectricity, with an installed generating capacity of 5.519 million kW in 2023. The country aims to improve its energy access, with 85.1% of the population having access to electricity.

61.5% - Share of fossil fuels in electricity generation (2023).
3.116 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023).
176,000 bbl/day - Petroleum production (2023).

Environment

Ghana faces various environmental challenges, including drought, deforestation, and water pollution. The country is party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at protecting biodiversity and addressing climate change.

59.2% - Urban population percentage (2023).
30.7% - Forest area (2023).
20.822 million metric tonnes - Carbon dioxide emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Ghana has a developing transportation infrastructure, with 11 airports and 947 km of railways. The country's ports play a crucial role in trade, with several key ports including Tema and Takoradi.

52 - Total merchant vessels (2023).
4 - Number of major ports (2024).
269,000 - Fixed telephone subscriptions (2024 est.).

Communications

Ghana's communication network has grown significantly, with high mobile telephone subscription rates. The country has approximately 39.1 million mobile cellular subscriptions, equating to 114 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

70% - Internet penetration rate (2023).
223,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	35,336,133	Estimated for 2025
Area	238,533 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$243.124 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	70.1 years	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	27.09 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Literacy Rate	76.5%	Estimated for 2021
Military Expenditures	0.4% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	10.493 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	59.2%	Percentage of total population (2023)