Country Profile: Ghana

Ghana, a multiethnic country situated in West Africa, is characterized by its rich natural resources and stable democratic governance. With a growing population concentrated mainly in the southern regions, the nation has transformed its economy into one of the lower-middle income economies of the region, primarily exporting gold, oil, and cocoa. The country's governance has evolved through various leaderships, solidifying its reputation as a beacon of stability in the area. Ghana's active participation in international affairs underscores its commitment to promoting regional stability.

Geography

Ghana is located in Western Africa, bordered by the Gulf of Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo. The nation's landscape is predominantly low plains interspersed with a dissected plateau in the south-central region. Ghana experiences a tropical climate with variations ranging from warm and dry along the southeast coast to hot and humid in the southwest and dry in the north.

Total Area: 238,533 sq km
Constitutional Coastline: 539 km
Major rivers: Volta River (1,600 km long)
Natural Resources: Includes gold, diamonds, bauxite, and petroleum.
Climate Hazards: Experiences dry Northeastern harmattan winds and droughts.

People and Society

Ghana's population is estimated at 35,336,133 in 2025, with a diverse mix of ethnic groups, primarily Akan, Mole-Dagbani, and Ewe. The official language is English, but several indigenous languages are spoken. The country is predominantly Christian, with a significant Muslim minority. Urbanization is on the rise, with 59.2% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

Median Age: 21.6 years (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 76.5% (2021 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 2.12% (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 70.1 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 27.09 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 30.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Economy

Ghana's economy is classified as lower-middle income, heavily reliant on the exports of gold, oil, and cocoa. After decades of growth, the nation faces macroeconomic challenges but is undertaking reforms to stabilize its fiscal situation under an IMF program. The agriculture sector plays a vital role, complemented by industrial and service sectors.

GDP (PPP): $230.046 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Growth Rate: 3.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1% (2023 est.)
Public Debt: 73.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Poverty Rate: 23.4% below the poverty line (2016 est.)

Government

Ghana operates as a presidential republic with a mixed legal system of English common law and customary law. The country, which gained independence in 1957, is administratively divided into 16 regions, with Accra serving as the capital. The governance structure includes an executive branch headed by a president, a unicameral Parliament, and a judicial branch led by the Supreme Court.

Current President: John Dramani Mahama (since January 2025)
Voting Age: 18 years (universal suffrage)
Number of Parliamentary Seats: 276
Next Election: December 2028

Military and Security

The Ghana Armed Forces include the Army, Air Force, and Navy, focused on national defense, internal security, and peacekeeping. The military is actively involved in various international peacekeeping missions and has been increasing its capabilities in response to regional security threats.

Military Expenditure: 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Personnel: 15-20,000 (2025 est.)
Military Deployments: Over 2,000 personnel in various peacekeeping missions.
Voluntary Service Age: 18-27 years

Energy

Ghana's energy sector is diversifying, with a significant reliance on fossil fuels and hydroelectric power. While electricity access has improved, disparities remain between urban and rural areas. The government is working to enhance its energy capacity through various initiatives.

Electricity Access: 85.1% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 5.519 million kW (2023 est.)
Petroleum Production: 176,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 3.116 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Environment

Ghana faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, drought, and water pollution. The government is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues and promoting sustainable practices.

Urban Population: 59.2% (2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 20.822 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal Solid Waste Generated: 3.538 million tons (2024 est.)
Recycling Rate: 13.3% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)

Transportation

Ghana's transportation infrastructure includes a network of roads, railways, and ports that facilitate movement within the country and trade with neighboring regions. The country has several airports and a merchant marine fleet.

Total Railways: 947 km (2022)
Airports: 11 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 52 vessels (2023)

Communications

Ghana has made significant strides in telecommunications, with a high rate of mobile cellular subscriptions and increasing internet access. This growth supports further development across various sectors.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 39.1 million (2024 est.)
Internet Users: 70% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Telephones: 269,000 (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	35,336,133 (2025 est.)	Estimated total population
Area	238,533 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$230.046 billion (2023 est.)	Gross Domestic Product (PPP)
Unemployment Rate	3.1% (2023 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	70.1 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy at birth
Birth Rate	27.09 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Annual birth rate
Electricity Access	85.1% (2022 est.)	Percentage of the population with electricity
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions	39.1 million (2024 est.)	Total subscriptions for mobile cellular phones
Urban Population	59.2% (2023)	Percentage of the total population living in urban areas
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	20.822 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)	Total CO2 emissions