Country Profile: Ghana

Ghana is a multiethnic nation located in West Africa, known for its rich natural resources and robust democratic governance. The country covers an area of approximately 238,533 square kilometers and has a population of over 34 million, predominantly residing in the southern regions along the coastline. Ghana's economy is classified as lower-middle income, relying heavily on exports of gold, cocoa, and oil, while navigating macroeconomic challenges. The nation has played a significant role in regional stability and is actively engaged in international affairs.

Geography

Ghana is situated in Western Africa, bordered by the Gulf of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Togo. The country features mostly low plains with a dissection of plateaus in the south-central area, with a tropical climate that varies between regions. The major waterbody, Lake Volta, is known as the world's largest artificial lake by surface area.

Area: 238,533 sq km
Highest Point: Mount Afadjato at 885 m
Climate: Tropical, with variations from hot and humid in the southwest to hot and dry in the north
Natural Resources: Gold, bauxite, manganese, and petroleum among others
Coastline: 539 km

People and Society

Ghana's population is estimated at 34,589,092 in 2024, with a youthful median age of 21.4 years. The country is home to multiple ethnic groups, with the Akan being the largest. English serves as the official language, while various indigenous languages are also widely spoken. The nation has a predominantly Christian population, with a notable Muslim minority.

Population growth rate: 2.15%
Urban Population: 59.2% as of 2023
Ethnic Composition: Akan 45.7%, Mole-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%
Life Expectancy: 70.1 years
Literacy Rate: 76.5% as of 2021

Economy

Ghana's economy is a lower-middle income one, characterized by significant gold, oil, and cocoa exports. The country has faced macroeconomic concerns, including high inflation and restructuring debt, yet it maintains robust growth rates. Agriculture plays a critical role, alongside industry and services.

GDP (PPP): $243.124 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 5.7% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1% (2024 est.)
Exports: $25.365 billion (2023 est.)
Imports: $26.024 billion (2023 est.)

Government

Ghana operates as a presidential republic with a history of political stability since gaining independence from the UK in 1957. The government is structured with an executive, legislative, and judicial branch, with universal suffrage granted to citizens aged 18 and over. The political landscape is characterized by competitive multi-party elections.

Capital: Accra
Government Type: Presidential republic
Most Recent Election: December 7, 2024
Constitution: Adopted in 1992
Regions: 16 administrative regions

Military and Security

The Ghana Armed Forces consist of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, with a commitment to national defense and peacekeeping operations. The military is characterized by a blend of older and modern equipment, with an increasing focus on enhancing capabilities to counter security threats.

Military Expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Personnel: Estimated 15-20,000 (2025)
Peacekeeping Missions: Significant contributor to UN missions
Service Age: 18-27 years for voluntary enlistment
Military Deployments: Troops stationed in Lebanon and South Sudan

Energy

Ghana is working towards improving its energy access, with a significant portion of the population having access to electricity. The energy mix includes contributions from fossil fuels, hydroelectricity, and a small share from renewables.

Electricity Access: 85.1% of total population (2022 est.)
Electricity Generation Capacity: 5.519 million kW (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 10.493 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Total 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 and water pollution. However, it participates in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues, such as the Climate Change and Biodiversity accords.

Urbanization Rate: 3.06% annual (2020-25 est.)
Forested Area: 35.2% of land use (2022 est.)
Water Pollution: A significant environmental concern
Drought Risk: Especially in the northern regions
Climate Agreements: Signatory to several international environmental pacts

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Ghana includes railways, multiple airports, and a growing network of roads. The country has established several ports to facilitate maritime trade.

Airports: 11 (2025)
Railways: 947 km (2022)
Ports: 4 major ports (2024)
Merchant Marine: 52 vessels (2023)
Heliports: 7 (2025)

Communications

Ghana has a growing telecommunications sector, with mobile cellular subscriptions significantly outnumbering fixed lines. The internet penetration rate is robust, allowing a majority of the population to access online services.

Internet Users: 70% of population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 33.4 million (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 320,000 (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 223,000 (2023 est.)
Telecommunications Code: .gh

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,589,092 (2024 est.)
Area	238,533 sq km
Real GDP (PPP)	$243.124 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	70.1 years	(2024 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate	5.4%	(2024 est.)
Electric Access	85.1%	(2022 est.)
Inflation Rate	22.8%	(2024 est.)
Urban Population	59.2%	(2023 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	3.56 children/woman	(2024 est.)