Country Information on Ghana 

Terrain

Ghana is a relatively flat country except for two ranges of hills, one on the eastern border and the other in the west. The coast is sandy and merges into the coastal plain. Several rivers, which are generally only navigable by canoe cross the plain. In the west the terrain consists of densely wooded hills and is divided up by a network of rivers.

In the north there is a gently rolling savannah landscape, which is drained by the Black and the White Volta. Both rivers meet and become the Volta, which flows southwards between the two hilly areas towards the sea. The Akosombo Dam in the east of the country forms one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. The country's highest peak is Mount Afadjato (884 m) which is located in the eastern hills.

Climate

Ghana has a tropical climate, but temperatures vary according to altitude and distance from the coast. There are normally two rainy seasons (April to June and September to November); annual precipitation reaches 1,015 mm in the north and 2,030 mm in the south.

From December to March the harmattan, a dry desert wind, blows from the north-east, easing humidity and bringing hot days and cold nights in the north. In the south the influence of the harmattan is noticeable in January. The annual average temperature is 26.1°C. The temperatures are highest in March and lowest in August.

Fauna/Flora

A large part of Ghana's flora has been destroyed through clearing for agricultural purposes. In the tropical rainforests of the south there is still a large number of kapok trees and khayas (African mahogany). The north of the country is covered with grassland and the odd tree. The number of animals in Ghana has decreased, especially in the south.

Nevertheless, a large variety of species have survived, such as leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, forest hogs, antelopes and monkeys. The reptile population includes cobras, pythons and Rhinoceros vipers.

History/Politics

In the 14th century the Akan (or Ashanti) people moved to the area of present-day Ghana and founded several states in the forested central areas. Around the 15th century trade flourished between the Akan and the peoples in the north, on the southern edge of the Sahara. A major threat to trade was posed by a Doma invasion in the 17th century. However, Ashanti people who established a centralist state that flourished on slave trade defeated both the Doma and Denkyiras.

The first Europeans to explore the area were the Portuguese who founded a trading post on the site of present-day Elmina in 1482. In 1642 the Dutch drove out the Portuguese. By the end of the 18th century British settlers controlled the country. British suppression of the slave trade sparked a number of wars with the Ashanti people. Ghana became a British colony in 1874 and a protectorate in 1895. Despite the country's ethnic diversity, a strong sense of national unity developed and people began to call for independence.

The British gradually granted the right to self-administration, with a view to establishing an independent state. The chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP) Kwame Nkrumah became the first prime minister of the British colony in 1952. On 6 March 1957 he became head of state and chairman of the Pan-African Movement after the British parliament had adopted a law on Ghana's independence.

In 1966 Nkrumah was overthrown in a military coup during a state visit to China. A series of civil and military governments followed, which led to a serious economic crisis. Jerry John Rawlings, who became president in 1982, succeeded in stabilising the situation at great cost to society. In January 2001 John Agyekum Kufuor became president of the Republic of Ghana. He was re-elected in December 2004.

Economy

Ghana's economy is based on a small number of products from the mining and the agricultural sectors. Almost 60% of the working population are employed in agriculture. A further 11% work in the processing industries, while 29% work in the services sector. The most important export goods include gold, timber and cocoa. At the beginning of the eighties the country was on the brink of economic ruin, but significant economic reforms have led to continuous economic growth. Ghana is however one of the poorest countries in the world. The unemployment rate was 20% and the inflation rate was 27.7% in 2003.

Culture

Ghana's culture is closely linked to traditional Ashanti symbols. One of the most important symbols is the "Golden Stool" (Stool of Akan) that symbolizes the soul of the Akan people (Ashanti). It is only carried around on special occasions so that it can be shown to the people. Skilfully woven, multicoloured and highly patterned kente cloths are also seen on certain occasions. Each tribe has its own pattern. The pattern of the cloth shows the rank of the person wearing it, their philosophy in life or their state of mind.

Colourful clothes are worn on a daily basis and for festivals, but dark clothes are worn for funerals. Unlike most other West Africans, Ghanaians do not use masks. Fetish dolls made of wood or clay are treated like magical items, and children carry them for protection against illness.