2012 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2012 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over as head of state in early 2009.
Geography
Area
- 238,533 sq km 227,533 sq km 11,000 sq km
- total
- 238,533 sq km
- water
- 11,000 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Oregon
Climate
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Coastline
539 km
Elevation extremes
- Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Afadjato 885 m
- highest point
- Mount Afadjato 885 m
- lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Marine Life Conservation
- party to
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified
- Marine Life Conservation
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%) 44 cu m/yr (2000)
- per capita
- 44 cu m/yr (2000)
- total
- 0.98 cu km/yr (24%/10%/66%)
Geographic coordinates
8 00 N, 2 00 W
Geography - note
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi)
Irrigated land
340 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries
- 2,094 km Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
- border countries
- Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
- total
- 2,094 km
Land use
- 17.54% 9.22% 73.24% (2005)
- arable land
- 17.54%
- other
- 73.24% (2005)
- permanent crops
- 9.22%
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
- 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm
- contiguous zone
- 24 nm
- continental shelf
- 200 nm
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural hazards
dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds from January to March; droughts
Natural resources
gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Terrain
mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Total renewable water resources
53.2 cu km (2001)
People and Society
Age structure
- 38.9% (male 4,815,972/ female 4,773,335) 57.1% (male 6,889,967/ female 7,179,274) 4% (male 463,962/ female 529,892) (2012 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 38.9% (male 4,815,972/ female 4,773,335)
- 15-64 years
- 57.1% (male 6,889,967/ female 7,179,274)
- 65 years and over
- 4% (male 463,962/ female 529,892) (2012 est.)
Birth rate
32 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
14.3% (2008)
Death rate
7.7 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
Education expenditures
5.4% of GDP (2005)
Ethnic groups
Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census)
Health expenditures
10.6% of GDP (2009)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
1.8% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
18,000 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
260,000 (2009 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.93 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Infant mortality rate
- 40.9 deaths/1,000 live births 45.1 deaths/1,000 live births 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- female
- 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- total
- 40.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other (includes English (official)) 36.1% (2000 census)
Life expectancy at birth
- 61.45 years 60.22 years 62.73 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 62.73 years (2012 est.)
- total population
- 61.45 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 67.3% 73.2% 61.2% (2010 census)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 61.2% (2010 census)
- male
- 73.2%
- total population
- 67.3%
Major cities - population
ACCRA (capital) 2.269 million; Kumasi 1.773 million (2009)
Major infectious diseases
- very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
- animal contact disease
- rabies
- degree of risk
- very high
- food or waterborne diseases
- bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- respiratory disease
- meningococcal meningitis
- vectorborne diseases
- malaria
- water contact disease
- schistosomiasis
Maternal mortality rate
350 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Median age
- 21.7 years 21.4 years 21.9 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 21.9 years (2012 est.)
- male
- 21.4 years
- total
- 21.7 years
Nationality
- Ghanaian(s) Ghanaian
- adjective
- Ghanaian
- noun
- Ghanaian(s)
Net migration rate
-0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Physicians density
0.085 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Population
24,652,402 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Population growth rate
2.2% (2012 est.)
Religions
Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 18% of population rural: 7% of population total: 13% of population urban: 82% of population rural: 93% of population total: 87% of population
- rural
- 93% of population
- total
- 87% of population
- urban
- 82% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 10 years 11 years 10 years (2009)
- female
- 10 years (2009)
- male
- 11 years
- total
- 10 years
Sex ratio
- 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- 15-64 years
- 1 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.82 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- total population
- 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- under 15 years
- 1.02 male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
4.15 children born/woman (2012 est.)
Urbanization
- 51% of total population (2010) 3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 51% of total population (2010)
Government
Administrative divisions
10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western
Capital
- Accra 5 33 N, 0 13 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- geographic coordinates
- 5 33 N, 0 13 W
- name
- Accra
- time difference
- UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
approved 28 April 1992
Country name
- Republic of Ghana Ghana Gold Coast
- conventional long form
- Republic of Ghana
- conventional short form
- Ghana
- former
- Gold Coast
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Gene CRETZ 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra P. O. Box 194, Accra [233] (21) 741-000 [233] (21) 741-389
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Gene CRETZ
- embassy
- 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra
- FAX
- [233] (21) 741-389
- mailing address
- P. O. Box 194, Accra
- telephone
- [233] (21) 741-000
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 686-4520 [1] (202) 686-4527 New York
- chancery
- 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM
- consulate(s) general
- New York
- FAX
- [1] (202) 686-4527
- telephone
- [1] (202) 686-4520
Executive branch
- President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both the chief of state and head of government President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016) John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA 50.7%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 47.7%, other 1.6%
- cabinet
- Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament
- chief of state
- President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election; the president is both the chief of state and head of government
- election results
- John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA 50.7%, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 47.7%, other 1.6%
- elections
- president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016)
- head of government
- President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 24 July 2012); Vice President Kwesi Bekoe AMISSAH-ARTHUR (since 6 August 2012); note - President MAHAMA assumed office due to the death of former president John Atta MILLS and subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents the country's mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Government type
constitutional democracy
Independence
6 March 1957 (from the UK)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; High Court; Court of Appeal; regional tribunals
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Legislative branch
- unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote in single-seat constituencies to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 and 8 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016) percent of vote by party - NPP 47.5%, NDC 46.4%, PNC 0.6%, independent 2.5%, other 3.0%; seats by party - NDC 151, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3
- election results
- percent of vote by party - NPP 47.5%, NDC 46.4%, PNC 0.6%, independent 2.5%, other 3.0%; seats by party - NDC 151, NPP 120, PNC 1, independent 3
- elections
- last held on 7 and 8 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2016)
National anthem
- "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" unknown/Philip GBEHO music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, once when a republic was declared in 1960 and again after a 1966 coup
- lyrics/music
- unknown/Philip GBEHO
- name
- "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
National symbol(s)
black star; golden eagle
Political parties and leaders
Convention People's Party or CPP [Samia NKRUMAH]; Democratic Freedom Party or DFP [Obed Yao ASAMOAH]; Democratic People’s Party or DPP [T.N. WARD BREW]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Henry GIDI]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [vacant]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Nii Armah JOSIAH-AYEH]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Jake OBETSEBI-LAMPEY]; People's National Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; National Reform Party [Peter KPORDUGBE]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Kofi WAYO]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA (education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen (water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber
Budget
- $8.375 billion $10.74 billion (2012 est.)
- expenditures
- $10.74 billion (2012 est.)
- revenues
- $8.375 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-5.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate
18% (31 December 2009) 17% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
25.1% (31 December 2012 est.) 18.2% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
-$4.559 billion (2012 est.) -$3.675 billion (2011 est.)
Debt - external
$11.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $9.712 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
39.4 (2005-06) 40.7 (1999)
Economy - overview
Ghana's economy has been strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels. Ghana is well endowed with natural resources and agriculture accounts for roughly one-quarter of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. The services sector accounts for 50% of GDP. Gold and cocoa production and individual remittances are major sources of foreign exchange. Oil production at Ghana's offshore Jubilee field began in mid-December, 2010, and is expected to boost economic growth. President MILLS faces challenges in managing new oil revenue while maintaining fiscal discipline and resisting debt accumulation. Estimated oil reserves have jumped to almost 700 million barrels. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in 2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative that took effect in 2006. In 2009 Ghana signed a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF to improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competitiveness, human resource development, and good governance and civic responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with higher prices for oil, gold and, cocoa helped sustain high GDP growth in 2008-12.
Exchange rates
cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.815 (2012 est.) 1.512 (2011 est.) 1.431 (2010 est.) 1.409 (2009) 1.1 (2008)
Exports
$13.58 billion (2012 est.) $12.79 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticultural products
Exports - partners
France 19.1%, Netherlands 10.2%, US 8.6%, Italy 8.1%, UK 4.7%, India 4.2% (2011)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition by sector
- 24.6% 27.4% 47.9% (2012 est.)
- agriculture
- 24.6%
- industry
- 27.4%
- services
- 47.9% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$3,300 (2012 est.) $3,200 (2011 est.) $2,800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
8.2% (2012 est.) 14.4% (2011 est.) 8% (2010 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$40.12 billion (2012 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$83.18 billion (2012 est.) $76.89 billion (2011 est.) $67.22 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 2% 32.8% (2006)
- highest 10%
- 32.8% (2006)
- lowest 10%
- 2%
Imports
$17.52 billion (2012 est.) $15.97 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Imports - partners
China 20.4%, Nigeria 12.4%, US 7.8%, India 5.6%, Netherlands 5.1%, UK 4.2% (2011)
Industrial production growth rate
5% (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
9.1% (2012 est.) 8.7% (2011 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
25.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
Labor force
11.67 million (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 56% 15% 29% (2005 est.)
- agriculture
- 56%
- industry
- 15%
- services
- 29% (2005 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$3.097 billion (31 December 2011) $3.531 billion (31 December 2010) $2.508 billion (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line
28.5% (2007 est.)
Public debt
47.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 38.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$5.888 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.805 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
$11.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.79 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$NA
Stock of domestic credit
$10.18 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$6.042 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.925 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
20.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
11% (2000 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
10.58 million Mt (2010 est.)
Crude oil - exports
14,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - imports
43,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - production
72,580 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
660 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
Electricity - consumption
6.122 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - exports
752 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
40.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
59.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports
198 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
1.985 million kW (2009 est.)
Electricity - production
8.764 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
120 million cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - imports
120 million cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
61,590 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
7,275 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
24,390 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
27,260 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately-owned TV stations and a large number of privately-owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable (2007)
Internet country code
.gh
Internet hosts
59,086 (2012)
Internet users
1.297 million (2009)
Telephone system
- primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed; outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 80 per 100 persons and rising country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, Main One, and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South Africa, Europe, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2009)
- domestic
- competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 80 per 100 persons and rising
- general assessment
- primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed; outdated and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra
- international
- country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, Main One, and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South Africa, Europe, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2009)
Telephones - main lines in use
284,700 (2011)
Telephones - mobile cellular
21.166 million (2011)
Transportation
Airports
10 (2012)
Airports - with paved runways
- 2 (2012)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 3
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 1
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 2 (2012)
- over 3,047 m
- 1
- total
- 7
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 3 (2012)
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 3 (2012)
- total
- 3
Merchant marine
- petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)
- foreign-owned
- 2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)
- total
- 4
Pipelines
gas 1 km; oil 5 km; refined products 312 km (2010)
Ports and terminals
Takoradi, Tema
Railways
- 947 km 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
- total
- 947 km
Roadways
- 62,221 km 9,955 km 52,266 km (2006)
- total
- 62,221 km
- unpaved
- 52,266 km (2006)
Waterways
1,293 km (168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta) (2011)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
- 6,268,191 6,194,339 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 6,194,339 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 6,268,191
Manpower fit for military service
- 4,136,406 4,220,761 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 4,220,761 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 4,136,406
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
- 267,896 260,992 (2010 est.)
- female
- 260,992 (2010 est.)
- male
- 267,896
Military branches
Ghana Army, Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force (2012)
Military expenditures
1.7% of GDP (2009)
Military service age and obligation
18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate; no conscription; must be HIV/AIDS negative (2012)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
disputed maritime border between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire
Illicit drugs
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- 11,585 (Liberia); 16,000 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2011)
- refugees (country of origin)
- 11,585 (Liberia); 16,000 (Cote d'Ivoire; flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2011)