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CIA World Factbook 2012 Archive (HTML)

Ghana

2012 Edition · 268 data fields

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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)

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