Statistics & Trivia about Ghana
Basic Statistics
Here are some basic facts about Ghana.
Ghana Population
- Approximately 30.1 million people as of 2019, with nearly 25% of the population estimated to be in the in the five largest urban areas.
- Language: English is the official language. There are over 40 different indigenous languages, Twi (pronounced Ch-wee) being the most common. See our language videos for more information.
- In 2019, the median age of the Ghanaian population was 20.9 years.
Geography of Ghana
- Size: 92,000 square miles. About the size of the United Kingdom, or the US state of Oregon.
- Tropical rainforest covers the south west.
- Forests and highlands in the east and mid-section.
- Savannah and Sahelian conditions north of Volta Lake.
- Ghana sits at 0 GMT. Prince's Town is the closest land on earth to 0 longitude and 0 latitude.
- Created by the Akosombo Dam, Volta Lake is the largest man-made lake in the world by surface area, covering 8,600 square miles.
- Lake Bosumtwi, near Kumasi, is the world's largest lake created by a meteorite impact.
Ghana Economy
- Ghana's GDP in 2018 was $65.56 billion US, according to the World Bank.
- Agriculture accounts for 17% of GDP and employs 29% of the workforce.
- The services sector accounts for 44% of GDP and employs 49% of the workforce.
- Ghana is the world's second largest producer of cocoa. The chocolate you love probably came from Ghana!
- Mining is the largest earner of foreign capital.
- Gold and bauxite are significantly mined. Ghana is the 7th largest gold producer in the world (behind Peru, South Africa, Russia, USA, Australia and China).
- Oil in significant quantities was discovered offshore in 2007. This now accounts for over 20% of export revenue.
- 60% of exports from Ghana go to India, China, Switzerland and South Africa.
- China is our biggest import partner, with over 29% of imports coming from China. India, the USA and the Netherlands are the second most important partners, each accounting for about 5% of imports.
Ghana Politics
- President: Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo
- Executive President and 275 member unicameral legislature.
- Elections every 4 years. Next in December 2020.
- President may stand for a maximum of 2 terms.
- There are 16 Administrative Regions.
- In Ghana there is a system of tribal government in addition to the national government.
- The current constitution of ghana came to being on 28 April 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support.
Ghana Trivia
- Ghana contributes the 2nd highest number of female peace keepers to the United Nations, behind Ethiopia.
- The oldest European structure in Africa is the Elmina castle, with original construction starting in 1482.
- Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence post-colonialism. It gained its independence on March 6, 1957.