The Republic of Ghana, of which the capital is Accra, became independent on March 6, 1957. The country's main currency is cedi (US$1=7,600 cedi). Its official language is English.
Ghana covers 238,537 sq. km (92,100 sq. mls.) and enjoys a tropical climate with annual mean temperatures between 26 and 36 degrees Celsius. Rainfall varies from over 2,100mm in the southwest to 1,000mm in the north. It is abundant in natural resources such as gold, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, timber and rubber.
The population is 18.8 million and the population growth rate is 2.4 percent, according to the 2000 national census.
The literacy rate is at 64.5 percent. Christians make up 69 percent of the religious population while Muslims make up 15.6 percent, Traditionalists 8.5 percent and others 6 percent. Major ethnic groups and local languages include Akan (49.1 percent), Mole-Dagomba (16.5 percent), Ewe (12.7 percent), and Ga-Dangme (8 percent).
Under the 1992 Constitution, Ghana is a constitutional democracy with a unicameral parliament, an executive and an independent judiciary. John Agyekum Kufuor, sworn in on Jan. 7, 2001, is the head of state and government.
Ghana records a GDP (purchasing power parity) of $37.4 billion. It mainly exports gold, cocoa, cashew nuts, timber, tuna and horticultural products while importing capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs and medicines. The country's main industries are mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum, smelting and food processing. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing more than half the population and accounting for about 36 percent of GDP and export earnings.
Ghana has some key institutions for promoting trade and investments. Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) was incorporated in July 1989 as a private company limited by guarantee under the Ghana Companies Code of 1963. Companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange have their shares traded there. Applications for listing need to be sponsored by a Licensed Dealing Member of GSE.
Export Processing Zones have been established to promote the processing and manufacturing of goods and also encourage the development of commercial and service activities at the seaport and airport areas. As focal points for the production of goods and services, the Free Zones ultimately makes the whole of Ghana accessible to all investors.
Ghana Investment Promotion Center is a government agency directly responsible for encouraging and promoting investments in Ghana. Its functions include coordinating and monitoring all investments; serving as a liaison between investors and ministries, government agencies and departments as well as institutional lenders and related bodies.
Ghana National Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) has been in existence since 1961. Its membership is open to any registered business establishment in Ghana in all sectors of the economy. Among the most important functions of the GNCC are the provision of facilities for basic research into products and markets both at home and abroad; certification of invoices and certificates of origin to facilitate Ghana's export trade; answering trade enquiries regarding sources of supply, lists of potential exporters and importers. It also holds regular consultations with government on legislation affecting business interests such as taxation, employment and investment incentives
The Republic of Ghana, of which the capital is Accra, became independent on March 6, 1957. The country's main currency is cedi (US$1=7,600 cedi). Its official language is English.
Ghana covers 238,537 sq. km (92,100 sq. mls.) and enjoys a tropical climate with annual mean temperatures between 26 and 36 degrees Celsius. Rainfall varies from over 2,100mm in the southwest to 1,000mm in the north. It is abundant in natural resources such as gold, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, timber and rubber.
The population is 18.8 million and the population growth rate is 2.4 percent, according to the 2000 national census.
The literacy rate is at 64.5 percent. Christians make up 69 percent of the religious population while Muslims make up 15.6 percent, Traditionalists 8.5 percent and others 6 percent. Major ethnic groups and local languages include Akan (49.1 percent), Mole-Dagomba (16.5 percent), Ewe (12.7 percent), and Ga-Dangme (8 percent).
Under the 1992 Constitution, Ghana is a constitutional democracy with a unicameral parliament, an executive and an independent judiciary. John Agyekum Kufuor, sworn in on Jan. 7, 2001, is the head of state and government.
Ghana records a GDP (purchasing power parity) of $37.4 billion. It mainly exports gold, cocoa, cashew nuts, timber, tuna and horticultural products while importing capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs and medicines. The country's main industries are mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum, smelting and food processing. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing more than half the population and accounting for about 36 percent of GDP and export earnings.
Ghana has some key institutions for promoting trade and investments. Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) was incorporated in July 1989 as a private company limited by guarantee under the Ghana Companies Code of 1963. Companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange have their shares traded there. Applications for listing need to be sponsored by a Licensed Dealing Member of GSE.
Export Processing Zones have been established to promote the processing and manufacturing of goods and also encourage the development of commercial and service activities at the seaport and airport areas. As focal points for the production of goods and services, the Free Zones ultimately makes the whole of Ghana accessible to all investors.
Ghana Investment Promotion Center is a government agency directly responsible for encouraging and promoting investments in Ghana. Its functions include coordinating and monitoring all investments; serving as a liaison between investors and ministries, government agencies and departments as well as institutional lenders and related bodies.
Ghana National Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) has been in existence since 1961. Its membership is open to any registered business establishment in Ghana in all sectors of the economy. Among the most important functions of the GNCC are the provision of facilities for basic research into products and markets both at home and abroad; certification of invoices and certificates of origin to facilitate Ghana's export trade; answering trade enquiries regarding sources of supply, lists of potential exporters and importers. It also holds regular consultations with government on legislation affecting business interests such as taxation, employment and investment incentives
