Basic Statistics, Ghana Trivia

Basic Statistics

Here are some basic facts about Ghana.

Approximately 33.6 million people as of 2024, with nearly 59% of the population estimated to be living in 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.
Ghana has a very young population, with a median age of around 21 years.

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.

According to the World Bank, Ghana's GDP in 2022 was $73.7 billion US, having risen from $41.3 billion in 2012, a blistering 78% increase in 10 years.
Ghana experiences high inflation, with the rate somewhat stabilized at around 22% since December 2023.
Agriculture accounts for 21% of GDP, employs 40% of the workforce, and provides 90% of Ghana's food needs.
The services sector accounts for 46% of GDP and employs 41% of the workforce.
The remaining 19% of the workforce are in industry, which contributes 32% to GDP.
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.

President: Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo
Executive President and 275 member unicameral legislature.
Elections every 4 years. Upcoming election is in December 2024. The current Vice President is running again the previous President in the current campaign.
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. These parallel system of governance usually work harmoniously together.
The current Constitution of Ghana came to being on 28 April 1992 through a national referendum receiving 92% support.

Ghana contributes the 2nd highest number of female peace keepers to the United Nations, behind Ethiopia.
Larabanga Mosque, which is among the oldest mosques in West Africa, was founded in 1421
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.