Country Highlight: GHANA

Fast Facts:

1. It is located in West Africa and is the 32^nd largest country on the continent.                                                                                                              

2. Its capital and largest city is Accra.

3. It has about 50 indigenous languages. Major languages: English (official), Twi, Ewe, Ga, Dagaare, Dagbani.

4. It has more than 100 ethnic groups and sub-groups. Major ethnic groups: Akans (48%), Mole-Dagbon (17%), Ewe (14%), Ga-Adangbe (7%), Gurma (6%)

5. Major religions: Christianity (69%), Islam (16%), Traditional and other religions (9%), None (6%)

6. On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to become independent of European colonization (United Kingdom). This date is an official public holiday celebrated annually.

7. Ghana’s current flag, with red, gold, green stripes and a center black star, became the new flag at independence. The red represents the blood that was shed towards independence, the gold represents the mineral wealth, the green symbolizes the rich grasslands, and the black star symbolizes the Ghanaian people and African emancipation.

8.  During the transatlantic slave trade, Ghana was the center of trade with the British and it has about 40 coastal fortresses which housed captured African slaves before their transport to the Americas. The most well-known and visited are Elmina and Cape Coast Castles.

9. It is Africa’s biggest gold producer and 2^nd largest cocoa producer.

10. It is known for its beautiful handmade textiles, including Kente, Adinkra, Batik and Ankara cloths.

11. Lake Volta, the world largest manmade lake, covers nearly 4% of Ghana’s total land area.

12. It is ranked as Africa’s 2^nd most peaceful country by the Global Peace Index .

13. It has numerous tourist attractions, including Independence Square and Arch, Nkrumah Memorial Park, the W.E.B. DuBois Center, the National Museum, the National Theater, Makola Market, Aburi Gardens, Manhiya Palace, Kumasi National Cultural Center, Wli Waterfalls, Kakum National Park, Mole National Park, Nzulezo stilt village, kente weaving villages, monkey sanctuaries, and beaches.