Capital: Accra, (2.269 million); major city Kumasi (1.773) million (2009)
Population: 25,241,998 (July 2012 est.)
People 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)
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)
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) The Pentecostal numbers have increased 800% since 1972 and most people are open to talk of spiritual things.
Living conditions. – health – infant mortality 47.26 deaths/1,000 live births, Life expectancy at birth: 61.45 years, HIV/AIDS 1.8% (2009 est).,Literacy 67.3% . Recent oil discovery will greatly increase the country’s wealth.
Government; constitutional democracy.
Executive: chief of state: President John Dramani MAHAMA note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government.: the cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament
NB. President John Mills died 24th July 2012. President Mahama was vice-president and has constitutionally replaced him.
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote in single-seat constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 7 December 2008 (next to be held on 7 December 2012)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court; Court of Appeal; regional tribunals.
History
Ghana’s history is similar to most West African countries with the early native empires being suppressed and replaced by European colonial powers. Portuguese domination in the 14 and 1500s was weakened by British, French, Dutch and Danish activities. British colonial control was steadily handed over after the Second World War and independence was granted in 1957 after the inclusion of British Togoland. Kwame Nkumah became president and transformed the nation into a one party socialist state until his overthrow in 1976. There followed years of military coup and counter coup with Flt Lt Jerry Rawlins eventually holding power until 2000. Ghana is now regarded as a model of African democracy. New elections are due in November.
Pray for:
- Wisdom and guidance for the new president.
- Open doors for CPM.
- A turning from syncretistic animism and false teaching to the true gospel.