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Ghana: Quick Facts

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News •

Teen arrested in killing of Ghanaian student, 15, on his way to school in New York City • Nov. 11, 2026, 8:38 PM ET (AP)
Mamdani says Trump agrees to grant visa to mother of Ghanian teen killed in Bronx shooting • Oct. 31, 2026, 6:03 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Head Of State And Government President: John Mahama
Capital Accra
Population (2026 est.) 34,215,000
Form Of Government unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (Parliament [276])
Official Language English
Official Religion none
Official Name Republic of Ghana
Total Area (Sq Km) 238,533
Total Area (Sq Mi) 92,098
Monetary Unit Ghana cedi (GH¢)1
Population Rank (2026) 50
Population Projection 2030 35,434,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 371.5
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 143.4
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2021) 56.7% • Rural: (2021) 43.3%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2021) 63.7 years • Female: (2021) 68.6 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 79,546
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 2,310
1The Ghana cedi (GH¢) replaced the cedi (₡) on July 1, 2007, at a rate of 1 GH¢ = ₡10,000.

Did You Know?

  • 69% of Ghana's land is used for agricultural purposes.
  • Each citizen of Ghana owns an average of 1.39 mobile phones, more than the average American citizen.

Photos and Videos

Ghana
Map of Ghana showing international boundaries, major cities, rivers, and neighboring countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, and a small section of Benin and Nigeria. The map includes a locator inset highlighting Ghana's position on the west coast of Africa along the Atlantic Ocean.
Whitewashed Cape Coast Castle with rows of black cannons facing the Atlantic Ocean, under a partly cloudy sky in Ghana, West Africa.
Map of West Africa highlighting Ghana in tan, with surrounding countries labeled, including Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Nigeria. The capital city Accra is marked along Ghana's southern coast by the Gulf of Guinea.
Map of Ghana highlighting major physical features, including Lake Volta, the Kwahu Plateau, the Akwapim-Togo Ranges, and national parks such as Mole, Bui, Digya, and Kakum. Surrounding countries-Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, and Togo-are labeled, and a small locator map shows Ghana's position in West Africa.
Aerial view of the Akosombo Dam spanning the Volta River in Ghana, with water flowing from the dam and green hills surrounding the reservoir.
Akwapim-Togo Ranges
A person paddles a wooden canoe on the Volta River in Ghana, with the arched steel suspension bridge at Atimpoku visible in the background.
Crowds of people enjoy the sandy beach and waves at Accra, Ghana, with a small open-air shelter and vendors in the foreground overlooking the Gulf of Guinea.
Dense green trees line the banks of the Volta River near Akosombo, Ghana, with forested hills rising in the background.
See a man playing a 'calabash drum'
National anthem of Ghana
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic
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Al Raby
American civil rights activist
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah
president of Ghana
Mahamudu Bawumia
Mahamudu Bawumia
Ghanaian economist, banker, and politician
Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
vice president of Ghana
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
president of Ghana
John Mahama
John Mahama
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John Evans Atta Mills
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John Kufuor
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Ghana's President Jerry John Rawlings, wearing a white shirt and glasses, speaks at a podium with United Nations insignia.
Jerry J. Rawlings
head of state, Ghana
Danquah, J.B.
J.B. Danquah
Ghanaian politician
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Ignatius Kutu Acheampong
chief of state, Ghana

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