Ghana, a West African republic since 1957 is bordered to the north by Burkina Faso, to the east by Togo, the west by The Ivory Coast and the south by the Atlantic Ocean. A large country of some 240,000 square kilometres and home to around 20 million people, where English is the official language but many people still speak a local language such as Twi, Ga and Ewe. Originally descended from the Akan and Ewe people, most of the population are of Christian or Muslim religion. Ghana is a major exporter of timber and cocoa particularly to France, Japan and the USA.In 1957, Ghana became the first country in Africa to acquire its independence, a country that was originally formed by uniting the Togoland trust territory with the British colony of the Gold Coast. Long-term rebellions were encountered after Ghana’s independence, causing in 1981, a prohibition of political gatherings and the charter to be put on hold. Thankfully though, in 1992, a new constitution was put into place, bringing multiparty politics back. The head of state at this time was at the end of his second term in office and was prevented from running for a third term in 2000, with John Kufuor, taking his place by way of a free and impartial election.
The country is full of wonderful things to do and see with many white, sandy beaches and blue lagoons, to while away the day at, where joggers will be seen either early in the morning or at dusk, avoiding the hotter temperatures of the sun. Those looking to do more than sunbathe can go water-skiing or sailing on Lake Volta, which stretches down the east side of the country. Surfing dudes can get down to Fete and Dixcove, west of Accra, while animal lovers will find Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakum Nature Park, Bui National Park and Bia National Park are the best choices for seeing some amazing wildlife, with stunning savannahs and rainforests, available for hungry hikers. For those folk who just fancy an interesting stroll, Accra, Ghana’s capital city is the place to go. The area is full of beautiful beaches and is run by local Ghanaians, with a pleasant majority of natives to westerners. At the centre of the city, is the Makola Market, which is full of batik and glass bead vendors, while to the west is the Kaneshie Market, where many products including fresh, ripe fruit and spices can be found. Heading east, visitor will reach Independence Square, which has the Gulf of Guinea as its backdrop, and is where military parades of up to 30,000 people stand. Nearby, is the Arts Centre, a fascinating place and one of the top craft markets in Ghana, where artisans sell their work and street entertainers woo the crowds. By night, clubs abound, especially in Nkrumah Circle, where many Rastafarians can be seen hitting the hot spots!Traveling around Ghana is easily done via local ferry, taxi, bus or mammy wagon! The main ferry has frequent journeys across Lake Volta from Akosombo to Yeji, with many stops along the way and other ferries taking tourists further from Yeji to Buipe and Makongo. Car rental is available in Accra; its costly but the roads are in fairly descent shape and drivers will only have to go through the occasional police checkpoint. Taxis are another option, getting rid of the added worry of driving back to the hotel and if wanting to travel the locals’ way, minibuses, known as tro-tro’s and pickup trucks called mammy wagons, take people around the towns and villages, a cheap but busy form of transport. There is also the option of jumping on the government-owned buses, which travel further a field, connecting passengers to many larger as well as smaller towns.Getting to Ghana is possible via Ghana Airways and other western carriers, which take passengers direct to Ghana’s Kotoka Airport, from London, New York and most places in West Africa. Any other countries will need to connect at one of the above places to enter Ghana or travel via ship or by land. If traveling by ship, passengers will find ports in places such as Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa, providing a slow but scenic journey. The weather here is always hot, so visitors can arrive anytime of the year, with the best advice being to stay near the coast, to quickly cool off when the heat gets too much!
Economy of Ghana:
The economy of Ghana is a mixed economy with both state-owned and private enterprises. It is mainly based on the export of gold, cocoa, and other natural resources such as oil and gas. The country is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and is estimated to have a GDP of approximately $43.1 billion (2020 estimate).Ghana’s economy has seen a significant jump in economic growth since the early 2000s, and the country is now considered to be a middle-income country. The growth in the economy has been largely driven by the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, the development of macroeconomic policies, and the promotion of private sector activity.The country relies heavily on its export sector, with gold being a major contributor. The government has also invested heavily in the development of infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and telecommunications. Other important sectors to the economy include agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.Ghana’s economy is highly dependent on international trade, with exports accounting for around 60% of GDP. The country’s main exports are gold, cocoa, and other natural resources. It also exports timber, fish, and other agricultural products. The country is a major destination for foreign direct investment in the form of industries and businesses.The government of Ghana has taken steps to promote economic growth and reduce poverty, such as increasing access to education, health care, and other social services. It has also implemented economic reforms to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment.
The economy of Ghana is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, as the government continues to implement sound economic policies and attract foreign investment. |
