Resources
Ghana
With its easygoing atmosphere, Ghana has emerged as a pacesetter for recovery and standards of governance. But its performance also falls short of its promise. - -
Content
Pace-setter in search of new levels of growth
Ghana’s recent economic and governance record sets it apart in West Africa, but its performance falls short of its promise.
Economy: Big effort to create more formal sector jobs
The finance minister is concentrating on promoting temporary and seasonal employment.
Politics: A rare example of a maturing democratic culture
The climate of politics is in sharp contrast to the years of military rule under Jerry Rawlings.
Infrastructure: Provision of services urgently needed
The launch of a new airline doesn’t do much for those living in converted shipping containers with no sanitation or electricity.
Agriculture: Market logic that undermines output
Hampered by inadequate infrastructure and marketing systems, poorer farmers remain trapped.
Diversification: A belated attempt at technology catch-up
Efforts are being made to broaden the economic base from its core earners of cocoa, gold and tourism.
Ghana key facts
- Official name: Republic of Ghana
- Capital: Accra
- Population: 21.4 million
- Currency: Cedi
- Official language: English
Introduction
The heartland of the ancient Ashanti kingdom, modern Ghana is a union of the former British colony of the Gold Coast and the British-administered part of the UN Trust Territory of Togoland. Ghana gained independence in 1957, the first west African colony to do so. Multiparty democracy was embraced in 1992, and the handover of power to the main opposition party in 2000 confirmed the shift from a recent history of intermittent military rule.
