Ghana
Ghana
Ghana is a nation in West Africa, with a southern coastline on the Gulf of Guinea. It borders Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and Côte d'Ivoire to the west. While English is the official language, another ten indigenous languages are spoken.
In 1957, Ghana gained independence from Britain, becoming the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence from its colonial ruler. Ghana suffered a series of military coups including in 1981 when Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings seized power. In 1992, under a new constitution, Rawlings won the Presidential election and the subsequent poll in 1996. Since that time, Ghana has held democratic elections in accordance with its constitution.
President Nana Akufo-Addo was elected President in December 2016 and won re-election in 2020.
Economically, Ghana achieved middle income status in 2010 and has one of the highest GDP per capita rates in West Africa. Ghana has abundant natural resources and is the second largest African producer of Gold (after South Africa). Other natural resources include oil, iron and diamonds and it is a major producer of cocoa.
Australia has resident accreditation to Ghana through our High Commission in Accra.
- Country Fact Sheet [PDF]
This document may not meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. If you require a fully accessible copy of this document, please contact StatsSection@dfat.gov.au
Economic diplomacy
Travel information
- Before you travel, visit smartraveller.gov.au
- Read the travel advice for Ghana
- Subscribe to updates
- Get the right travel insurance
- For how we can help Australians overseas, see the Consular services charter
- Australian Passports Office
- Visa information