West Africa.

GMT.

238,537 sq km (92,100 sq miles).

21.8 million (UN, 2005).

91.39 per sq km.

Accra. Population: 2.2 million (World Bank estimate).

Ghana is situated in West Africa and is a rectangular-shaped country bordered to the north by Burkina Faso, the east by Togo, the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by Côte d’Ivoire. A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills, beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. In the far north is a plateau averaging 500m (1600ft) in height. In the east the Akuapim Togo hills run inland from the coast along the Togo border. The Black and White Volta rivers enter Ghana from Burkina Faso, merging into the largest manmade lake in the world, Lake Volta. Ghana’s coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons.

Under the provisions of a new constitution accepted by referendum in April 1992, the President and a new National Assembly are elected by universal suffrage. The President can be elected for a maximum of two four-year terms. The unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, has 200 seats and is also elected for four years.

Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1957. Head of State: President John Agyekum Kufour. Recent history: Mr Kufour won a closely-fought election in December 2000 against John Atta Mills, former deputy of long-time leader Jerry John Rawlings. Kufour's party, the New Patriotic Party, also replaced Rawlings' National Democratic Congress as the largest party in the Ghanaian Parliament. With most of the senior echelons of the government and security forces occupied by long-term Rawlings loyalists, Kufour was obliged to move cautiously at first. But, growing in confidence, he has since set up a 'reconciliation commission' to investigate human rights abuses during military rule. The Kufour government has also had to deal with inter-communal violence and land disputes in the north of the country. The greatest controversy, however, has concerned its decision to sell the country's largest and most important company, Ashanti Goldfields (see Business). Since coming to power, economic growth has been Kufour's priority. The country has seen drops in inflation and borrowing costs. Kufour was re-elected in 2004.

The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Akan, Ewe, Fante, Ga, Dagomba and Twi.

Christian (69 per cent), Muslim and traditional beliefs. All forms of religion have a strong influence on Ghanaian life.

Ghanaians should always be addressed by their formal titles unless they specifically request otherwise. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. It is customary in much of West Africa not to use the left hand for touching food. Photography: Permission should be sought before photographing military installations, government buildings or airports.

220 volts AC, 50Hz; usually three-pin plugs. Single phase three-pin plugs are used in larger buildings. Older buildings have two-pin plugs. Light bulbs are of the bayonet type.