Ghana is a country in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea. On the north, Ghana is bordered by Burkina; on the south it’s bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east it’s bordered by Togo, and on the west it’s bordered by Côte d'Ivoire.
Ghana: Formally the Gold Coast
Ghana was formally known as the Gold Coast – it’s a former British colony which was led to independence in March 1957 by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. In fact, Ghana became Africa’s first independent black sub-Saharan nation. This fascinating country was named Ghana after the ancient Empire of Ghana, where it’s believed the ancestors of the current inhabitants originally came from. The name ‘Ghana’ actually means Warrior King. In fact, in precolonial times, this land had previously been inhabited by a number of ancient Akan kingdoms.
The Country Known as ‘Africa for Beginners’
Ghana has wonderful beaches, a rich culture, vibrant cities, amazing hinterland, friendly inhabitants and easy transportation, so it’s no wonder that Ghana is known as a beautiful place to visit.
With its population of 26 million people, Ghana is renowned for its diverse wildlife, it’s secluded beaches (like Busua) and old forts. Coastal towns Cape Coast and Elmina contain colonial buildings, native shrines known as Posubans, and castles-turned-museums which serve as a reminder of the slave trade. In the huge Kakum National Park to the north of Cape Coast, one can view the rainforest by way of a fantastic treetop walkway.
Ghana’s Population
The population of Ghana is divided into around 75 ethnic groups. As at the year 2012, the estimated population of Ghana was almost 20 million people. The coastal areas are the most densely populated parts of Ghana, including the two principal cities Kumasi and Accra, and the Ashanti region. Roughly 70% of Ghana’s total population live in the southern half of Ghana. Most of these people are the Ashanti who live in central Ghana, and the coastal Fanti - both of these groups belong to the Aka family. The Ga-Adangbe inhabit the Accra Plains, while in the northern region most of the inhabitants belong to the Gonja group or the Moshi-Dagomba group.
The Capital of Ghana
Accra is the largest city in Ghana and it’s also the capital city. It’s located in south-eastern Ghana on the Gulf of Guinea. Besides being an important communication, manufacturing, and commercial center, it’s the site of the International airport. It’s also the core of Ghana’s railroad system which includes a link to nearby Tema: since 1962, Tema has served as Ghana’s deep-water port.
Accra is a sprawling city of varied appearance, with buildings consisting of colonial, modern, and traditional African architecture. Of particular note are the National Museum and the 17th-century Christiansborg Castle, which today is the Chief of State’s residence. The University of Ghana is located in the nearby town of Legon, but several technical and research institutes are located in Accra itself.
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