Basic Facts
The following are basic facts that you should know about Ghana, Africa.
Full name: Republic of Ghana
Population: 23.9 million (UN, 2008)
Capital: Accra
International Airport: Kotoka International Airport (KIA)
Area: 238,533 sq km (92,098 sq miles)
Language: English (official), local African languages include Akan, Ewé, Ga, Dagbani, Nzema and Hausa
Major Religions: Christian (60%), Muslim (15%), indigenous beliefs (25%)
Government: Parliamentary democracy, President – John Atta Mills (2008)
Electricity: 220V/240V, 50Hz
Telecommunications: The international dialling code for Ghana is +(233). The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00(613) for Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). Accra\’s city code is 21. There are several GSM cell phone operations across Ghana that have roaming agreements with most international networks. You can use your smart cellular phone in Accra, however, your carrier will charge you heavily for roaming fees and international calls. If it is absolutely necessary, buy a cheap GSM phone locally including a top off card for making local and international calls.
Money: The official currency of Ghana is the cedi (GHC or ¢). Foreign currency can be exchanged at some commercial banks and Forex Bureaus throughout Accra, including many of the larger hotels in Accra. Reliable places to exchange your money become less common outside of Accra, so it is best to get enough cedis before travelling outside the city. Most banks in Ghana have ATMs where you can withdraw money in cedis. Also, major hotels, restaurants and other businesses accept credit cards.
Economic Activity and Main Exports: Cocoa exports are an essential part of the economy and Ghana is known as the world\’s second-largest producer. Other exports include gold, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, and diamonds.