Ghana Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

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

Population
21.8 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
91.39 per sq km.

Capital
Accra.
Population: 2.2 million (World Bank estimate 2002).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1957.

Language
The official language is English. Local Ghanaian languages are widely spoken, including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe and Ga.

Religion
Christian, Muslim and traditional beliefs. All forms of religion have a strong influence on Ghanaian life.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; usually three-pin plugs. Single phase three-pin plugs are used in larger buildings.

Head of State
President John Atta Mills since 2008.

Recent History
President John Atta Mills was elected in December 2008, his third attempt at winning the presidency.

Mr Kufour won a closely-fought election in 2000 against John Atta Mills, former deputy of long-time leader Jerry John Rawlings, and was re-elected in 2004. Kufour set up a 'reconciliation commission' to investigate human rights abuses during military rule. The Kufour government 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. Since coming to power, economic growth has been Kufour's priority. The country has seen drops in inflation and borrowing costs.

Telephone
Country code: 233.

Mobile Telephone
Coverage is good around main towns and patchy to non-existent elsewhere. Roaming agreements exist with numerous companies.

Internet
Internet facilities can be found throughout the country in most towns but connection is usually very slow (56K). Hotels have faster access. Internet popularity is rapidly growing and service is improving to keep up with demand.

Media
A free press operates in Ghana. There are no major restrictions on private press and broadcasters, who are regularly critical of government policy. Lively radio phone-in programs are common and popular. Numerous private radio stations compete for limited advertising revenue in Accra and elsewhere. The state-run Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) runs national TV and radio networks.

Post
Airmail letters to Europe may take two weeks or more to arrive.

Press
• Daily and weekly newspapers are available in English and include the state-owned Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times (both daily) and The Mirror (weekly).
• Private dailies include The Ghanaian Chronicle and the Daily Guide.

Radio
• GBC operates Radio 1 (programs in English and local languages), Radio 2 and local Accra station Unique FM.
• Among the plethora of private stations are Adom FM, Happy FM, Space FM and Vibe FM.
• BBC World Service and Radio France Internationale are available on FM in Accra.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Mar Independence Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Africa Day.
1 Jul Republic Day.
20/21 Sep Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
4 Dec National Farmers' Day.
27/28 Nov Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec Revolution Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Mar Independence Day. 
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Africa Day.
1 Jul Republic Day.
10/11 Sep Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
16/17 Nov Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
3 Dec National Farmers' Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec Revolution Day.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Ministry of Tourism
PO Box 4386, Accra, Ghana
Tel: (21) 666 701.
Website: www.ghanatourism.gov.gh

Ghana High Commission (Education, Visas and Trade) in the UK
104 Highgate Hill, London N6 5HE, UK
Tel: (020) 8342 7500 or 7501 (visa section).
Website: www.ghana-com.co.uk
Consulate opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300.

Ghana High Commission (Information and Administration) in the UK
13 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PN, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 4142.
Website: www.ghana-com.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in the USA
3512 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 686 4520.
Website: www.ghanaembassy.org


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