World Factbook
Ghana
Republic of Ghana
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large five-pointed black star centered in the yellow band meaning: red stands for the blood shed for independence, yellow for the country's mineral wealth, and green for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
note: similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Capital
name
Accra
etymology
the name derives from the Akan word nkran , meaning "ant," and may refer to the nickname local forest dwellers gave to the Nigerian tribes who settled in the area in the 16th century
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
5 33 N, 0 13 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; consideration requires prior referral to the Council of State, a body of prominent citizens who advise the president of the republic; passage of amendments to "entrenched" constitutional articles (including those on national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the branches of government, and amendment procedures) requires approval in a referendum by at least 40% participation of eligible voters and at least 75% of votes cast, followed by at least two-thirds majority vote in Parliament, and assent of the president; amendments to non-entrenched articles do not require referenda
Country name
former
Gold Coast
etymology
named for a tribal chieftain who ruled a large part of the region prior to the 13th century, even though his territory was northwest of modern-day Ghana; the former name, Gold Coast, came from the gold that Portuguese explorers discovered in the region in the late 15th century
conventional long form
Republic of Ghana
conventional short form
Ghana
Independence
6 March 1957 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 justices)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals
judge selection and term of office
chief justice appointed by the president in consultation with the Council of State (a small advisory body of prominent citizens) and with the approval of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Council (an 18-member independent body of judicial, military and police officials, and presidential nominees) and on the advice of the Council of State; justices can retire at age 60, with compulsory retirement at age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers; nominated by the president, approved by Parliament
chief of state
President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2025)
election results
2024: John Dramani MAHAMA elected president in the first round; percent of vote- John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 56.5%, Mahamudu BAWUMIA (NPC) 41%, other 2.5% 2020: Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (NPP) 51.3%, John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 47.4%, other 1.3% (2020)
head of government
President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2025)
most recent election date
7 December 2024
election/appointment process
president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); the president is both chief of state and head of government
expected date of next election
7 December 2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
National color(s)
red, yellow, green, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions; Asante Traditional Buildings
Political parties
All Peoples Congress or APC Convention People's Party or CPP Ghana Freedom Party or GFP Ghana Union Movement or GUM Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP Liberal Party of Ghana or LPG National Democratic Congress or NDC National Democratic Party or NDP New Patriotic Party or NPP People's National Convention or PNC Progressive People's Party or PPP United Front Party or UFP United Progressive Party or UPP
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
276 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/7/2024
expected date of next election
December 2028
percentage of women in chamber
14.5%
parties elected and seats per party
National Democratic Congress (NDC) (183); New Patriotic Party (NPP) (88); Other (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"
history
music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup
lyrics/music
unknown/Philip GBEHO
National symbol(s)
black star, golden eagle
Administrative divisions
16 regions; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western, Western North
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 686-4527
chancery
3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 686-4520
chief of mission
Ambassador Victor Emmanuel SMITH (since 19 September 2025)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
info.washington@mfa.gov.gh https://washington.mfa.gov.gh/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
No. 24, Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra, P.O. Box 2288, Accra
telephone
[233] (0) 30-274-1000
mailing address
2020 Accra Place, Washington DC 20521-2020
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Rolf OLSON (since 29 May 2025)
email address and website
ACSAccra@state.gov https://gh.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction