5 Facts of Ghana

The capital of Ghana is Accra

The Republic of Ghana is located on the West Coast of Africa. It was formerly known as the Gold Coast and was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from the United Kingdom's colonial rule in 1957. Ghana is bordered on its southern side by the Gulf of Guinea; prime coastal location and rich resources have made Ghana one of the worlds leading exporters of cocoa and other commodities. This strong democracy has become one of Africa's most economically progressive countries. Here are some interesting facts about Ghana's culture and history you might care to know.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

Ghana's castles and forts date back to the 15th century. They were built by Europeans and include huge warehouses to store natural resources for exporting. These resources included gold, ivory and African slaves. The castles and forts of Ghana have been designated as World Heritage Monuments.

2

'Anansi the spider, a popular children's folktale, originated from the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana. The Ashanti tribe developed into a powerful empire; dominating West Africa from the 1700's to the 1900's. They were finally defeated by the British in the early 1900's and the Gold Coast colony was established.

3

With a population estimated to be near 22 million, Ghanaians speak over 70 different languages and dialects; there are over 100 different ethnic groups throughout the country. Twi is the most dominant dialect spoken among the natives; however, English is taught in the schools, as it is the country's official language, a by-product of its colonial heritage.

4

In 2007, discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea has Ghana on the brink of becoming an important producer and exporter of oil. Oil production in Ghana officially began in the 4th quarter of 2010.

5

A native son, Kofi Atta Annan, has been Secretary General of The United Nations since December of 1996. He is the recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.