Facts about ghana

The Country...

Originally called the Gold Coast by European traders, Ghana lies almost in the center of the countries along the Gulf of Guinea, on the
west coast of Africa. The first Europeans to arrive in Ghana were the Portuguese. The Danish, Dutch and British also settled in Ghana.
Eventually, the British gained control of the trade and
coastal forts, and extended their rule across the entire country.

The traders involved Ghana in what was known as the "Trade Triangle." Cloth, guns, beads and liquor were carried from Europe to the west coast of Africa in exchange for gold, slaves, ivory and pepper. These
were taken across the Atlantic Ocean to North America and traded for
sugar, cotton and tobacco in European markets.

When the country became independent in 1957, it took its name from the ancient Ghana empire, which had
spread across much of the African continent from 800 to 1240 A.D.

Ghana's 239,460 square miles of area make it slightly larger than the states of Illinois and Indiana
combined. The terrain varies greatly, from dense tropical rain forest to grasslands and savannah. Ghana
experiences high temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cocoa is Ghana's most important commercial crop, accounting for 30 percent of its total export earnings.
Coconuts, palm oil, bananas, timber, processed wood products, gold, diamonds, manganese, and bauxite are also exported.

The People...

Ghana is primarily an agricultural country, with nearly 60 percent of its working population living on
subsistence farming.

Ghana's 16 million people are of many ethnic groups. Although nearly 60 different languages are spoken in
Ghana, English is the official national language.

Religion in Ghana...

Although Christianity is firmly established in Ghana, the church faces several serious challenges.

For example, there are an estimated 14,000 unchurched towns and villages. There is also increasing concern over the growing influence of Islam and a lack of mission zeal among Christians in Ghana.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, with congregations in eight of the nation's 10 regions, has
approximately 20,000 members and is a growing church.