Country Profile

Long one of the continent’s success stories, Ghana is the birthplace of pan-Africanism and was one of the biggest advocates for independence during the colonial period. It has since developed one of the region’s largest and most advanced markets, and has become a diplomatic and economic force in West Africa. The country benefits from a wealth of natural resources, including cocoa, gold and – more recently – oil and gas. While economic growth has slowed in the last several years on the back of external pressures and low commodity prices, Ghana’s upstream resources give it a strong foundation from which to bounce back as conditions improve. It has a population of just over 28m and is the 33rd-largest country in Africa. Life expectancy, school enrolment and GDP growth are all above the sub-Saharan average.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from President Nana Akufo-Addo; and interviews with Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, Chairman, Economic Management Team; and Marcel de Souza, President, ECOWAS Commission.