Ghana - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Ghana, it was named for the medieval West African kingdom of the same name but whose location was actually further north than the modern country. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 16 regions; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western, Western North
National symbols
Black star, golden eagle; national colors: red, yellow, green, black.
The flag
The National flag of Ghana has three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents the country's mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom.
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note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
The National Anthem
| Title | "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | unknown/Philip GBEHO |
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note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup
More about the government of Ghana
| Date of Independence | 6 March 1957 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 6 March (1957) |
| Legal system | mixed system of English common law and customary law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993 |
| Amendments | 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; amended 1996 |
| 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 |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (since 7 January 2017) |
| Head of government | President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (since 7 January 2017) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers; nominated by the president, approved by Parliament |
| Elections/appointments | 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); election last held on 7 December 2024 (next to be held on 7 December 2028); the president is both chief of state and head of government |
| 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) |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) |
| Elections | Last held on 7 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2024) |
| Election results | Percent of vote by party - NPP 50.4%, NDC 46.2%, independent 2.3%, other 1.1%; seats by party- NPP 137, NDC 137, independent 1; composition- men 235, women 40, percentage women 14.6% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 justices) |
| 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 upon 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 |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Alima MAHAMA (since 7 July 2021) |
| Chancery | 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 686-4520 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 686-4527 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://ghanaembassydc.org/ |
| Consulate(s) general | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Virginia E. PALMER (since 16 June 2022) |
| Embassy | No. 24, Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra, P.O. Box 2288, Accra |
| Mailing address | 2020 Accra Place, Washington DC 20521-2020 |
| Telephone | [233] (0) 30-274-1000 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://gh.usembassy.gov/ |
| 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 |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Ghana
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Ghana
Want to know more about Ghana? Check all different factbooks for Ghana below.
