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Ghana, the closest landmark to the
centre of the world, is located on the west coast of
Africa, about 750 km north of the equator on the Gulf
of Guinea, between the latitudes of 4-11.5 o north and
longitude 3.11° West and 1.11° East. Tema, the
industrial city, which is adjunct to Accra, the capital
city of Ghana , is on the Greenwich Meridian (zero line
of longitude)
Ghana is bounded on the north by Burkina Faso , on the
west by La Cote d'lvoire, on the east by Togo and on
the south by the Gulf of Guinea .
Ghana, a former British colony called the Gold Coast,
became independent on March 6, 1957 . It was the first
black African colony to achieve independence. English
is the official language, and the political, economic,
legal and educational systems are based on familiar
British models.
The period between the 15 th and 19 th centuries witnessed
a power struggle for the country amongst European nations
for fortunes in gold and ivory, following the advent
of the Portuguese who discovered gold in 1471 and built
Elmina castle in 1482. The other Europeans were the
Dutch, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and the British. The
battle for control and supremacy over the land culminated
in the building of many forts and castles which were
used not only as trading posts but also as dungeons
for the infamous slave trade. It is significant to note
that out of the about forty-three (43) forts and castles
in West Africa, thirty -three (33) are in Ghana alone.
Out of these about twenty five (25) are in good condition,
including Elmina and Cape Coast Castles and Fort St
Jago, all three of which are recognised by UNESCO as
World Heritage Monuments.
The country has therefore held and continue to hold
out a lot of attractions notably :
• rich mineral resources such as gold, diamonds,
manganese, limestone, bauxite, iron ore as well as various
clays and granite deposits. In 1999, Ghana produced
2,620,096 million ounces of gold and 684,033.4 carats
of diamonds ( Ghana is the second largest producer of
gold in Africa ).
• extensive forests which are arguably the
best managed in West Africa (with 252 permanent forest
reserves in the rain forest zone alone. In total about
11% of Ghana is defined as forest.). Out of a total
land area of 23 million hectares, 13 million hectares
(57%) is suitable for agricultural production, and 5.3
million hectares (39%) of this is under cultivation.
( Ghana is the second largest
producer of cocoa in the world. It is also the third
largest producer of timber and the second largest exporter
of wood and wood products in Africa )
rich marine fishing resources (tuna and game fishing);
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beautiful landscape, inviting sunshine, pristine beaches, exotic wildlife and exciting national parks and game reserves;
a rich culture and tradition and a world acclaimed warmth and hospitality of its people. |
