Ghana is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, with a tradition of peaceful power transitions and strong institutions since the early 1990s. Its rich cultural tapestry reflects centuries of Akan, Ewe, Ga-Adangbe, and other ethnic influences, manifested in vibrant festivals, textiles, and living heritage initiatives safeguarded by both communities and national authorities. Geographically, the country spans coastal plains, tropical rainforests, and northern savannas, anchored by landmarks such as Mount Afadjato and Lake Volta, and experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Political Overview
Ghana transitioned to a multi-party constitutional democracy in 1992 and has since held regular, competitive elections with peaceful handovers of power. In December 2024, former president John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress reclaimed the presidency with 56.55 % of the vote, defeating Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia in elections praised for their transparency and calm. Economic challenges marked by high inflation and an IMF rescue package figured prominently in the campaign; President-elect Mahama has signaled intent to renegotiate aspects of the $3 billion IMF program to better suit Ghana’s realities while maintaining macroeconomic stability. Ghana’s Parliament also shifted to an NDC majority, underscoring the electorate’s desire for new policy directions.
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Over 100 languages are spoken in Ghana, with English as the official lingua franca and Akan (Twi/Fante) as the most widely used indigenous language. The Akan are celebrated for their matrilineal social structure and kente weaving, while the Ewe and Ga-Adangbe communities contribute unique drumming styles and cloth traditions such as the Ghanaian smock. Major festivals the Akwasidae of the Ashanti, the Damba of the Northern regions, and the Yam Festival of the Volta reinforce communal bonds and ancestral veneration, drawing tourists and scholars alike. UNESCO’s active support for registering and safeguarding Ghana’s intangible heritage has strengthened local capacity to document, teach, and celebrate these traditions.
Geographical Landscape and Climate
Ghana’s terrain rises from a narrow coastal plain in the south through tropical rainforests and forest-savanna transitions to northern savannas. Mount Afadjato, at 885 m, is the country’s highest peak, located in the Agumatsa Range along the Togo border. A defining feature is Lake Volta the world’s largest man-made lake by surface area (8,502 km², 3.6 % of Ghana’s land) formed by the Akosombo Dam which provides over 1 GW of hydropower and underpins regional electricity exports. The climate is uniformly tropical: the south has two rainy seasons (April–June, September–November), while the north experiences one (May–October) followed by the dry, dusty harmattan winds.
