It was also the first black African nation in the region to achieve independence from a colonial power, in this instance Britain.

OVERVIEW

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Despite being rich in mineral resources, and endowed with a good education system and efficient civil service, Ghana fell victim to corruption and mismanagement soon after independence in 1957.

Accra: Capital city and Ghana's economic hub

In 1966 its first president and pan-African hero, Kwame Nkrumah, was deposed in a coup, heralding years of mostly-military rule. In 1981 Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings staged his second coup. The country began to move towards economic stability and democracy.

In April 1992 a constitution allowing for a multi-party system was approved in a referendum, ushering in a period of democracy.

A well-administered country by regional standards, Ghana is often seen as a model for political and economic reform in Africa. Cocoa exports are an essential part of the economy; Ghana is the world's second-largest producer.

It has a high-profile peacekeeping role; troops from Ghana have been deployed in Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone and DR Congo.

Although Ghana has largely escaped the civil strife that has plagued other West African countries, in 1994-95 land disputes in the north erupted into ethnic violence, resulting in the deaths of 1,000 people and the displacement of a further 150,000.

FACTS

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• Population: 21.8 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Accra
• Area: 238,533 sq km (92,098 sq miles)
• Major languages: English, African languages including Akan, Ewe
• Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam
• Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 57 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: Cedi
• Main exports: Gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds
• GNI per capita: US $380 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .gh
• International dialling code: +233

LEADERS

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President: John Kufuor

John Kufuor won a second term in December 2004, in a presidential poll praised for being well-run and orderly.

President Kufuor is known as the "Gentle Giant"

He came to power in the presidential ballot in December 2000, marking the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power in Ghana since independence. He succeeded the long-time ruler Jerry Rawlings.

Known as the "Gentle Giant", Mr Kufuor has made economic growth a priority. During his first term, inflation and borrowing costs fell.

He has also taken a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts, including those in Liberia and Ivory Coast.

Born in 1938, Mr Kufuor is a devout Roman Catholic. A lawyer who studied at Oxford, he held positions as deputy foreign minister and as secretary for local government.