2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January
2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject
to approval by Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held on 7 and 28 December 2008 (next to be held on 7
December 2012)
election results: John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-off
election; percent of vote - John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana Addo
Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (230 seats; members elected by direct, popular
vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 December 2008 (next to be held on 7
December 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
NDC 114, NPP 107, PNC 2, CPP 1, independent 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Convention People's Party or CPP [Ladi NYLANDER]; Democratic Freedom
Party or DFP [Alhaji Abudu Rahman ISSAKAH]; Every Ghanaian Living
Everywhere or EGLE; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan
LARTEY]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Kwabena ADJEI];
New Patriotic Party or NPP [Peter MAC-MANU]; People's National
Convention or PNC [Alhaji Amed RAMADAN]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie
OPUKU]; United Renaissance Party or URP [Charles WAYO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Christian Aid (water rights); Committee for Joint Action or CJA
(education reform); National Coalition Against the Privatization of
Water or CAP (water rights); Oxfam (water rights); Public Citizen
(water rights); Students Coalition Against EPA [Kwabena Ososukene
OKAI] (education reform); Third World Network (education reform)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM,
OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel Ohene AGYEKUM
chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520
FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald G. TEITELBAUM
embassy: 24 4th Circular Rd. Cantonments, Accra
mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra
telephone: [233] (21) 741-000
FAX: [233] (21) 741-389
Flag description:
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
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
National anthem:
name: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"
lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO
note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were
changed twice, once when a republic was declared in 1960 and again
after a 1966 coup
Economy ::Ghana
Economy - overview:
Ghana is well endowed with natural resources and agriculture
accounts for roughly one-third of GDP and employs more than half of
the workforce, mainly small landholders. The services sector
accounts for 50% of GDP. Gold and cocoa production and individual
remittances are major sources of foreign exchange. Oil production at
Ghana's offshore Jubilee field began in mid-December and is expected
to boost economic growth. Ghana signed a Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in
transforming Ghana's agricultural sector. Ghana opted for debt
relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program in
2002, and is also benefiting from the Multilateral Debt Relief
Initiative that took effect in 2006. In 2009 Ghana signed a
three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF to
improve macroeconomic stability, private sector competitiveness,
human resource development, and good governance and civic
responsibility. Sound macro-economic management along with high
prices for gold and cocoa helped sustain GDP growth in 2008-10. In
early 2010 President John Atta MILLS targeted recovery from high
inflation and current account and budget deficits as his priorities.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$38.24 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$36.53 billion (2009 est.)
$35.09 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$18.06 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
4.1% (2009 est.)
7.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
$1,500 (2009 est.)
$1,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.7%
industry: 24.7%
services: 41.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
10.56 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 56%
industry: 15%
services: 29% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Population below poverty line:
28.5% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.4 (2005-06)
country comparison to the world: 65
40.7 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
39.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Public debt:
59.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
55.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
19.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
18% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 15
17% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$6.26 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 82
$5.203 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$9.583 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$7.823 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.155 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$6.987 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.508 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 88
$3.394 billion (31 December 2008)
$2.38 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas;
timber
Industries:
mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food
processing, cement, small commercial ship building
Industrial production growth rate:
5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - production:
6.746 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - consumption:
5.702 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - exports:
249 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
435 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
7,081 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Oil - consumption:
57,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - exports:
4,843 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Oil - imports:
45,380 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Oil - proved reserves:
15 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - proved reserves:
22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Current account balance:
-$1.871 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
-$1.199 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$7.326 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$5.84 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore,
diamonds, horticulture
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 13.45%, UK 7.87%, France 5.85%, Ukraine 5.84%, Malaysia
3.97% (2009)
Imports:
$10.18 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$8.046 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
China 16.8%, Nigeria 11.88%, US 6.63%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.99%, India
5.57%, France 5.09%, UK 4.23% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$3.165 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$6.483 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
$5.427 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 1.4 (2010), 1.4 (2009), 1.1 (2008), 0.95
(2007), 9,174.8 (2006)
Communications ::Ghana
Telephones - main lines in use:
267,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 120
Telephones - mobile cellular:
15.109 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 49
Telephone system:
general assessment: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local
loop has been installed; outdated and unreliable fixed-line
infrastructure heavily concentrated in Accra
domestic: competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has
spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 60 per 100 persons
and rising
international: country code - 233; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC,
Main One, and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide
connectivity to South Africa, Europe, and Asia; satellite earth
stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link
to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several
privately-owned TV stations and a large number of privately-owned
radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters
are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services
are obtainable (2007)
Internet country code:
.gh
Internet hosts:
41,082 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93
Internet users:
1.297 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 93
Transportation ::Ghana
Airports:
11 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 155
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Pipelines:
oil 5 km; refined products 309 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 947 km
country comparison to the world: 93
narrow gauge: 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 62,221 km
country comparison to the world: 74
paved: 9,955 km
unpaved: 52,266 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,293 km
country comparison to the world: 58
note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano
rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta
(2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 135
by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3
foreign-owned: 2 (Brazil 1, South Korea 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Takoradi, Tema
Military ::Ghana
Military branches:
Ghanaian Army, Ghanaian Navy, Ghanaian Air Force (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education
certificate; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,126,707
females age 16-49: 6,058,958 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,022,056
females age 16-49: 4,101,964 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 270,993
female: 263,961 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 90
Transnational Issues ::Ghana
Disputes - international:
Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the
cocoa plantations and escaped fighting in Cote d'Ivoire
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 35,653 (Liberia); 8,517 (Togo) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major
transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a
lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the
US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a
well developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility
as a money laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and
cannabis use
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Gibraltar (Europe)
Introduction ::Gibraltar
Background:
Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great
Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison
was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in
1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British
dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK
led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication
links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997
and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar.
In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a
referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted
overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since
late 2004, tripartite talks among Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have
been held with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that
affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation
agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services;
communications and maritime security; policy, legal and customs
services; environmental protection; and education and visa services.
Throughout 2009, a dispute over Gibraltar's claim to territorial
waters extending out three miles gave rise to periodic non-violent
maritime confrontations between Spanish and UK naval patrols. A new
noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, and the European
Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its
own tax regime in December 2008, but the UK retains responsibility
for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial
stability.
Geography ::Gibraltar
Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links
the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern
coast of Spain
Geographic coordinates:
36 08 N, 5 21 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 6.5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 242
land: 6.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries:
total: 1.2 km
border countries: Spain 1.2 km
Coastline:
12 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Terrain:
a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock
water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking
water) and adequate desalination plant
Geography - note:
strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North
Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
People ::Gibraltar
Population:
28,877 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.9% (male 3,088/female 2,922)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 9,667/female 9,467)
65 years and over: 12.7% (male 1,754/female 1,898) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 33.1 years
male: 32.2 years
female: 34.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.27% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Birth rate:
14.2 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Death rate:
8.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Net migration rate:
-3.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.071 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 168
male: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.53 years
country comparison to the world: 46
male: 75.69 years
female: 81.56 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.96 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Gibraltarian(s)
adjective: Gibraltar
Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North
Africans
Religions:
Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%,
Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none
2.9% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish,
Italian, Portuguese
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: above 80%
male: NA
female: NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Gibraltar
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gibraltar
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Gibraltar
geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national
referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain
Constitution:
5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007
Legal system:
the laws of the UK where applicable apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been
residents six months or more
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor Vice Admiral Sir Adrian JOHNS (since 26
October 2009)
head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected
members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the
chief minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed
chief minister by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote,
1 for the speaker appointed by Parliament; members serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held on 11 October 2007 (next to be held not later
than October 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 49.3%, GSLP 31.8%,
Gibraltar Liberal Party 13.6%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 4,
Gibraltar Liberal Party 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats
or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP
[Joseph John BOSSANO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's
Association
International organization participation:
Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a
three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging
from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band; the
design is that of Gibraltar's coat of arms granted on 10 July 1502
by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle symbolizes
Gibraltar as a fortress, while the key represents Gibraltar's
strategic importance - the key to the Mediterranean
National anthem:
name: "Gibraltar Anthem"
lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY
note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the
United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United
Kingdom)
Economy ::Gibraltar
Economy - overview:
Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade,
offshore banking, and its position as an international conference
center. Tax rates are low to attract foreign investment. The British
military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about
7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial
sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), gaming
revenues, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also
generate revenue. The financial sector, tourism, and the shipping
sector contribute 30%, 30%, and 25%, respectively, of GDP.
Telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-gaming account for the
remaining 15%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural
change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in
government spending still have a major impact on the level of
employment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.106 billion (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
$1.066 billion (2005 est.)
$769 million (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.106 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.7% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 91
7% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,400 (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$38,200 (2005 est.)
$27,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 0%
services: 100% (2008)
Labor force:
12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001)
country comparison to the world: 214
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: negligible
industry: 40%
services: 60% (2001)
Unemployment rate:
3% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Public debt:
15.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 119
15.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 83
2.9% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
none
Industries:
tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
146 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - consumption: