Ghana Profile
Overview
The West African nation of Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Once a British colony, Ghana became the first country in colonial Africa to gain independence in 1957. The population is made up of more than 75 ethnic groups, the largest being the Akan, Mole-Dagbane, Ewe and Ga. English is the official language, although ethnic languages are spoken widely, especially in the rural areas and villages.
Based on World Vision figures from 2005, Ghana’s unemployment rate is at 20 percent overall, and nearly one-third of the population lives below the poverty line. The economy is dependent upon subsistence agriculture, which employs 60 percent of adults.
Because of a diminished agricultural economy, large numbers of people are migrating to urban areas, causing the increase of slums and children living on the street. Access to health care, clean drinking water, and sanitation is poor, especially in rural areas. Illiteracy is high, especially among women.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has severely impacted Ghanaian families. Hundred of thousands of children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. World Vision statistics from 2005 state that over 350,000 people age 15 to 49 are living with the disease.
WAF, through efforts to equip and empower nationals in education, health care, social work and youth mentoring, seeks to change the outlook for the children of Ghana, offering them hope and a vision of a future that can look very different.
Statistics
 |
Country Statistics |
Ghana |
Population |
21.6 million |
|
Land Mass |
89,166 sq. miles |
|
Life Expectancy |
57 years |
|
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000) |
68 |
|
Literacy Rate |
54% |
Donations |
See Us At Work
|
NewsletterSign up for our mailing list |
