Society of Ghana
KEY FACTS 2015
Population per sq km: 120
Life expectancy: 62 years
Net primary enrolment: 91%
Population: 27,409,000 (2015); 53 per cent of people live in urban areas and 17 per cent in urban agglomerations of more than one million people; growth 2.3 per cent p.a. 1990–2015; birth rate 33 per 1,000 people (47 in 1970); life expectancy 62 years (49 in 1970).
The population is predominantly made up of African groups: Akan (45 per cent in 2000 census), Mole–Dagbani (15 per cent), Ewe (12 per cent), Ga-Adangbe (seven per cent), Guan (four per cent), Gurma (four per cent), Grusi (three per cent). There are very small minorities of other races.
Language: The official language is English. The principal indigenous language group is Akan, of which Twi and Fanti are the most commonly used forms. Ga is spoken in the Accra region, Ewe in Volta, and the MoleDagbani language group in northern Ghana.
Religion: Christians 71 per cent in 2010 census and Muslims 18 per cent; traditional animist religions are often practised alongside both of these religions.
Media: Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times (both state-owned), The Ghanaian Chronicle and Daily Guide are daily newspapers. The Herald publishes three times a week and The Mirror weekly.
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is the public TV and radio provider, broadcasting in Ghanaian languages and English; many private radio stations and TV channels are also available, particularly in the urban areas.
Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Independence Day (6 March), Workers’ Day (1 May), Africa Day (25 May), Republic Day (1 July), Farmers’ Day (first Friday in December), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).