What we do

Ghana

A well-administered country by regional standards, Ghana is often seen as a model for political and economic reform in Africa. Exports are an essential part of its economy: Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer behind Ivory Coast, and Africa’s biggest gold miner after South Africa. It is one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and its newest oil producer (major offshore oil reserves were discovered in 2007, encouraging expectations of a major economic boost). The high fiscal deficit remains the biggest source of vulnerability of the Ghanaian economy. Significant growth and improvements enabled the country to achieve lower-middle-income status, however persistent development challenges remain, especially in the northern regions where poverty, maternal and infant mortality, seasonal food insecurity and malnutrition rates remain high. On the local level, three interlocking challenges are likely to dominate Ghana’s immediate future: improving access to services, expanding public participation in governance and bringing about the accountable and transparent management of Ghana’s natural resources. (Sources: UNICEF 2016; UNDP 2016)

total population (thousands)

27,410

GNI per capita

1590$

Life expectancy at birth

62 years

Human Development Index

135 (out of 188)

Under-5 mortality rate

62‰

Primary school net enrolment

89%

Adult HIV prevalence (% of the population)

1.5%

People of all ages living with HIV (thousands)

140

improved access to safe water (% of the population)

86%

moderate-severe underweight (% children under-5)

11%