About Ghana "AKWAABA"HISTORICAL GHANA

LAND AREA
238,540 sq km (92,100 sq miles)
COAST LINE
540 km
CLIMATE
Tropical-General temperatures 21-32°C
Rainy seasons: March - July
September - October
Dry & Hot summer (Dry Harmattan winds): November - March
ADMINISTRATION
Ten administrative regions and Capitals as follows:
REGION CAPITAL MILEAGE FROM ACCRA

POPULATION
18,845,265 (2000 census)
20,757,032 (July 2004 est)
LANGUAGE
Official - English
Local languages include Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Nzema and Hausa.
RELIGION
Mostly Christian, Moslem and Traditional religions also exist.
CAPITAL CITY
Accra
GOVERNMENT
Constitutional Democracy
INDEPENDENCE
6th March 1957 from British Administration. The country was formerly known as the Gold Coast.
LOCAL TIME
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
NATURAL RESOURCES
Gold, Diamond, Bauxite, Manganese, Timber and Cocoa.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1 - New Year"s Day
January/February - Eid Ul Adha (according to Muslim calendar)
March 6 - Independence Day
April - Good Friday
Easter Monday
May 1 - May Day
May 25 - African Union Day
July 1 - Republic Day
November/December - Eid Ul-Fitr (Moslem festival)..
December 1st Friday - Farmers Day
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Boxing Day
COUNTRY DIALING CODE
00233
HISTORICAL GHANA Formerly the Gold Coast, Ghana is a young republic which became independent from Britain on March 6. 1957, the first black African colony to achieve its independence. Ghana occupies the pinnacle spot in Pan-African history having hit the torch for African Emancipation and became home in famous Pan-Africanist such as W.E. B Du Bois and George Pad more. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah whose mausoleum adds to Accra"s landscape was Ghana"s first President.
European power struggle between the 15th and 19th centuries started with the Portuguese who built Elmina Castle in 1482. They were followed by the Dutch, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and the British looking for fortunes in gold and ivory.
This intense commercial rivalry ended with the growth of the tragic trade in silvery - all 42 European castles and fortifications were used as dungeons for the millions most of whom lost their lives or whose descendants compose the African diaspora today.
42 forts and castles including Elmina and Cape Coast Castles are recognised by UNESCO as World I Heritage Monuments.
Sites of wars between the British and at he indigenous population especially the Ashanti peoples.
Ancient artistry in fabrics with the colourful and popular Ashanti Bonwire Kente Cloth now adopted as a focus of identity by many people of African descent the world over.
An antique collector"s haven for ancient terra cotta work. Traditional gold jewellery, Krobo beads, northern leather and straw product, woodcarving of Ahwiaa-Ashanti.
The practice of ancient herbal and alternative medicine side by side with orthodox medical practice throughout the country; herbariums preserve the ancient medical heritage.
Colourful traditional festivals full of pomp and pageantry with Chiefs and Queen Mothers riding on lushly gilded palanquins.
Colourful traditional open markets and lorry parks provide the sounds and sights of the African bazaar.


SOME OF GHANA BEAUTIFUL ARTS AND INTERESTING PLACES