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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Ghana Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Accra, released July 1999

CHAPTER X APPENDIX A:   Country Data

Area:		238,305 sq. km. 

Population:	19.4 Million (1999 est.) A census has been slated for mid-2000. 

Population 	
Growth Rate:	3.0%

Religion:   Freedom of religion is guaranteed in Ghana. Population of Ghana comprises 43% Christians, 38% followers of traditional African religions and 12% Muslims.

Government System:   Government is organized along the lines of the U.S. system but has a single legislative arm. President is elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term. There is a Vice President and a legislative branch (Parliament) made up of 200 members elected by universal suffrage. Next election will be held in December, 2000.

Head of State:   Jerry John Rawlings. The President is the Chief Executive and The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Cabinet:   Appointed by President subject to parliamentary approval.

Languages:   English is the official national language, but approximately 75 other languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana.

Workweek:   Monday through Friday. Business Hours: 8.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00. Banks are open to the public from 8.30-14.00, Monday through Thursday, and 8.30-15.00 on Friday. Foreign exchange bureaus open from 8.00-19.00 Monday through Friday and 8.00-12.00 on Saturday. Some shops open on Saturday, but usually close at 2:00 p.m.

Climate:   Tropical. Accra's hottest months are February-April, coolest are July-September. Driest month is January, wettest is June.

Time:   Time throughout Ghana is 0 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), five hours ahead of Washington, D.C. - four hours during daylight saving time.

APPENDIX B:   Domestic Economy

	
				1997		1998 		1999E	

GDP(In USD Millions
 at current prices)             6,884   	7,630		7,932

Real GDP Growth 
rate (percent)		       	  4.2 		  4.6		  5.5

GDP per capita 			  385		  415		  420

Government Spending as 
  percent of GDP		 28.6 		 28.6		 26.8

Inflation (percent)		 20.8		 15.7 		  9.5
  end-of-period

Unemployment			   22		   20		   20   

Foreign Exchange Reserves         508		  502         	  561

Average Exchange Rate 
(Cedis/1 US Dollar)		2,250		2,346		2,551

Debt Service Ratio		 35.1		 30.8		 26.8
  including IMF

US Economic/Military		 51.9		 57.5
Assistance (Millions/USD)				

APPENDIX C:   Merchandise Trade Data (Millions of US dollars)

Total Country Exports:			1997   - 1,491
                              		1998   - 1,830
                              		1999E  - 1,880
Total Country Imports:			1997   - 2,128
                             		1998   - 2,213
                              		1999E  - 2,253

U.S. Exports to Ghana:       		1997   - 314.3
                              		1998   - 223.4
                              		1999E  - 253.0 

U.S. Imports from Ghana:     		1997   - 154.1
                              		1998   - 144.4
                              		1999E  - 140.0

Sources:

Ministry of Finance
Statistical Service Department
Bank of Ghana
U.S. Mission estimates
U.S Dept. of Commerce

APPENDIX D:   Investment Statistics

(Please see Chapter VII, Investment Climate, item F)