ate: 4.11 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective: Ghanaian

Ethnic groups: black African 99.8% (major tribes--Akan 44%,
Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%,
other 8%

Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan,
Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 64.5%
male: 75.9%
female: 53.5% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast

Data code: GH

Government type: constitutional democracy

Capital: Accra

Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo,
Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West,
Volta, Western

Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

Constitution: new constitution approved 28 April 1992

Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jerry John RAWLINGS (since 7 January
1993); Vice President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 1993);
note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jerry John RAWLINGS (since 7 January
1993); Vice President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January 1993);
note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject
to approval by the Parliament
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 December
1996 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: Jerry John RAWLINGS reelected president; percent
of vote--RAWLINGS 57%

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (200 seats; members are
elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 7 December 1996 (next to be held NA December
2000)
election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--NDC
133, NPP 61, PCP 5, PNC 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress or

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC,