KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1957 Population: 24,966,000 (2011) GNI p.c.: US$1,410 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 135 Geography Area: 238,537 sq km Coastline: 539 km Capital: Accra The Republic of Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, is a West African country lying on the Gulf of Guinea. It is surrounded (clockwise, from the west) by Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo. Ghana has ten regions: Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Western. After Greater Accra, Ashanti is the most populated region; Upper West, the least. Constitution Status: Republic with executive President Legislature: Parliament of Ghana Independence: 6 March 1957 A new constitution, based on the US model, was approved by national referendum in April 1992. Ghana is a unitary republic with an executive presidency and a multiparty political system. The national legislature is the unicameral Parliament, whose 275 members are elected by universal adult suffrage every four years. Parliament was enlarged from 230 to 275 members before the elections of 7–8 December 2012. The President, who is Head of State and commander-inchief of the armed forces, is elected by universal suffrage for a maximum of two four-year terms. If no presidential candidate receives more than 50 per cent of votes, a new election between the two leading candidates must take place within 21 days. The President appoints a Vice-President and nominates a council of ministers, subject to approval by the parliament. The constitution also provides for two advisory bodies to the President: a 25-member council of state, composed mainly of regional representatives and presidential nominees, and a 20-member national security council, chaired by the Vice-President. Ten regional ministers, one for each region, are each assisted by a regional co-ordinating council. There are 138 administrative districts, each having a district assembly, headed by a district chief executive. Regional colleges, which comprise representatives selected by the district assemblies and by regional houses of chiefs, elect a number of representatives to the council of state. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court of Ghana Ministry: Justice and Attorney-General The justice system is broadly based on English common law, and the law relating to personal relationships and contracts is rooted in Ghanaian customary law. The Supreme Court is Ghana Commonwealth Governance 164 Handbook 2013/14
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