Ghana
Ghana
- Capital
- Accra
- Population
- 31,072,945
- Region
- Africa
- Languages
- English
Ghana is home to the world’s largest artificial reservoir by surface area, Lake Volta, which covers approximately 3.6 percent of the country's landmass. This massive body of water was created by the construction of the Akosombo Dam in the mid-1960s to provide hydroelectric power for the aluminum industry. The lake's presence is so significant that it supports a vast inland fishing industry and serves as a major transportation artery for the region. Interestingly, thousands of hardwood trees were submerged during the lake's creation and remain standing underwater today, creating a unique underwater forest.
Currency
The national currency is the Ghanaian Cedi, identified by the ISO code GHS. The name 'cedi' is derived from the Akan word for cowrie shells, which were used as a primary form of currency in the region for centuries before the introduction of modern paper money and coins.
Flag symbolism
The flag features three horizontal stripes of red, gold, and green, colors that helped establish the Pan-African movement. Red represents the blood shed by those who fought for independence, while the gold stripe symbolizes the nation's mineral wealth, particularly its abundant gold deposits. The green stripe stands for the country's rich forests and natural agriculture. Centered in the gold stripe is a five-pointed black star, which serves as a lodestar for African freedom and as a symbol of the struggle against colonialism.
Emblem history
The coat of arms, adopted in 1957, features a blue shield divided into four quarters by a gold-edged green St. George's Cross. Within these quarters, symbols like a crossed sword and linguist staff represent local administration, while a castle and a cocoa tree symbolize the central government and agricultural wealth. At the heart of the cross sits a gold lion, signifying Ghana's continued link to the Commonwealth of Nations. The shield is flanked by two majestic eagles wearing Black Star medals and rests above the national motto, Freedom and Justice.