It's Independence Day!

By:Courtney

Today Ghana celebrates independence!

In honor of this day, I wanted to share with you some facts about Ghana.

Ghana Independence Day: 6th March 1957

 Ghana was the first black African country to gain independence on the 6th March 1957.  Dr Kwame Nkrumah was the first prime minister of Ghana and in his first speech said "Ghana, your beloved country is free forever"

Ghana is a beautiful country blessed with gold, diamonds, and many other minerals but what really makes Ghana special is its diverse and culturally warm atmosphere which touches and embraces everyone. Ghana is located in West Africa and is bordered on the north by Burkina Faso, on the west by Côte d’Ivoire, on the east by Togo and on the south by the Gulf of Guinea.  The capital of Ghana is Accra and is situated on the southern coast. Ghana was once a British colony and was formerly known as the Gold Coast.

General Information on Ghana 

Capital:  Accra (also largest city)

Population:  23 million (estimate 2008)

Area:  238,535 km/92,098 square miles

Official Language:  English

Languages of Ghana:  More than 250 languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana.  Nine languages have the status of government-sponsored languages: Akan, Dagaare/Wale, Dagbani, Dangme, Ewe, Ga, Gonja, Kasem, and Nzema.

Currency:  Ghanaian Cedi

Drives on the:  right

Calling Code:  233

Ghana is divided into 10 Regions:  Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Western

Motto:  Freedom and Justice

Anthem:  God Bless Our Homeland Ghana

Government:  Constitutional Presidential Republic

President: John Atta Mills

Vice President:  John Dramani Mahama

Our son is currently in an orphanage in Kumasi. He speaks Twi. (I have an app on my phone and I'm trying to learn some essential phrases!)

I cannot wait to see this beautiful land & more importantly my child's beautiful face!