Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. After a series of coups, a new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992.

Ghana is known for its fusion of the traditional and contemporary in its culture. Items such as colourful woven kente cloth and carved wooden stools take on ceremonial importance as they portray the history and traditions of the country. Among the major products are wooden sculptures and the talking-drums (ntumpane).

Ghana is situated on the southern coast of Africa and is bordered to the east by Togo, to the west by the Ivory Coast, to the south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and northwest by Burkina Faso. The grassy plain stretches inland from the coast while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. Beyond the forested hills of the north, the dry savannah and woodland carpet the area. Lake Volta is the largest manmade lake in the world. Ghana’s coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons.