Government and Politics of Ghana

Government Type

constitutional democracy

Administrative Divisions

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

Legal System

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

Citizenship by birth: No Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana Dual citizenship recognized: Yes Residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2025); Vice President Jane NAANA OPOKU AGYEMANG (since 7 January 2025); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2025); Vice President Jane NAANA OPOKU AGYEMANG (since 7 January 2025); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 December 2024 (next to be held December 2028) election results: John Dramani MAHAMA elected president; percent of vote - John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 56.6%, Mahamudu BAWUMIA (NPP) 41.6%

Legislative Branch

unicameral Parliament (230 seats; note - increased from 200 seats in last election; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held December 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPP 128, NDC 92, other 10

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Political Parties

Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, general secretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA, chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman]; People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party [Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary]

Head of State

President John Evans Atta MILLS

Head of Government

President John Evans Atta MILLS

Cabinet

Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament

Elections

president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held 7 December 2008)

Election Results

John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president in election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 52.4%, John ATTA-MILLS 44.6%

Constitution

approved 28 April 1992

Independence

6 March 1957 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Fritz Kwabena POKU chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 consulate(s) general: New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES embassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accra mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra telephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348 FAX: [233] (21) 701-813

Capital City

Accra

Location

5 33 N, 0 13 W

Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

The name derives from the Akan word "nkran" meaning "ants," and refers to the numerous anthills in the area around the capital

Embassy Accra Address: The U.S. Embassy is located at No. 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra. Telephone: (233)-(030) 274-1000 Emergency after-hours telephone: (233)-(030) 274-1775 Facsimile: (233)-(030) 274-1362 or 274-1426

Military Branches

Ghana Army, Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force

Service Age and Obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate; no conscription; must be HIV/AIDS negative