FACTS ABOUT GHANA:

1. Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence Post-colonialism. It gained its independence on 6th March, 1957.

2. The currency unit in Ghana is called the Cedi. The word Cedi comes from a local word meaning a "cowry shell". Cowry shells (from sea snails) were once used as money in Ghana.

3. Ghana has an approximated population of 25.5 million.

4. Ghana has the total area of 238,533sq km (92,098 miles).

5. In the year 2007, oil was found of the Coast of Ghana. A daily production of 200,000 barrels, which could be achieved in about five years after commencement of production, could give Ghana a total revenue of approximately US$ 1.6 billion annually.

6. The name Ghana means "Warrior King" and harks back to the days of the Ghana Empire between the 9th and 13th centuries.

7. Ghana produces the second most cocoa beans in the world. But Ivory Coast is the first and leading production of the cocoa beans.

8. The Black Star in Ghana's flag was adopted from legendary Pan African leader Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, which had the Black Star Line Steamship Company.

9. Children in Ghana begins two years of kindergarten at age four. Therefore, all children ages 6-12 attend six years of elementary education.

10. In 1991, Ferdie Ato Adoboe of Ghana set a world record by running 100metres backwards in 13.6 seconds.
     In a nutshell, Ghana then called Gold Coast, was first seen by Portuguese traders in 1470. They were followed by the English in 1553, then the Dutch in 1595, and the Swedes in 1640. British rule over the Gold Coast began in 1820, but it was not until after quelling the severe resistance of the Ashanti in 1901 that it was firmly established. British Togoland,  formerly a colony of Germany,  was incorporated into Ghana by referendum in 1956. Created as an independent country on 6th March, 1957. Ghana, as the result of a plebiscite, became a republic on 1st July, 1960.