Independence: 6 March 1957 Capital: Accra

Area: 239,460 sq km

Population: 22,9 million

GDP growth rate: 6.2% (2006)

GDP by sector: agriculture 37%, services 37%, industry 25%

Major exports: gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds, petroleum and refined products, fertilisers

Major imports: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs

Trading partners (exports): Netherlands, UK, US, Spain, Belgium, France

Trading partners (imports): Nigeria, China, UK, Belgium, US , Brazil, South Africa, France

Source: CIA World Factbook