Ghana Government 1997

Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast

Data code GH

Government type constitutional democracy

National capital Accra

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

Independence 6 March 1957 (from UK)

National holiday Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

Constitution new constitution approved 28 April 1992

Legal system based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: President Jerry John RAWLINGS (since 3 November 1992); note - the presidentis both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jerry John RAWLINGS (since 3 November 1992); note - the presidentis both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet : Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approvalby the Parliament
elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for four-year terms;election last held 7 December 1996 (next to be held NA 2000)
election results: Jerry John RAWLINGS elected president; percent of vote - Rawlings 58.8%

Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (200 seats; members are elected by direct popularvote to serve four-year terms)
elections : last held 7 December 1996 (next to be held NA December 2000)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 126, NPP 65, PCP5, PNC 1, to be determined 3

Judicial branch Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA]; New PatrioticParty or NPP [Peter Ala ADJETY]; People's Heritage Party or PHP [Alex ERSKINE];National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong Kuman Kuman]; Every Ghanian LivingEverywhere or EGLE [Ashang OKINE]; Peoples Convention Party or PCP [P. K.DONKOS-AYIFL, acting chairman]; Peoples National Convention or PNC [EdwardMAHAMA]

International organization participation ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Designate Harry SAWYERS
chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520
FAX : [1] (202) 686-4527
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward BRYNN
embassy: Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra
mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra
telephone: [233] (21) 775348
FAX: [233] (21) 775747

Flag description three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with alarge black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which hasa coat of arms centered in the yellow band

NOTE: The information regarding Ghana on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Ghana Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Ghana Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.