The Republic of Ghana was formerly known as the Gold Coast and lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the western coast of tropical Africa. Capital Accra Population 18.5 million (EIU mid-1998 estimate) Size 238,537 square km Languages English (official), Ga, Ewe, Fante, Hausa, Twi, Akan, Konkomba, Dagbani, Gonja Average life expectancy 59 years Infant deaths per 1,000 births 110 Literacy 76% male; 54% female Currency Cedis No of people per doctor 25,000 Spending on health per person US$15 per year Percentage of   population with access to safe water 65% Major exports Cocoa, gold, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium Total external debt US 6,202 million Communications 20 TV sets, 229 radios, and 3 main telephone lines per 1000 people Climate Tropical Time GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Places on the line Tema (part of Accra), Lake Volta, Yendi, Kete Krachi, Pushuga, Kpandai, Kpandu

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Sources: Economist Intelligence Unit, Ghana Country Profile 1999-2000 and 1998-99 - published by Oxfam GB, The World Guide 1999-2000, http://www.healthnet.org/