e 262,159; female 287,291) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.29% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 11.15 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 80.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 56.17 years
male: 54.18 years
female: 58.22 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.59 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ghanaian(s)
adjective: Ghanaian

Ethnic divisions: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%,
Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%,
other 8%

Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan,
Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 64.5%
male: 75.9%
female: 53.5%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form: Ghana
former: Gold Coast

Data code: GH

Type of government: constitutional democracy

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 compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Jerry John RAWLINGS
(since 3 November 1992); elected for a four-year term by direct
universal suffrage; the president can appoint a vice president;
election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA December 1996)
cabinet: Cabinet; president nominates members subject to approval by
the Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 29 December 1992 (next to be held NA
December 1996); results - opposition boycotted the election, the
National Democratic Congress wo