POPULATION
The population of Ghana is 18.4 million, with 40.5 percent under 15 years of age. The country has an average population density of 78.9 percent of persons per square kilometre. Female population is 50.7 percent an the male population is 49.3 percent. With an annual growth rate of 2.6% per cent.

Most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the country, with the highest densities occurring in the urban areas and cocoa producing areas. The largest regions in terms of population are Ashanti (over 3.5 million), Eastern (over 2 million) and Greater Accra about (about 3 million). (Source: Ghana Statistical Service, January 2002).

THE PEOPLE

• Languages: Ghana's principal ethnic groups are the Akans (Twi and Fante-speaking), the Guans, Ewes, Dagombas, Gas, Gonjas, Dagabas, Walas and Frafra. Twi, Fante, Ga, Hausa, Dagbani, Ewe and Nzema are the major languages, but the official language of the country is English.
• Education: There are numerous grammar, secondary, basic, commercial, technical and vocational education institutions throughout Ghana. There are four universities: University of Ghana at Legon near Accra, the University of Cape Coast, the University of Science and Technology at Kumasi and the University of Development Studies at Tamale, as well as one University College of Education of Winneba. In addition, there are private and other specialised tertiary institutions in the county. A functional literacy programme has been initiated in Ghana, targeting illiterate adults.
• Health: Ghana has a reasonably good health service. All regional capitals and most districts have hospitals and clinics, and two teaching hospitals in Accra and Kumasi have facilities for treating special cases. Additionally, a number of religious organizations and private medical practitioners operate hospitals and clinics all over the country. Herbal medicine and psychic healing are also generally practised, and there is a special government Herbal Medicine Hospital and Research Centre at Akwapim-Mampong.
• Religion: The population of Ghana comprises Christians (43 per cent), animists 38 per cent), Muslims (12 per cent) and others (7 per cent). There is complete freedom of religion in Ghana.