Early morning in the village of Bayerobon 3. The village is part of the Kuapa Kokoo cocoa farmers' co-operative, Bayerebon 3, Western Region. © Aubrey Wade (Panos)
In 1957, mineral-rich Ghana was the first African nation to achieve independence. However, soon after it fell victim to corruption and mismanagement. Following a series of coups, the constitution of April 1992 ushered in a new period of democracy, and Ghana has since had five consecutive free-and-fair elections. It is now seen as a model for political and economic reform in Africa.
Cocoa, gold and timber exports are an essential part of Ghana’s economy representing 48% of GDP and 90% of export earnings. Ghana is the world’s second largest producer of cocoa and the discovery of major offshore oil reserves in June 2007 is encouraging expectations of a major economic boost in the coming years.
As a result of 20 years of solid economic growth, Ghana has one of the fastest rates of poverty reduction in Africa although about a quarter of Ghanaians still live below the national poverty line.
The UK is Ghana’s largest bilateral donor, providing £99 million in 2008/09.