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Sub-Saharan Africa
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to gain its independence, in 1957. In the decades that followed, the country was ruled by a succession of military governments. Repeated political coups were accompanied by a downward economic trend. Since the government introduced a process of far-reaching economic and social reforms in the early 1990s, a robust democracy has emerged and the economy has recovered. With the parliamentary elections in December 2000, Ghana experienced its first successful, democratic hand-over of power. Today, Ghana is regarded as politically stable and as an African role model in terms of its democratic system. Ghana acts as a key mediator in the region, and works towards peaceful conflict resolution. On 6 March 2007 Ghana celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence.
Ghana’s economy is traditionally dependent on the export of a few key products, of which cocoa has long been the most important. For decades, Ghana was the world’s leading producer of cocoa, and currently ranks second in the world. Since 2006, gold has taken over as the main export product, generating more than one third of the country’s export earnings. Even today, world market prices for cocoa, gold and other commodities play a decisive role in the country’s development.
Relations between Ghana and Germany
Germany and Ghana enjoy friendly relations in many different spheres. Around 50,000 Ghanaians live in Germany, which is a major trading partner of Ghana, importing mainly cocoa, timber and aluminium. Ghana’s main German imports are vehicles, machines and chemical products. Sport also forms a bond between the two countries, as many Ghanaian footballers play for German clubs.
Decentralisation, the promotion of agriculture and sustainable economic development are the three priority areas of development cooperation.
German Embassy

German Embassy in Accra
P.O. Box 1757
Accra
Ghana
Phone: +233 / 30 / 221 10 00
Fax: +233 / 30 / 222 13 47






