Elmina Castle was built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is one of the oldest surviving European buildings outside Europe.
The Republic of Ghana
GhanaWestern Africa-4:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English
National CurrencyGhanaian cedi (GHS)
National Day(s)6 March (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalAccra
Economic CapitalAccra
Cultural CapitalKumasi
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 8 – 9 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportKotoka International Airport (ACC)
Primary PortPort of Tema
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline539 km
Highest PointMount Afadjato (885 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverLake Volta and the Volta River
ClimateTropical; warm and relatively dry along the southeast coast, hot and humid in the southwest, and hot and dry in the north
Border Countries
Cote d’IvoireBurkina FasoTogo
3Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
The Asante Traditional Buildings near Kumasi are the last surviving examples of the distinctive architectural style of the historic Asante Kingdom.
The craftsmanship of traditional Ghanaian Kente weaving was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.
Ghanaian Highlife music and dance were inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025.
Kakum National Park has a 333-meter canopy walkway made up of seven suspension bridges.
GhanaSat-1, Ghana’s first satellite, was deployed from the International Space Station on 7 July 2017.
Accra hosts the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, which was officially commissioned in 2020.
Ghana’s commercial cocoa industry expanded after Tetteh Quarshie returned from Fernando Po in 1879 with Amelonado cocoa pods and established a farm.
Lake Bosomtwe is Ghana’s only natural lake and lies inside a meteorite impact crater formed about one million years ago.
Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest wildlife refuge and is home to a significant elephant population.
The Homowo Festival of the Ga people literally means “hooting at hunger” and commemorates overcoming a historic period of famine.
Black Star Square was completed in 1961 and has become one of Ghana’s main venues for major national ceremonies and public events.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | GhanaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. John Dramani Mahama
Since January 2025
H.E. Prof. Dr. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Since January 2025
H.E. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Since February 2025
H.E. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
Since January 2025
H.E. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Since January 2025
H.E. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei
Since August 2026
Political Summary
Political System
Presidential Republic
Ruling Party
National Democratic Congress (NDC): Centre-left (since January 2025)
Main Opposition Force(s)
New Patriotic Party (NPP): Centre-right
Next Presidential Election
Expected in December 2028
Next Legislative Election
December 2028
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
43Organizations
30Member
0Founding Member
1Partner, Observer or Participant
12Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Ghana | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations25 Aug 198145 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Murad Al MandoosUAE Ambassador to Ghana · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Hammed Rashid TundeAmbassador of Ghana to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures7Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates7
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ghana Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Ghana | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | Negotiations launched; the first round was held in May 2026. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | - | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 18 Nov 2019.Entered into force on 21 Dec 2020. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | - | - |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Ghana | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateJul2026
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateMar2025
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Lydia Lamisi AkanvaribaMinister of State for Public Sector Reforms of GhanaFeb2026
- H.E. John Dramani MahamaPresident of GhanaFeb2026
- H.E. Samuel Okudzeto AblakwaMinister of Foreign Affairs of GhanaMay2025
- H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-AddoPresident of GhanaJan2023
- H.E. Dr. Mahamudu BawumiaVice President of GhanaMay2022
- H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-AddoPresident of GhanaMar2022
- H.E. Shirley Ayorkor BotchweyMinister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of GhanaMar2022
- H.E. Dr. Owusu Afriyie AkotoMinister of Food and Agriculture of GhanaFeb2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)4.6USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)33.5USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Ghanaian Companies in the UAE
Sewia Mining LtdPrecious metals, gold trading and refining
Major UAE Companies in Ghana
Mubadala Investment CompanyInformation and communications technology
DP World-
Masdar-
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chamber International Office
International Office(s)Accra, Ghana
Joint Business Council(s)-
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research