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Togo vs. Ghana

Introduction

TogoGhana
BackgroundFrom the 11th to the 16th centuries, various ethnic groups settled the Togo region. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the coastal region became a major slave trading center and the surrounding region  took on the name of "The Slave Coast." In 1884, Germany declared a region including present-day Togo as a protectorate called Togoland. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. French Togoland became Togo upon independence in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967 and its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. Since 2007, President GNASSINGBE has started the country along a gradual path to democratic reform. Togo has since held multiple presidential and legislative elections deemed generally free and fair by international observers. Despite those positive moves, political reconciliation has moved slowly, and the country experiences periodic outbursts of violent protest by frustrated citizens. Recent constitutional changes to institute a runoff system in presidential elections and establish term limits has done little to reduce the resentment many Togolese feel after over 50 years of one-family rule.Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS of the National Democratic Congress won the 2008 presidential election and took over as head of state. MILLS died in July 2012 and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election. In 2016, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO of the NPP defeated MAHAMA, marking the third time that Ghana's presidency has changed parties since the return to democracy.

Geography

TogoGhana
LocationWestern Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and GhanaWestern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Geographic coordinates8 00 N, 1 10 E8 00 N, 2 00 W
Map referencesAfricaAfrica
Areatotal: 56,785 sq km

land: 54,385 sq km

water: 2,400 sq km
total: 238,533 sq km

land: 227,533 sq km

water: 11,000 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than West Virginiaslightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundariestotal: 1,880 km

border countries (3): Benin 651 km, Burkina Faso 131 km, Ghana 1098 km
total: 2,420 km

border countries (3): Burkina Faso 602 km, Cote d'Ivoire 720 km, Togo 1098 km
Coastline56 km539 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 30 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm
Climatetropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in northtropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Terraingently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshesmostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Elevation extremeshighest point: Mont Agou 986 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 236 m
highest point: Mount Afadjato 885 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 190 m
Natural resourcesphosphates, limestone, marble, arable landgold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Land useagricultural land: 67.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 45.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 18.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 4.9% (2018 est.)

other: 27.7% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 69.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 11.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 36.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 21.2% (2018 est.)

other: 9.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land70 sq km (2012)340 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardshot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughtsdry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds from January to March; droughts
Environment - current issuesdeforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; very little rain forest still present and what remains is highly degraded; desertification; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areasrecurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threaten wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - notethe country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savannaLake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake (manmade reservoir) by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi); the lake was created following the completion of the Akosombo Dam in 1965, which holds back the White Volta and Black Volta Rivers
Total renewable water resources14.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)56.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionone of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution mappopulation is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations being on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map

Demographics

TogoGhana
Population8,283,189 (July 2021 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
32,372,889 (July 2021 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Age structure0-14 years: 39.73% (male 1,716,667/female 1,703,230)

15-24 years: 19.03% (male 817,093/female 820,971)

25-54 years: 33.26% (male 1,423,554/female 1,439,380)

55-64 years: 4.42% (male 179,779/female 200,392)

65 years and over: 3.57% (male 132,304/female 175,074) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 37.44% (male 5,524,932/female 5,460,943)

15-24 years: 18.64% (male 2,717,481/female 2,752,601)

25-54 years: 34.27% (male 4,875,985/female 5,177,959)

55-64 years: 5.21% (male 743,757/female 784,517)

65 years and over: 4.44% (male 598,387/female 703,686) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 20 years

male: 19.7 years

female: 20.3 years (2020 est.)
total: 21.4 years

male: 21 years

female: 21.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate2.51% (2021 est.)2.26% (2021 est.)
Birth rate32.34 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)29.08 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.39 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-1.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 42.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 33.33 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 36.86 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 70.99 years

male: 68.37 years

female: 73.69 years (2021 est.)
total population: 69.01 years

male: 67.33 years

female: 70.74 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate4.28 children born/woman (2021 est.)3.71 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate2% (2020 est.)1.7% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Togolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Togolese
noun: Ghanaian(s)

adjective: Ghanaian
Ethnic groupsAdja-Ewe/Mina 42.4%, Kabye/Tem 25.9%, Para-Gourma/Akan 17.1%, Akposso/Akebu 4.1%, Ana-Ife 3.2%, other Togolese 1.7%, foreigners 5.2%, no response 0.4% (2013-14 est.)

note: Togo has an estimated 37 ethnic groups
Akan 47.5%, Mole-Dagbon 16.6%, Ewe 13.9%, Ga-Dangme 7.4%, Gurma 5.7%, Guan 3.7%, Grusi 2.5%, Mande 1.1%, other 1.4% (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS110,000 (2020 est.)350,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsChristian 42.3%, folk religion 36.9%, Muslim 14%, Hindu <1%, Buddhist <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, none 6.2% (2020 est.)Christian 71.2% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 28.3%, Protestant 18.4%, Catholic 13.1%, other 11.4%), Muslim 17.6%, traditional 5.2%, other 0.8%, none 5.2% (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths3,000 (2020 est.)13,000 (2020 est.)
LanguagesFrench (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)Asante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron (Brong) 4.9%, Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.9%, Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1%, other 31.2% (2010 est.)

note: English is the official language
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 63.7%

male: 77.3%

female: 51.2% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.6%

male: 82%

female: 71.4% (2015)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies

respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies

respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 13 years

male: 14 years

female: 12 years (2017)
total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2019)
Education expenditures5.4% of GDP (2018)4% of GDP (2018)
Urbanizationurban population: 43.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 3.6% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 58% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 92.3% of population

rural: 56% of population

total: 70.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population

rural: 44% of population

total: 29.1% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 97.4% of population

rural: 80.6% of population

total: 89.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population

rural: 19.4% of population

total: 10.1% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 80.4% of population

rural: 16.2% of population

total: 41.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 19.6% of population

rural: 83.8% of population

total: 57.4% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 84.2% of population

rural: 49.5% of population

total: 68.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 15.8% of population

rural: 50.5% of population

total: 31.3% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population1.874 million LOME (capital) (2021)3.390 million Kumasi, 2.557 million ACCRA (capital), 991,000 Sekondi Takoradi (2021)
Maternal mortality rate396 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)308 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight15.2% (2017)12.6% (2017/18)
Health expenditures6.2% (2017)3.5% (2018)
Physicians density0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2018)0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)0.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate8.4% (2016)10.9% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth20.9 years (2013/14 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
20.7 years (2014 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Demographic profile

Togo's population is estimated to have grown to four times its size between 1960 and 2010. With nearly 60% of its populace under the age of 25 and a high annual growth rate attributed largely to high fertility, Togo's population is likely to continue to expand for the foreseeable future. Reducing fertility, boosting job creation, and improving education will be essential to reducing the country's high poverty rate. In 2008, Togo eliminated primary school enrollment fees, leading to higher enrollment but increased pressure on limited classroom space, teachers, and materials. Togo has a good chance of achieving universal primary education, but educational quality, the underrepresentation of girls, and the low rate of enrollment in secondary and tertiary schools remain concerns.

Togo is both a country of emigration and asylum. In the early 1990s, southern Togo suffered from the economic decline of the phosphate sector and ethnic and political repression at the hands of dictator Gnassingbe EYADEMA and his northern, Kabye-dominated administration. The turmoil led 300,000 to 350,000 predominantly southern Togolese to flee to Benin and Ghana, with most not returning home until relative stability was restored in 1997. In 2005, another outflow of 40,000 Togolese to Benin and Ghana occurred when violence broke out between the opposition and security forces over the disputed election of EYADEMA's son Faure GNASSINGBE to the presidency. About half of the refugees reluctantly returned home in 2006, many still fearing for their safety. Despite ethnic tensions and periods of political unrest, Togo in September 2017 was home to more than 9,600 refugees from Ghana.

Ghana has a young age structure, with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25. Its total fertility rate fell significantly during the 1980s and 1990s but has stalled at around four children per woman for the last few years. Fertility remains higher in the northern region than the Greater Accra region. On average, desired fertility has remained stable for several years; urban dwellers want fewer children than rural residents. Increased life expectancy, due to better health care, nutrition, and hygiene, and reduced fertility have increased Ghana's share of elderly persons; Ghana's proportion of persons aged 60+ is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty has declined in Ghana, but it remains pervasive in the northern region, which is susceptible to droughts and floods and has less access to transportation infrastructure, markets, fertile farming land, and industrial centers. The northern region also has lower school enrollment, higher illiteracy, and fewer opportunities for women.

Ghana was a country of immigration in the early years after its 1957 independence, attracting labor migrants largely from Nigeria and other neighboring countries to mine minerals and harvest cocoa - immigrants composed about 12% of Ghana's population in 1960. In the late 1960s, worsening economic and social conditions discouraged immigration, and hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mostly Nigerians, were expelled.

During the 1970s, severe drought and an economic downturn transformed Ghana into a country of emigration; neighboring Cote d'Ivoire was the initial destination. Later, hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians migrated to Nigeria to work in its booming oil industry, but most were deported in 1983 and 1985 as oil prices plummeted. Many Ghanaians then turned to more distant destinations, including other parts of Africa, Europe, and North America, but the majority continued to migrate within West Africa. Since the 1990s, increased emigration of skilled Ghanaians, especially to the US and the UK, drained the country of its health care and education professionals. Internally, poverty and other developmental disparities continue to drive Ghanaians from the north to the south, particularly to its urban centers.

Contraceptive prevalence rate23.9% (2017)27.2% (2017/18)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 77.1

youth dependency ratio: 72

elderly dependency ratio: 5.1

potential support ratio: 19.4 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 67.4

youth dependency ratio: 62.2

elderly dependency ratio: 5.3

potential support ratio: 17.1 (2020 est.)

Government

TogoGhana
Country nameconventional long form: Togolese Republic

conventional short form: Togo

local long form: Republique Togolaise

local short form: none

former: French Togoland

etymology: derived from the Ewe words "to" (river) and "godo" (on the other side) to give the sense of "on the other side of the river"; originally, this designation applied to the town of Togodo (now Togoville) on the northern shore of Lake Togo, but the name was eventually extended to the entire nation
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana

conventional short form: Ghana

former: Gold Coast

etymology: named for the medieval West African kingdom of the same name but whose location was actually further north than the modern country
Government typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Lome

geographic coordinates: 6 07 N, 1 13 E

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: Lome comes from "alotime" which in the native Ewe language means "among the alo plants"; alo trees dominated the city's original founding site
name: Accra

geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name derives from the Akan word "nkran" meaning "ants," and refers to the numerous anthills in the area around the capital
Administrative divisions5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes16 regions; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western, Western North
Independence27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)6 March 1957 (from the UK)
National holidayIndependence Day, 27 April (1960)Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1992, effective 14 October 1992

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one fifth of the National Assembly membership; passage requires four-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; a referendum is required if approved by only two-thirds majority of the Assembly or if requested by the president; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government cannot be amended; amended 2002, 2007, last in 2019 when the National Assembly unanimously approved a package of amendments, including setting presidential term limits of two 5-year mandates
history: several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993

amendments: proposed by Parliament; consideration requires prior referral to the Council of State, a body of prominent citizens who advise the president of the republic; passage of amendments to "entrenched" constitutional articles (including those on national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the branches of government, and amendment procedures) requires approval in a referendum by at least 40% participation of eligible voters and at least 75% of votes cast, followed by at least two-thirds majority vote in Parliament, and assent of the president; amendments to non-entrenched articles do not require referenda; amended 1996
Legal systemcustomary law systemmixed system of English common law and customary law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005) 

head of government: Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah DOGBE (since 28 September 2020)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 22 February 2020 (next to be held  February 2025); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 72.4%, Agbeyome KODJO (MPDD) 18.4%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 4.4%, other 5%
chief of state: President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (since 7 January 2017); Vice President Mahamudu BAWUMIA (since 7 January 2017); the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (since 7 January 2017); Vice President Mahamudu BAWUMIA (since 7 January 2017)

cabinet: Council of Ministers; nominated by the president, approved by Parliament

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2024)

election results: Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (NPP) 51.3%, John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 47.4%, other 1.3%
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (91 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed, party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 20 December 2018 (next to be held in 2023)

election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by party - UNIR 59, UFC 6, NET 3, MPDD 3, other 2, independent 18; composition - men 75, women 16, percent of women 17.6%
description: unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 7 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party (preliminary) - NPC 137, NDC 136, other 1, independent 1; composition - NA
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into criminal and administrative chambers, each with a chamber president and advisors); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the court president)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president appointed by decree of the president of the republic upon the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, a 9-member judicial, advisory, and disciplinary body; other judicial appointments and judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts: Court of Assizes (sessions court); Appeal Court; tribunals of first instance (divided into civil, commercial, and correctional chambers; Court of State Security; military tribunal
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 justices)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president in consultation with the Council of State (a small advisory body of prominent citizens) and with the approval of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Council (an 18-member independent body of judicial, military and police officials, and presidential nominees) and on the advice of the Council of State; justices can retire at age 60, with compulsory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals
Political parties and leadersAction Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yaovi AGBOYIBO]
Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development or ADDI [Tchaboure GOGUE]
Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]
Democratic Forces for the Republic or FDR [Dodji APEVON]
National Alliance for Change or ANC [Jean-Pierre FABRE]
New Togolese Commitment [Gerry TAAMA]
Pan-African National Party or PNP [Tikpi ATCHADAM]
Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP [Edem KODJO]
Patriotic Movement for Democracy and Development or MPDD [Agbeyome KODJO]
Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR [Abi TCHESSA]
The Togolese Party [Nathaniel OLYMPIO]
Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO]
Union for the Republic or UNIR [Faure GNASSINGBE]
All Peoples Congress or APC [Hassan AYARIGA]
Convention People's Party or CPP [Edmund N. DELLE]
Ghana Freedom Party or GFP [Akua DONKOR]
Ghana Union Movement or GUM [Christian Kwabena ANDREWS]
Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Henry Herbert LARTEY]
Liberal Party of Ghana or LPG [Kofi AKPALOO]
National Democratic Congress or NDC [John Dramani MAHAMA]
National Democratic Party or NDP [Nana Konadu Agyeman RAWLINGS]
New Patriotic Party or NPP [Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO]
People's Action Party or PAP [Imoru AYARNA]
People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]
Progressive People's Party or PPP [Paa Kwesi NDUOM]
United Front Party or UFP [Dr. Nana A. BOATENG]
United Progressive Party or UPP [Akwasi Addai ODIKE]

note: Ghana has more than 20 registered parties; included are those which participated in the 2020 general election
International organization participationACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Frederic Edem HEGBE (since 24 April 2017)

chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212

FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

email address and website:
embassyoftogo@hotmail.com

https://embassyoftogousa.com/
chief of mission: Ambassador Alima MAHAMA (since 7 July 2021)

chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520

FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527

email address and website:
info@ghanaembassydc.org

https://ghanaembassydc.org/

consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Eric W. STROHMAYER (since 11 April 2019)

embassy: Boulevard Eyadema, B.P. 852, Lome

mailing address: 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20521-2300

telephone: [228] 2261-5470

FAX: [228] 2261-5501

email address and website:
consularLome@state.gov

https://tg.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephanie S. SULLIVAN (since 23 January 2019)

embassy: No.24, Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra, P.O. Box 2288, Accra

mailing address: 2020 Accra Place, Washington DC  20521-2020

telephone: [233] (0) 30-274-1000

email address and website:
ACSAccra@state.gov

https://gh.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionfive equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; the five horizontal stripes stand for the five different regions of the country; the red square is meant to express the loyalty and patriotism of the people, green symbolizes hope, fertility, and agriculture, while yellow represents mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring prosperity; the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and Togo's independence

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents the country's mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
National anthemname: "Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)

lyrics/music: Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH

note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; this anthem was replaced by another during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992
name: God Bless Our Homeland Ghana

lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO

note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup
International law organization participationaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCthas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)lion; national colors: green, yellow, red, whiteblack star, golden eagle; national colors: red, yellow, green, black
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Economy

TogoGhana
Economy - overview

Togo has enjoyed a period of steady economic growth fueled by political stability and a concerted effort by the government to modernize the country's commercial infrastructure, but discontent with President Faure GNASSINGBE has led to a rapid rise in protests, creating downside risks. The country completed an ambitious large-scale infrastructure improvement program, including new principal roads, a new airport terminal, and a new seaport. The economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, providing employment for around 60% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton and other agricultural products generate about 20% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is among the world's largest producers of phosphate and seeks to develop its carbonate phosphate reserves, which provide more than 20% of export earnings.

Supported by the World Bank and the IMF, the government's decade-long effort to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Togo completed its IMF Extended Credit Facility in 2011 and reached a Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief completion point in 2010 at which 95% of the country's debt was forgiven. Togo continues to work with the IMF on structural reforms, and in January 2017, the IMF signed an Extended Credit Facility arrangement consisting of a three-year $238 million loan package. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased transparency in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors.

Togo's 2017 economic growth probably remained steady at 5.0%, largely driven by infusions of foreign aid, infrastructure investment in its port and mineral industry, and improvements in the business climate. Foreign direct investment inflows have slowed in recent years.

Ghana has a market-based economy with relatively few policy barriers to trade and investment in comparison with other countries in the region, and Ghana is endowed with natural resources. Ghana's economy was strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels, but in recent years has suffered the consequences of loose fiscal policy, high budget and current account deficits, and a depreciating currency.

Agriculture accounts for about 20% of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. Gold, oil, and cocoa exports, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. Expansion of Ghana's nascent oil industry has boosted economic growth, but the fall in oil prices since 2015 reduced by half Ghana's oil revenue. Production at Jubilee, Ghana's first commercial offshore oilfield, began in mid-December 2010. Production from two more fields, TEN and Sankofa, started in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The country's first gas processing plant at Atuabo is also producing natural gas from the Jubilee field, providing power to several of Ghana's thermal power plants.

As of 2018, key economic concerns facing the government include the lack of affordable electricity, lack of a solid domestic revenue base, and the high debt burden. The AKUFO-ADDO administration has made some progress by committing to fiscal consolidation, but much work is still to be done. Ghana signed a $920 million extended credit facility with the IMF in April 2015 to help it address its growing economic crisis. The IMF fiscal targets require Ghana to reduce the deficit by cutting subsidies, decreasing the bloated public sector wage bill, strengthening revenue administration, boosting tax revenues, and improving the health of Ghana's banking sector. Priorities for the new administration include rescheduling some of Ghana's $31 billion debt, stimulating economic growth, reducing inflation, and stabilizing the currency. Prospects for new oil and gas production and follow through on tighter fiscal management are likely to help Ghana's economy in 2018.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$12.904 billion (2019 est.)

$12.25 billion (2018 est.)

$11.674 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$164.64 billion (2019 est.)

$154.623 billion (2018 est.)

$145.509 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate4.4% (2017 est.)

5.1% (2016 est.)

5.7% (2015 est.)
8.4% (2017 est.)

3.7% (2016 est.)

3.8% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$1,597 (2019 est.)

$1,553 (2018 est.)

$1,517 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$5,413 (2019 est.)

$5,194 (2018 est.)

$4,997 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 28.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 21.8% (2017 est.)

services: 49.8% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 18.3% (2017 est.)

industry: 24.5% (2017 est.)

services: 57.2% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line55.1% (2015 est.)23.4% (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 27.1% (2006)
lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.6% (2019 est.)

0.9% (2018 est.)

-0.9% (2017 est.)
8.4% (2019 est.)

9.8% (2018 est.)

12.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force2.595 million (2007 est.)12.49 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 65%

industry: 5%

services: 30% (1998 est.)
agriculture: 44.7%

industry: 14.4%

services: 40.9% (2013 est.)
Unemployment rate6.9% (2016 est.)11.9% (2015 est.)

5.2% (2013 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index43.1 (2015 est.)43.5 (2016 est.)

42.3 (2012-13)
41.9 (2005-06)
Budgetrevenues: 1.023 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 1.203 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 9.544 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 12.36 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesphosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beveragesmining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate5% (2017 est.)16.7% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productscassava, maize, yams, sorghum, beans, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, cotton, groundnutscassava, yams, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, rice, cocoa, oranges, pineapples
Exports$1.862 billion (2018 est.)

$1.881 billion (2017 est.)
$13.84 billion (2017 est.)

$11.14 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, crude petroleum, electricity, calcium phosphates, cotton (2019)gold, crude petroleum, cocoa products, manganese, cashews (2019)
Exports - partnersIndia 16%, Benin 15%, Burkina Faso 6%, France 6%, Morocco 5% (2019)Switzerland 23%, India 17%, China 12%, United Arab Emirates 8%, South Africa 8% (2019)
Imports$2.911 billion (2018 est.)

$2.789 billion (2017 est.)
$12.65 billion (2017 est.)

$12.91 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, motorcycles, crude petroleum, rice, broadcasting equipment (2019)metal tubing, ships, cars, refined petroleum, rice (2019)
Imports - partnersChina 18%, South Korea 13%, India 11%, Belgium 10%, Netherlands 8%, United States 5% (2019)China 24%, Nigeria 22%, United States 5% (2019)
Debt - external$1.442 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.22 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$20.467 billion (2019 est.)

$17.885 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

617.4 (2017 est.)

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)
cedis (GHC) per US dollar -

5.86 (2020 est.)

5.68 (2019 est.)

4.9 (2018 est.)

3.712 (2014 est.)

2.895 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt75.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

81.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
71.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

73.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$77.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$42.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$7.555 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$6.162 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$383 million (2017 est.)

-$416 million (2016 est.)
-$2.131 billion (2017 est.)

-$2.86 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$5.232 billion (2018 est.)$65.363 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsMoody's rating: B3 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: B (2019)
Fitch rating: B (2013)

Moody's rating: B3 (2015)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 62.3 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 95.1 (2020)

Trading score: 63.7 (2020)

Enforcement score: 49 (2020)
Overall score: 60 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 85 (2020)

Trading score: 54.8 (2020)

Enforcement score: 54 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 9.5%

male: 12.3%

female: 7.4% (2017 est.)
total: 9.1%

male: 9.4%

female: 8.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 84.5% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 11.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -1.4% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -61% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 80.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 8.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 43% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -46.5% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving21.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

21.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

21.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
20.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

22.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Energy

TogoGhana
Electricity - production232.6 million kWh (2016 est.)12.52 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption1.261 billion kWh (2016 est.)9.363 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)187 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports1.14 billion kWh (2016 est.)511 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)173,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)6,220 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)104,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)660 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)22.65 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)914.4 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)1.232 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)317.4 million cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity230,000 kW (2016 est.)3.801 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels70% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)58% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)42% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)2,073 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption15,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)90,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)2,654 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports13,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)85,110 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 43% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 77% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 19% (2019)
electrification - total population: 85% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 93% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 75% (2019)

Telecommunications

TogoGhana
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 43,605

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 288,531

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 6,239,183

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 79.25 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 40,857,077

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132.15 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.tg.gh
Internet userstotal: 1,010,609

percent of population: 12.36% (July 2018 est.)
total: 10,959,964

percent of population: 39% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment: system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system; telecoms supply 8% of GDP; 3 mobile operators; 12% of residents have access to the Internet; mobile subscribers and mobile broadband both increasing (2020)

domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 77 telephones per 100 persons with mobile-cellular use predominating (2019)

international: country code - 228; landing point for the WACS submarine cable, linking countries along the west coast of Africa with each other and with Portugal; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie (2020)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment:

challenged by unreliable electricity, Ghana seeks to extend telecom services nationally; investment in fiber infrastructure enabled 600 additional towers to provide basic mobile services; launch of LTE has improved mobile data services, including m-commerce and banking; highly competitive Internet market, most through mobile networks; international submarine cables, and terrestrial cables have improved Internet capacity and reduced prices (2020)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 1 per 100 subscriptions; competition among multiple mobile-cellular providers has spurred growth with a subscribership of more than 134 per 100 persons and rising (2019)

international: country code - 233; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, MainOne, ACE, WACS and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South and West Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors; Ghana-1 satellite launched in 2020 (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 31,899

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
total: 58,518

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
Broadcast media1 state-owned TV station with multiple transmission sites; five private TV stations broadcast locally; cable TV service is available; state-owned radio network with two stations (in Lome and Kara); several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019)state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately owned TV stations and a large number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable

Transportation

TogoGhana
Railwaystotal: 568 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 568 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
total: 947 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 947 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
Roadwaystotal: 11,734 km (2081)

paved: 1,794 km (2018)

unpaved: 8,157 km (2018)

urban: 1,783 km (2018)
total: 109,515 km (2009)

paved: 13,787 km (2009)

unpaved: 95,728 km (2009)
Waterways50 km (seasonally navigable by small craft on the Mono River depending on rainfall) (2011)1,293 km (168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta) (2011)
Pipelines62 km gas394 km gas, 20 km oil, 361 km refined products (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Kpeme, Lomemajor seaport(s): Takoradi, Tema
Merchant marinetotal: 415

by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 7, general cargo 271, oil tanker 49, other 84 (2020)
total: 50

by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 3, other 41 (2020)
Airportstotal: 8 (2013)total: 10 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 2 (2019)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
total: 7 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 6 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2013)

under 914 m: 2 (2013)
total: 3 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 566,295 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 10.89 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 467,438 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix5V9G

Military

TogoGhana
Military branchesTogolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre), Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air), National Gendarmerie (2021)Ghana Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2021)
Military service age and obligation18 years of age for military service; 2-year service obligation; the military is an all-volunteer force (2021)18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate; no conscription (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP2% of GDP (2020 est.)

3.1% of GDP (2019)

2% of GDP (2018)

1.9% of GDP (2017)

1.8% of GDP (2016)
0.4% of GDP (2019)

0.4% of GDP (2018)

0.3% of GDP (2017)

0.3% of GDP (2016)

0.4% of GDP (2015)
Maritime threatsthe International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2020, there were 98 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a 24% decrease from the total number of incidents in 2019, it included all three hijackings and 9 of 11 ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2020, a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 95% of kidnappings worldwide; approximately 51% of all incidents of piracy and armed robbery are taking place off Nigeria, which is a decrease from the 71% in 2019 and an indication pirates are traveling further to target vessels; Nigerian pirates are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-002 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 9 January 2021, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea."

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2020, there were 98 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a 24% decrease from the total number of incidents in 2019, it included all three hijackings and 9 of 11 ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2020, a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 95% of kidnappings worldwide; approximately 51% of all incidents of piracy and armed robbery are taking place off Nigeria, which is a decrease from the 71% in 2019 and an indication pirates are traveling further to target vessels; Nigerian pirates are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-002 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 9 January 2021, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea."

Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Togolese Armed Forces (FAT) are comprised of approximately 9,000 personnel (2021)the Ghana Armed Forces consists of approximately 14,000 active personnel (10,000 Army; 2,000 Navy; 2,000 Air Force) (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe FAT's small inventory is a mix of older equipment from a variety of countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, Russia/former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US; since 2010, France is the leading supplier of military hardware to Togo (2020)the inventory of the Ghana Armed Forces is a mix of Russian, Chinese, and Western equipment; since 2010, it has received armaments from a variety of suppliers, led by
China, Germany, Russia, and Spain (2020)
Military deployments925 Mali (MINUSMA) (Jan 2021)150 Mali (MINUSMA); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 850 South Sudan (UNMISS) (Jan 2021)

note: Ghana has pledged to maintain about 1,000 military personnel in readiness for UN peacekeeping missions

Transnational Issues

TogoGhana
Disputes - international

in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River

disputed maritime border between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire

Illicit drugstransit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problemillicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US; widespread crime and money-laundering problem, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center; significant domestic cocaine and cannabis use
Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 8,391 (Ghana) (2021)refugees (country of origin): 6,398 (Cote d'Ivoire) (flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2021)

Environment

TogoGhana
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 32.71 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 3 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 3.06 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 31.95 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 16.67 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 22.75 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 140.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 6.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 76 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 299.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 95 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.07 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 3.96% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 3.51% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,109,030 tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 22,181 tons (2012 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2012 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,538,275 tons (2005 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook