If an award were given for the country with the friendliest people in Africa, Ghana would be a strong contender. For a country once dominated by colonial powers, Ghana retains a remarkable sense of self identity. The people have a long and rich cultural history to draw from, stretching back to the 13th century Ghana Empire from which the country draws its name. Even the forts and castles, the legacy of five centuries of European influence, seem less like ghosts, than players in her narrative. Ghana has received universial acclaim as being one of the more progressive democracies in Africa, and has earned an enviable reputation as one of the safest destinations on the continent.

Ghana is located in West Africa near the equator and on the Greenwich meridian, bounded on the North and Northwest by Burkina Faso, on the East by Togo, on the West by Côte D'Ivoire and on the South by the Atlantic Ocean.

Ghana is known for its friendly people and hospitality. Formerly called the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve Independence. Ghana's total area is 238,537 sq km (92,100 sq miles) with a population of about 20 million. The country has 10 regions: Greater Accra, Volta, Ashanti, Western, Eastern, Central, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper West and Upper East.