Locating Ghana: West Africa's Golden Coast

Where Is Ghana?

Ghana is a sovereign nation on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, just a few degrees north of the Equator.

Geographic Coordinates

• Latitude: 4°44′N to 11°11′N
• Longitude: 3°11′W to 1°11′E
• Prime Meridian: Passes through the eastern part of the country (near Tema).

Neighbors

• West: Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) — 720 km border.
• North: Burkina Faso — 602 km border.
• East: Togo — 1,098 km border.
• South: Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) — 539 km coastline.

Key Geographic Features

• Lake Volta: World's largest artificial lake by surface area (8,502 km²), formed by the Akosombo Dam; dominates eastern Ghana.
• Coastal Plain: Sandy beaches, lagoons, coconut groves.
• Forest Belt (South/Central): Tropical rainforest (now largely secondary), cocoa-growing heartland.
• Northern Savannah: Grassland, shea trees, lower rainfall.
• Kwahu Plateau / Akwapim-Togo Ranges: Escarpments running NE-SW.

Strategic & Historical Significance

• First sub-Saharan African colony to gain independence (1957, from UK).
• Major gold, cocoa, and oil producer.
• Stable democracy; regional leader in ECOWAS and AU.
• Port of Tema and Takoradi are key West African logistics hubs.