Global - Technology - Review

In 1957 Ghana became the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to win independence. After a number of coups and rebellions, the country has now achieved a degree of political stability. One of the country’s main exports is cocoa. Gold and oil are also important sources of income. Tourism continues to expand. Most of the country is flat, and there are areas of rainforest as well as savannah. There are several national parks with a wide range of wildlife. The capital, Accra, has many impressive public buildings. The coastal castles of the colonial era, some associated with the slave trade, have been designated World Heritage Sites. Elmina Castle was built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is presently being restored. Music and dance are important elements in the culture, as are the brightly coloured and patterned woven textiles seen in the national costume. Football is the most popular sport, and the national team has performed well in the World Cup. Lake Volta, created by the construction of the Akosombo dam, provides much of Ghana’s electricity and is the largest artificial lake in the world. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is a Ghanaian.