Editing Ghana (section)

==Politics==
{{main|Government of Ghana|Politics of Ghana}}
{{See also|Regions of Ghana}}
[[File:Ghana Parliament House – Ghana Supreme Court – Osu Castle.JPG|thumb| [[Parliament House of Ghana]], the Supreme Court of Ghana and [[Judiciary of Ghana]] buildings and [[Jubilee House]] is the [[presidential palace]].]]
[[File:Presidents of Ghana and of the 4th Republic of Ghana.JPG|thumb| First President of the Republic of Ghana [[Kwame Nkrumah|Nkrumah]] and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th presidents of the 4th Republic of Ghana [[Jerry Rawlings|Rawlings]]; [[John Kufuor|Kufuor]]; [[John Evans Atta Mills|Mills]] and [[John Dramani Mahama|Mahama]].]]
Ghana is a [[Unitary executive theory|unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[Liberal democracy|constitutional democracy]] with a parliamentary [[multi-party system]] that is dominated by two parties—the [[National Democratic Congress (Ghana)|National Democratic Congress (NDC)]] and the [[New Patriotic Party|New Patriotic Party (NPP)]]. Ghana alternated between civilian and military governments until January 1993, when the military government gave way to the Fourth Republic of Ghana after [[1992 Ghanaian presidential election|presidential]] and [[1992 Ghanaian parliamentary election|parliamentary elections]] in late 1992. The 1992 [[constitution of Ghana]] divides powers among a [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Ghana Armed Forces]] ([[President of Ghana]]), parliament ([[Parliament of Ghana]]), cabinet ([[Cabinet of Ghana]]), council of state ([[Council of State (Ghana)|Ghanaian Council of State]]), and an independent judiciary ([[Judiciary of Ghana]]). The government is elected by [[universal suffrage]] after every four years.<ref name="cs">"Government and Politics". ''[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html A Country Study: Ghana] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20120713070609/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ghtoc.html |date=13 July 2012}}'' (La Verle Berry, editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (November 1994). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]]. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html Lcweb2.loc.gov] {{Webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20120710004153/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html |date=10 July 2012}}</ref>

[[Nana Akufo-Addo]] won the presidency in the [[2016 Ghanaian general election|general election in 2016]], defeating incumbent [[John Mahama]]. He also won the [[2020 Ghanaian general election|2020 election]] after the presidential election results were challenged at the Supreme Court by flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama. Presidents are limited to two four-year terms in office.

The 2012 [[Fragile States Index]] indicated that Ghana is ranked the 67th-least fragile state in the world and the fifth-least fragile state in Africa. Ghana ranked 112th out of 177 countries on the index.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/failed_states_index_2012_interactive |title=Foreignpolicy.com – Failed States List 2012 |work=Foreign Policy |year=2012 |access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528161748/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/failed_states_index_2012_interactive |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ghana ranked as the 64th-least corrupt and politically corrupt country in the world out of all 174 countries ranked and ranked as the fifth-least corrupt and politically corrupt country in Africa out of 53 countries in the 2012 [[Corruption Perceptions Index|Transparency International Corruption Perception Index]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results |title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 |publisher=[[Corruption Perceptions Index|Transparency International Corruption Perception Index]] |year=2012 |access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528032608/http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cddghana.org/documents/Curbing%20Corruption%20and%20Improving%20Economic%20Governance.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510115831/http://www.cddghana.org/documents/Curbing%20Corruption%20and%20Improving%20Economic%20Governance.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2008 |title=Curbing Corruption and Improving Economic Governance: The Case of Ghana |publisher=Ghana Center for Democratic Development |access-date=1 June 2013 |page=5 |author=Agyeman-Duah, Baffour}}</ref> Ghana was ranked seventh in Africa out of 53 countries in the 2012 [[Ibrahim Index of African Governance]]. The Ibrahim Index is a comprehensive measure of African government, based on variables which reflect the success with which governments deliver essential political goods to its citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/interact/ |title=Mo Ibrahim Foundation – 2012 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) |publisher=Moibrahimfoundation.org |year=2012 |access-date=1 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530015728/http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/interact/ |archive-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> According to 2023 [[V-Dem Democracy indices]] Ghana is ranked 67th electoral democracy worldwide and 10th [[democracy in Africa|electoral democracy in Africa]].<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183458/https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of Ghana}}
[[File:Kofi Annan at OYW.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kofi Annan]], Ghanaian diplomat and United Nations Secretary-General 1997–2006]]
Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to ideals of nonalignment and is a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Ghana favours international and regional political and economic co-operation, and is an active member of the [[United Nations]] and the [[African Union]].<ref name="H. E. Mr. Ken Kanda">{{cite web |url=http://www.un.int/ghana/ |title=Official page of Nations Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations |access-date=20 May 2012 |date=20 September 2011 |publisher=United Nations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501042954/http://www.un.int/ghana/ |archive-date=1 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Ghana has a strong relationship with the United States. Three recent U.S. presidents—[[Bill Clinton]], [[George W. Bush]], and [[Barack Obama]]—and a Vice President—[[Kamala Harris]]—have made diplomatic trips to Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-26 |title=US Vice President Kamala Harris' full speech upon arrival in Ghana - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-full-speech-upon-arrival-in-ghana/|first=Kenneth Awotwe |last=Darko  |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329174643/https://www.myjoyonline.com/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-full-speech-upon-arrival-in-ghana/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Many Ghanaian diplomats and politicians hold positions in international organisations, including Ghanaian diplomat and former [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Kofi Annan]], [[International Criminal Court]] Judge [[Akua Kuenyehia]], as well as former President [[Jerry Rawlings|Jerry John Rawlings]] and former President [[John Kufuor|John Agyekum Kufuor]], who both served as diplomats of the United Nations.<ref name=cs/> The most notable among diplomats from Ghana is the Late [[Kofi Annan]], who served as the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In September 2010, President [[John Atta Mills]] visited China on an official visit. Mills and China's former President [[Hu Jintao]] marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, at the [[Great Hall of the People]].<ref name="Hu Jintao-John Atta Mills">{{cite web |url=http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg/fzs/gjlb/2999/3001/t755583.htm |title=Hu Jintao Holds Talks with President of Ghana Mills |access-date=4 January 2012 |date=20 September 2010 |publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627115536/http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg/fzs/gjlb/2999/3001/t755583.htm |archive-date=27 June 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> China reciprocated with an official visit in November 2011, by the vice-chairman of the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China]], [[Zhou Tienong]] who visited Ghana and met with Ghana's president [[John Mahama]].<ref name="Xinhua2011">{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/12/c_122269189.htm |title=Visiting senior Chinese official lauds Ghana for political stability, national unity |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=12 November 2011 |access-date=13 November 2011 |author=Deng, Shasha |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909155705/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/12/c_122269189.htm |archive-date=9 September 2013}}</ref> China recently became one of the top investing countries of Ghana, which predominantly focus on infrastructure, natural resources, and the [[Secondary sector of the economy|manufacturing sector]], have promoted economic growth, job creation, and technology transfer in Ghana. However, concerns regarding the sustainability of Chinese-financed projects, environmental impacts, and the lack of transparency in their investments call for a careful assessment of these collaborations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Assamah |first1=Daniel |last2=Yuan |first2=Shaoyu |date=2024-04-05 |title=Greenfield investment and job creation in Ghana: a sectorial analysis and geopolitical implications of Chinese investments |journal=Humanities and Social Sciences Communications |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1057/s41599-024-02789-w |issn=2662-9992|doi-access=free }}</ref> Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] met with Mahama in 2013 to hold discussions on strengthening the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and also co–chair a bilateral meeting between Ghana and Iran at the Ghanaian [[presidential palace]] [[Jubilee House|Flagstaff House]].<ref name="Ahmadinejad">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22733605 |title=Ahmadinejad: Iran's populist and pariah leaves the stage |access-date=10 May 2014 |date=4 June 2013 |publisher=BBCNews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414120427/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22733605 |archive-date=14 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ahmadinejad2">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22193136 |title=Iranian leader Ahmadinejad's West Africa tour defended |access-date=10 May 2014 |date=17 April 2013 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922183829/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22193136 |archive-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CPP welcomes President Ahmadinejad visit to Ghana">{{cite news |url=http://ghananewsagency.org/politics/cpp-welcomes-president-ahmadinejad-visit-to-ghana--59069 |title=CPP welcomes President Ahmadinejad visit to Ghana |access-date=10 May 2014 |date=18 April 2013 |agency=[[Ghana News Agency]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215634/http://ghananewsagency.org/politics/cpp-welcomes-president-ahmadinejad-visit-to-ghana--59069 |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana welcomed Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad">{{cite web |url=https://www.iafrica.tv/ghana-welcomed-irans-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad/ |title=Ghana welcomed Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad|first=Eddy|last=Adkins |access-date=10 May 2014 |date=17 April 2013 |publisher=iafrica.tv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213620/https://www.iafrica.tv/ghana-welcomed-irans-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad/ |archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad">{{cite web |url=http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/information/press-release/637-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-to-visit-ghana |title=President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad To Visit Ghana |access-date=10 May 2014 |year=2013 |publisher=Government of Ghana |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929200634/http://ghana.gov.gh/index.php/information/press-release/637-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-to-visit-ghana |archive-date=29 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana|Sustainable Development Goals]] (SDG) were integrated into Ghana's development agenda and the budget. According to reports, the SDGs were implemented through a decentralized planning approach. This allows for stakeholders' participation, such as in UN agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, academia, and others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghana .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform |url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/ghana |access-date=2020-09-21 |website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517021851/https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/ghana |url-status=live}}</ref> The 17 SDGs are a global call to action to end poverty among others, and the UN and its partners in the country are working towards achieving them.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sustainable Development Goals {{!}} United Nations in Ghana |url=https://ghana.un.org/en/sdgs |access-date=2020-09-21 |website=ghana.un.org |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918144931/https://ghana.un.org/en/sdgs |url-status=live}}</ref> According to the President [[Nana Akufo-Addo]], Ghana was "the first Sub-Saharan African country to achieve the goal of halving poverty, as contained in Goal 1 of the [[Millennium Development Goals]]".<ref>{{Cite news |title=SDGs implementation: Ghana will be a shinning example' – Akufo-Addo |language=en-GB |work=Graphic Online |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/sdgs-implementation-ghana-will-be-a-shinning-example-akufo-addo.html |access-date=2020-09-22 |archive-date=30 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430020854/https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/sdgs-implementation-ghana-will-be-a-shinning-example-akufo-addo.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Military===
{{main|Ghana Armed Forces}}
In 1957, the [[Ghana Armed Forces]] (GAF) consisted of its headquarters, support services, three battalions of infantry and a reconnaissance squadron with armoured vehicles.<ref name="Canada's Military Assistance">Kilford, Christopher R. (2010), [http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/1876/1/Kilford_Chris_R_200905_PhD.pdf ''The Other Cold War: Canada's Military Assistance to the Developing World 1945–75''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020150101/http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/1876/1/Kilford_Chris_R_200905_PhD.pdf |date=20 October 2013}}, [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]], Ontario: Canadian Defence Academy Press, p. 138, {{ISBN|1-100-14338-6}}.</ref> President Nkrumah aimed at rapidly expanding the GAF to support the [[United States of Africa]] ambitions. Thus, in 1961, 4th and 5th Battalions were established, and in 1964 6th Battalion was established, from a [[Paratrooper|parachute]] [[Airborne forces|airborne unit]] originally raised in 1963.<ref>Baynham, Simon (1988), ''The Military and Politics in Nkumrah's Ghana'', Westview, Chapter 4, {{ISBN|0-8133-7063-9}}.</ref> Today, Ghana is a [[regional power]] and [[Regional hegemony|regional hegemon]].<ref name="South America and West Africa">{{cite book |last=Kacowicz |first=Arie M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=itXKj0EY9zwC&pg=PA144 |title=Zones of Peace in the Third World: South America and West Africa |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7914-3957-9 |page=144 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404105201/https://books.google.com/books?id=itXKj0EY9zwC&pg=PA144 |url-status=live}}</ref> In his book ''[[Shake Hands with the Devil (book)|Shake Hands with the Devil]]'', [[Canadian Armed Forces|Canadian Forces]] commander [[Roméo Dallaire]] highly rated the GAF soldiers and military personnel.<ref name="Canada's Military Assistance" />

The [[military operation]]s and [[military doctrine]] of the GAF are conceptualised in the constitution, Ghana's Law on Armed Force Military Strategy, and [[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] agreements to which GAF is attestator.<ref name="Defence">{{cite news |url=http://www.mofep.gov.gh/?q=divisions/pbb/defence |title=Defence |work=[[Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (Ghana)|Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning]] |access-date=10 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201752/http://www.mofep.gov.gh/?q=divisions%2Fpbb%2Fdefence |archive-date=26 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana's Regional Security Policy">{{cite web |url=http://www.kaiptc.org/Publications/Occasional-Papers/Documents/no_20.aspx |title=Ghana's Regional Security Policy: Costs, Benefits and Consistency |page=33 |format=PDF |access-date=10 May 2014 |publisher=[[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508150900/http://www.kaiptc.org/Publications/Occasional-Papers/Documents/no_20.aspx |archive-date=8 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="KAIPTC">{{cite news |url=http://www.kaiptc.org/about-us/History.aspx |title=KAIPTC |work=[[Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] |access-date=10 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214613/http://www.kaiptc.org/about-us/History.aspx |archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> GAF military operations are executed under the auspices and imperium of the [[Ministry of Defence (Ghana)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name="Defence" /><ref name="Vision & Mission">{{cite web |url=http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=67&Itemid=101 |title=Vision and Mission of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) |access-date=10 May 2014 |work=gaf.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Armed Forces |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721032203/http://www.gaf.mil.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=67&Itemid=101 |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> Although Ghana is relatively peaceful and is often considered being one of the least violent countries in the region, Ghana has experienced political violence in the past and 2017 has thus far seen an upward trend in incidents motivated by political grievances.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acleddata.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ACLED_Conflict-Trends-Report_No.58-May-2017_pdf.pdf |title=Real-time Analysis of African Political Violence |date=May 2017 |publisher=Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613204214/http://www.acleddata.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ACLED_Conflict-Trends-Report_No.58-May-2017_pdf.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Law enforcement===
{{further|Law enforcement in Ghana|Crime in Ghana}}
[[File:Ghana Police Service Motorbikes.jpg|thumb|[[Militarized police]] Unit of the [[Ghana Police Service]]]]
The [[Ghana Police Service]] and the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] are the main law enforcement agencies, responsible for the detection of crime, maintenance of law and order and the maintenance of internal peace and security.<ref name="MINT">{{cite web |title=The Ghana Police Service |url=http://www.mint.gov.gh/police.htm |publisher=mint.gov.gh |access-date=1 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222320/http://www.mint.gov.gh/police.htm |archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> The Ghana Police Service has eleven specialised police units, including a [[Militarized police]] [[Rapid deployment force]] and [[Ghana Police Service#Marine Police Unit|Marine Police Unit]].<ref name="UNIT">{{cite web |title=Ghana Police Service sets up Marine Police Unit |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/323575/1/ghana-police-service-sets-up-marine-police-unit.html |publisher=modernghana.com |access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193158/http://www.modernghana.com/news/323575/1/ghana-police-service-sets-up-marine-police-unit.html |archive-date=2 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="POLICE" /> The Ghana Police Service operates in 12 divisions: ten covering the regions of Ghana, one assigned specifically to the seaport and industrial hub of [[Tema]], and the twelfth being the Railways, Ports and Harbours Division.<ref name="POLICE">{{cite web |title=Police Administration |url=http://www.ghanapolice.info/regional.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218115805/http://www.ghanapolice.info/regional.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2013 |publisher=ghanapolice.info |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> The Ghana Police Service's Marine Police Unit and Division handles issues that arise from the country's offshore [[oil and gas industry]].<ref name=POLICE/>

The [[Ghana Prisons Service]] and the sub-division [[Borstal Institute for Juveniles]] administers incarceration.<ref name="Ghana Prisons Service General Information">{{cite web |title=Ghana Prisons Service General Information |url=http://www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh/page-content?page=43393a37-a28e-4f1c-8540-e8eaf28825e8&menu=29899081-5de7-4bd0-8656-6473ac6f2c3e |publisher=ghanaprisons.gov.gh |access-date=31 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024072237/http://www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh/page-content?page=43393a37-a28e-4f1c-8540-e8eaf28825e8&menu=29899081-5de7-4bd0-8656-6473ac6f2c3e |archive-date=24 October 2013}}</ref> Ghana retains and exercises the death penalty for treason, corruption, robbery, piracy, drug trafficking, rape, and homicide.<ref name="Ghana – Death Penalty">{{cite web |title=Ghana – Death Penalty |url=http://www.handsoffcain.info/bancadati/schedastato.php?idstato=17000446&idcontinente=25 |publisher=handsoffcain.info |access-date=31 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020214250/http://www.handsoffcain.info/bancadati/schedastato.php?idstato=17000446&idcontinente=25 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Criminal Code and Courts">{{cite web |title=Ghana Criminal Code and Courts |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-5351.html |publisher=country-data.com |access-date=31 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515034443/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-5351.html |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The new sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations call for the international community to come together to promote the rule of law; support equal access to justice for all; reduce corruption; and develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.<ref name="DIPNote: Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in the Great Lakes">{{cite web |last1=Perriello |title=Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in the Great Lakes |url=https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2015/10/01/promoting-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions-great-lakes |website=DIPNote |publisher=US Department of state |access-date=20 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520085847/https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2015/10/01/promoting-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions-great-lakes |archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref>[[File:Drugtrade.png|thumb|Ghana is among the sovereign states of West Africa used by [[drug cartel]]s and drug traffickers (shown in orange).]]

Ghana is used as a key narcotics industry transshipment point by traffickers, usually from South America as well as some from other African nations.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade"/> In 2013, the UN chief of the Office on Drugs and Crime stated that "West Africa is completely weak in terms of border control and the big drug cartels from [[Colombia]] and [[Latin America]] have chosen Africa as a way to reach Europe."<ref name="DW Made for minds: Illegal drug use on the rise in Africa">{{cite web |last1=Gerra |title=Illegal drug use on the rise in Africa |url=http://www.dw.com/en/illegal-drug-use-on-the-rise-in-africa/a-16614023 |website=DW Made for minds |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=20 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314035220/http://www.dw.com/en/illegal-drug-use-on-the-rise-in-africa/a-16614023 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> There is not a wide or popular knowledge about the narcotics industry and intercepted narcotics within Ghana, since it is an [[black market|underground economy]]. The social context within which narcotic trafficking, storage, transportation, and repacking systems exist in Ghana and the state's location along the Gulf of Guinea makes Ghana an attractive country for the narcotics business.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade">{{cite web |url=http://www.gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/ghana-hit-by-illegal-drug-trade-1.1236396 |title=Ghana hit by illegal drug trade |work=[[Gulf News]] |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212171614/http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/ghana-hit-by-illegal-drug-trade-1.1236396 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if">{{cite web |url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2013/November-20th/ghana-could-be-taken-over-by-drug-barons-ifkwesi-aning.php |title=Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if |publisher=myjoyonline.com |date=20 November 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210062520/http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2013/November-20th/ghana-could-be-taken-over-by-drug-barons-ifkwesi-aning.php |archive-date=10 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Narcotics Control Board (Ghana)|Narcotics Control Board]] has impounded container ships at the Sekondi Naval Base in the [[Takoradi Harbour]]. These ships were carrying thousands of kilograms of cocaine, with a street value running into billions of [[Ghanaian cedi|Ghana cedis]]. However, drug seizures saw a decline in 2011.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade" /><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if" /> [[Drug cartel]]s are using new methods in narcotics production and narcotics exportation, to avoid Ghanaian security agencies.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade" /><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if" /> Underdeveloped institutions, porous open borders, and the existence of established smuggling organisations contribute to Ghana's position in the narcotics industry.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade" /><ref name="Ghana could be taken over by drug barons if" /> President Mills initiated ongoing efforts to reduce the role of airports in Ghana's drug trade.<ref name="Ghana hit by illegal drug trade" />

=== Human rights ===
{{see also|Human rights in Ghana|LGBT rights in Ghana}}
[[Homosexuality|Homosexual acts]] are prohibited by law in Ghana.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2016 |title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111064457/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |archive-date=11 November 2016}}</ref> According to a 2013 survey by the [[Pew Research Center]], 96% of Ghanaians believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society.<ref name="pewglobal.org">[http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ "The Global Divide on Homosexuality."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103034522/http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/|date=3 November 2013}} [[Pew Research Center]]. 4 June 2013.</ref> Sometimes elderly [[women in Ghana]] are accused of [[witchcraft]], particularly in rural Ghana. Issues of witchcraft mainly remain as speculations based on superstitions within families. In some parts of northern Ghana, there exist what are called [[witch camp]]s. These are said to house a total of around 1,000 people accused of witchcraft.<ref name="Camps">{{cite web |date=1 September 2012 |title=Ghana witch camps: Widows' lives in exile |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19437130 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020122329/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19437130 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |access-date=21 July 2018 |publisher=BBC News |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Ghanaian government has announced that it intends to close the camps.<ref name="Camps" />