Country statistics

Human Development Index: 145 out of 193 (UNDP, 2022)  

Average Annual Income: $2,340 (World Bank, 2023)  

6.9 million people are living in extreme poverty (Statista, 2024)  

Ghana, located along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, has a population of approximately 34 million people (Worldmeters, 2024), with the majority residing in urban areas in the southern part of the country near the Atlantic coast.  

The housing deficit in Ghana remains a significant issue, with over 1.8 million units needed to meet demand (Housing Finance Africa, 2021). Many homes suffer from poor construction, inadequate ventilation, cracked walls, and a lack of basic amenities such as toilets, electricity, and water. In rural areas, people often cook outdoors and walk long distances to access water. During the rainy season, flooding and structural damage frequently lead to homelessness and, in some cases, fatalities (Habitat for Humanity). In 2023 more than 26,000 people were displaced by floods in the South-East of the country (Relief Web, 2023) 

Gender-based violence is another pressing issue, with significant proportions of women reporting economic (13%), social (12%), and psychological (9%) violence (World Bank, 2024). Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, facing double the likelihood of experiencing sexual or physical violence. 

While Ghana has made notable progress in narrowing the gender gap at the primary school level, disparities persist at the secondary level, with female enrolment behind that of males. Rural girls face additional barriers, including limited access to education and healthcare. For instance, 79% of rural girls attend primary school compared to 86% in urban areas, and they are more likely to experience early pregnancies and child marriage (World Bank, 2024).  

Ghana also faces ongoing human rights challenges. In July 2024, the Supreme Court upheld a colonial-era law criminalising consensual same-sex conduct, and there are ongoing debates about the potential passage of an anti-LGBT law. These developments underscore the tension between economic growth and the protection of fundamental human rights, which remains a critical challenge for Ghana’s future development (WFP, 2023).