Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs: Ghana Summary
![Ghana [shutterstock]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210105004141im_/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ghana-e1555939737326-2500x1406.jpg)
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Accra, Ghana: Lincoln Community School Accra: 2020-2021 Fact Sheet
U.S. Relationship
U.S.-Ghana Relations
The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1957, following Ghana's independence from the United Kingdom. The U.S. and Ghana work together on various defense and law enforcement issues. The U.S. has enjoyed good relations with Ghana at a nonofficial, people-to-people level since Ghana's independence. Thousands of Ghanaians have been educated in the United States. Close relations are maintained between educational and scientific institutions, and cultural links are strong, particularly between Ghanaians and African-Americans.
U.S. Assistance to Ghana
U.S. development assistance to Ghana is implemented by USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and others. USAID-managed development assistance to Ghana has supported the country in improving the power sector, increasing food security, enhancing basic health care, increasing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaians. The West Africa Trade and Investment Hub, located in Accra, provides technical assistance to help small businesspersons to grow their businesses and access new customers in the U.S. and the West African region. The Peace Corps has a large program in Ghana, with volunteers working in education, agriculture, and health (including HIV/AIDS, malaria, sanitation, and nutrition).
Bilateral Economic Relations
Ghana’s economy is highly dependent on the export of primary commodities such as gold, cocoa, and oil. In 2015, the Government of Ghana signed a $918 million extended credit facility agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an effort to stabilize Ghana’s struggling economy. Ghana has successfully completed six IMF reviews since the program started. The U.S. is among Ghana's principal trading partners, with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching $1.7 billion in 2017.
![Ghana Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents the country's mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band [CIA World Fact Book]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210105004141im_/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/gh-lgflag.gif)