|
Government and politics
|
Government: A parliamentary democracy at independence in 1957, followed
by alternating military and civilian governments. In January 1993,
military government gave way to Fourth Republic after presidential
and parliamentary elections in late 1992. The 1992 constitution divides
powers among a president, parliament, cabinet, Council of State, and
an independent judiciary. Government elected by universal suffrage.
Administrative Divisions: Ten administrative regions divided into
110 districts, each with its own District Assembly. Below districts
are various types of councils, including 58 town or area councils,
108 zonal councils, and 626 area councils. 16,000 unit committees
on lowest level.
Judicial System: Legal system based on Ghanaian common law, customary
(traditional) law, and the 1992 constitution. Court hierarchy consists
of Supreme Court of Ghana (highest court), Court of Appeal, and High
Court of Justice. Beneath these bodies are district, traditional,
and local courts. Extra judicial institutions include public tribunals,
vigilante groups, and Asafo companies. Since independence, courts
relatively independent; this independence continues under Fourth Republic.
Lower courts being redefined and reorganized under Fourth Republic.
Politics: Since mid-1992 political parties legal after ten-year hiatus.
Under Fourth Republic, major parties are National Democratic Congress,
led by Jerry John Rawlings, which won presidential and parliamentary
elections in 1992; New Patriotic Party, major opposition party; People's
National Convention, led by former president Hilla Limann; and (new)
People's Convention Party, successor to Kwame Nkrumah's original party
of same name.
Foreign Relations: Since independence, fervently devoted to ideals
of nonalignment and Pan-Africanism, both closely identified with first
president, Kwame Nkrumah favours international and regional political
and economic cooperation. Active member of United Nations and Organization
of African Unity. In 1994 President Rawlings was elected Chairman
of Economic Community of West African States.
Source: Data as of November 1994
The Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress has published
a series of volumes under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program,
sponsored by the U.S.
|
|
|
