Country: Republic of Ghana

Population: 24.3 million (UN, 2010 estimate)

Capital: Accra

Area: 238,533 sq km (92,098 sq miles)

Main languages: English, Akan languages e.g. Twi, Fante

Main religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs

Life expectancy: 60 (WHO, 2009)

Literacy rate: Adult [15+] 67%, Youth [15-24] 80% (UNESCO, 2009)

Urban population (% of total): 51% (UN, 2009)

Population under 18 years: 10.7 million (UN, 2009)

Child mortality: 69 children in every 1,000 likely to die before 5 years (WHO, 2009)

Child nutrition: 14% of children below 5 years underweight (WHO, 2000-2009)

Number of children (0-17) who have lost one/both parents: 1.1 million (UNICEF, 2009)