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Compare Benin (2003) - Ghana (2001)

Compare Benin (2003) z Ghana (2001)

 Benin (2003)Ghana (2001)
 BeninGhana
Administrative divisions 12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western
Age structure 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,668,817; female 1,638,291)


15-64 years: 50.7% (male 1,739,517; female 1,834,231)


65 years and over: 2.3% (male 67,504; female 93,130) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
41.18% (male 4,123,317; female 4,068,786)

15-64 years:
55.35% (male 5,455,577; female 5,555,278)

65 years and over:
3.47% (male 328,809; female 362,247) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001) cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber
Airports 5 (2002) 12 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
total:
6

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2002)
total:
6

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Area total: 112,620 sq km


land: 110,620 sq km


water: 2,000 sq km
total:
238,540 sq km

land:
230,020 sq km

water:
8,520 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Pennsylvania slightly smaller than Oregon
Background Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. He was succeeded by John KUFUOR.
Birth rate 43.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 28.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $377.4 million


expenditures: $561.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
revenues:
$1.39 billion

expenditures:
$1.47 billion, including capital expenditures of $370 million (1996 est.)
Capital Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government Accra
Climate tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Coastline 121 km 539 km
Constitution December 1990 new constitution approved 28 April 1992
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Benin


conventional short form: Benin


local long form: Republique du Benin


local short form: Benin


former: Dahomey
conventional long form:
Republic of Ghana

conventional short form:
Ghana

former:
Gold Coast
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States cedi (GHC)
Death rate 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 10.26 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.6 billion (2000) $7 billion (1999 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL


embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou


mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou


telephone: [229] 30-06-50


FAX: [229] 30-06-70
chief of mission:
Ambassador Kathryn D. ROBINSON

embassy:
Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra

mailing address:
P. O. Box 194, Accra

telephone:
[233] (21) 775348

FAX:
[233] (21) 776008
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN


chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656


FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
chief of mission:
Ambassador Kobena KOOMSON

chancery:
3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 686-4520

FAX:
[1] (202) 686-4527

consulate(s) general:
New York
Disputes - international two villages are in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Nigeria; in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved the boundary stones - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary none
Economic aid - recipient $342.6 million (2000) $477.3 million (1995)
Economy - overview The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms. Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 36% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders. In 1995-97, Ghana made mixed progress under a three-year structural adjustment program in cooperation with the IMF. On the minus side, public sector wage increases and regional peacekeeping commitments have led to continued inflationary deficit financing, depreciation of the cedi, and rising public discontent with Ghana's austerity measures. Political uncertainty and a depressed cocoa market led to disappointing growth in 2000. A rebound in the cocoa market should push growth over 4% in 2001-02.
Electricity - consumption 631.1 million kWh (2001) 5.573 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 400 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 376 million kWh (2001) 890 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 274.3 million kWh (2001) 5.466 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 14.2%


hydro: 85.8%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
26.82%

hydro:
73.18%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mount Afadjato 880 m
Environment - current issues inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification recent drought in north severely affecting agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2%
Exchange rates Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998) cedis per US dollar - 6,895.77 (January 2001), 5,321.68 (2000), 2,647.32 (1999), 2,314.15 (1998), 2,050.17 (1997), 1,637.23 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)


election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%


note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"
chief of state:
President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January 2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject to approval by Parliament

elections:
president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 and 28 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004)

election results:
John Agyekum KUFUOR elected president in runoff; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 56.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.6%
Exports NA (2001) $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds
Exports - partners India 25%, Italy 11.1%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.2%, Thailand 6.7%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.4%, Niger 4% (2002) Togo, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, US, France (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; 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
GDP purchasing power parity - $7.38 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $37.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 38%


industry: 15%


services: 47% (2002 est.)
agriculture:
36%

industry:
25%

services:
39% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6% (2002 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 9 30 N, 2 15 E 8 00 N, 2 00 W
Geography - note sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake; northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)
Highways total: 6,787 km


paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)


unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)
total:
39,409 km

paved:
11,653 km (including 30 km of expressways)

unpaved:
27,756 km (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
3.6%

highest 10%:
26.1% (1997)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Europe and the US
Imports NA (2001) $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Imports - partners China 30.7%, France 15.7%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2002) UK, Nigeria, US, Germany, Italy, Spain (1998)
Independence 1 August 1960 (from France) 6 March 1957 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 8.3% (2001 est.) 4.2% (1996 est.)
Industries textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001) mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing
Infant mortality rate total: 86.76 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 91.79 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
56.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2002 est.) 22.8% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 4 (2002) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 120 sq km (1998 est.) 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice Supreme Court
Labor force NA 9 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 1,989 km


border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km
total:
2,093 km

border countries:
Burkina Faso 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo 877 km
Land use arable land: 15.28%


permanent crops: 1.36%


other: 83.36% (1998 est.)
arable land:
12%

permanent crops:
7%

permanent pastures:
22%

forests and woodland:
35%

other:
24% (1993 est.)
Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Legal system based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31
unicameral Parliament (200 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 7 December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2004)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 100, NDC 92, PNC 3, CPP 1, independents 4
Life expectancy at birth total population: 51.08 years


male: 50.35 years


female: 51.84 years (2003 est.)
total population:
57.24 years

male:
55.86 years

female:
58.66 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 40.9%


male: 56.2%


female: 26.5% (2000)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
64.5%

male:
75.9%

female:
53.5% (1995 est.)
Location Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 200 NM contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total:
6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,484 GRT/18,583 DWT

ships by type:
petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 4 (2000 est.)
Military branches Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, Palace Guard, Civil Defense
Military expenditures - dollar figure $80.8 million (FY02) $53 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.7% (FY02) 0.7% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability note: both sexes are liable for military service


males age 15-49: 1,597,562


females age 15-49: 1,536,036 (2003 est.)
males age 15-49:
4,890,483 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 805,603


females age 15-49: 809,961 (2003 est.)
males age 15-49:
2,713,584 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 75,021


females: 78,998 (2003 est.)
males:
213,237 (2001 est.)
National holiday National Day, 1 August (1960) Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
Nationality noun: Beninese (singular and plural)


adjective: Beninese
noun:
Ghanaian(s)

adjective:
Ghanaian
Natural hazards hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March dry, dusty, harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts
Natural resources small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - 0 km
Political parties and leaders African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and 4 other small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]


note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA, chairman]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary]; New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman]; People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 7,041,490


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)
19,894,014

note:
estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 37% (2001 est.) 31.4% (1992 est.)
Population growth rate 2.95% (2003 est.) 1.79% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Cotonou, Porto-Novo Takoradi, Tema
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000) AM 0, FM 18, shortwave 3 (1999)
Radios - 4.4 million (1997)
Railways total: 578 km


narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
total:
953 km (undergoing major rehabilitation)

narrow gauge:
953 km 1.067-m gauge (32 km double track) (1997 est.)
Religions indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20% indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.91 male(s)/female

total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable
general assessment:
poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is underway

domestic:
primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed

international:
satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors
Telephones - main lines in use 51,000 (2000) 200,000 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 55,500 (2000) 30,000 (yearend 1998)
Television broadcast stations 1;; (2001) 11 (1999)
Terrain mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Total fertility rate 6.04 children born/woman (2003 est.) 3.82 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 20% (1997 est.)
Waterways streams navigable along small sections, important only locally 1,293 km

note:
Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways
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