Ghana:
Ghana was the first African British colony to gain independence. Since that happened in 1957, there have been a number of coups, successful and unsuccessful. But Jerry Rawlings is still the president. A number of Ghanaians left the country and settled in places such as England and Canada; their remittances to relatives in Ghana actually represent a significant contribution to the economy of Ghana. About 70 per cent of Ghanaians live in the country and subsist as small-scale farmers. The poorest people live in the north, and the richest live in the coastal cities where there's an educated class who live fairly well. In fact, Ghana is known for its excellent schools and universities.
Not a lot of tourists go to Ghana, even though Ghanaians are friendly and easy-going. There are some good beaches, and some interesting old forts. A good portion of the forests have been chopped down, but five per cent of the land is officially protected.
Books: Black Power: A Record of Reactions in a Land of Pathos, by Richard Wright