Ghana, once known as the Gold Coast, was the first British colony to gain independence - which it did in 1957.  Covering an area of approximately 92,000 square miles, Ghana comprises around 75 ethnic groups - not the least of which are the Akan of the fabled Ashanti Kingdom, who account for nearly half of the population of 20.5 million.  English is the official language, but over 100 languages and dialects are spoken.  60% of the population are Christian, 15% are Muslim, and 25% follow traditional African belief systems.