Republic of Ghana

Ghana is located along the Gulf of Guinea in the West Africa region. Ghana is bordered by the Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, Togo in the east and the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean in the south. Ghana’s terrain is dominated by grasslands mixed with south coastal shrublands and forests, with forest extending northward from the south-west coast of Ghana and eastward for a maximum of about 270 kilometres. The Kingdom of Ashanti or the southern part of Ghana is a primary location for mining of industrial minerals and timber.

The Ghanaian coat of arms features a sword used by chiefs, and a staff, used by the linguist (known as an okyeame in Akan), at ceremonies on the first quarter of the shield, on the upper left. The second quarter shows a representation of Osu Castle on the sea, the presidential palace on the Gulf of Guinea, symbolizes the national government. The third quarter of the shield shows a cacao tree, which embodies the agricultural wealth of Ghana. The fourth quarter shows a gold mine, which stands for the richness of industrial minerals and natural resources in Ghana.

The centre of the shield has a gold lion on a green St George’s Cross with gold fimbriation on the field of blue, which represents the continuing link between Ghana and the Commonwealth of Nations. The crest is a Black star of Africa with gold outline, upon a torse in the national colours. Supporting the shield are two golden Tawny eagles, with the Order of the Star of Ghana suspended from their necks. The compartment upon which the supporters stand is composed of a grassy field, under which a scroll bears the national motto of Ghana: Freedom and Justice.