Ghana has long been a trailblazer in African politics.
One of the first countries on the continent to win its independence, in 1957, the west African country led the way in ditching dictatorship for democracy in the 1990s.
Since then, it has been an example of relative political and economic stability in a highly unstable environment.
It has taken a big part in regional diplomacy and has proved a reliable ally for America and Europe, even as many of its neighbours have turned against their erstwhile Western backers.
