Geographic Origins

The Republic of Ghana is in West Africa. It is bordered by the Ivory Coast to the west, Upper Volta to the north, Togo to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

History of Immigration and Settlement

African and Asian Ghanaians have immigrated to Australia since 1973 when the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act, better known as the White Australia Policy, was abolished.In 1984 Australia began taking a regular quota of African refugees, including people from Ghana. First arrivals were those selected by Australian immigration officials in Cairo, Egypt. Others came to Australia via Europe and Asia. For information on community activities and organisations consult the African entry.

Statistics

Ghanaians were first listed as a separate category in Australian census data in 1991.

According to the 1991 census there were 33 Ghanaian-born South Australians. Twenty-nine people said that their mothers were born in Ghana, and 38 that their fathers were.

South Australia had 2.5% of Australia’s Ghanaian-born, these numbered 37 in the 1996 census.

The 2001 census recorded 56 Ghanaian-born South Australians, while 36 people said that they were of Ghanaian descent.

The 2006 census recorded 132 Ghanaian-born South Australians, while 92 people said that they were of Ghanaian descent.

The 2011 census recorded 214 Ghanaian-born South Australians, while 138 people said that they were of Ghanaian descent.

The 2016 census recorded 319 Ghanaian-born South Australians, while 224 people said that they were of Ghanaian descent.