Global Peace Index 2019, Puts Ghana As 4th Most Peaceful Cointry In Africa

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Ghana emerges as the 4th most peaceful nation out of the 54 countries in Africa. This is according to the annual global report released on 12th June 2019 by the Global Peace Index, as the most recent world report findings.

Apart from focusing on Africa, the latest Global Peace Index report ranks a total of 163 sovereign states in the world. Ghana managed to be listed as the 44th most peaceful country in the World. This is a good reason for all Ghanaians to celebrate and continue in maintaining peace, which is a significant economic growth determinant.

Global Peace Index (GPI) 2019
Did you know that 2019 marks the year which witnessed the average "Global Peacefulness Index" increase for the first time in more than five years? According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), with it’s headquarter based in Sydney, Australia, the average world peace index increased with 0.09 percent. Even though this might seem like a minimal improvement, it represents a total of 86 countries which generally improved in achieving peace and 76 states that decreased in terms of peace.

Ghana Improves in GPI rankings
Compared to the last year's GPI Africa results, Ghana managed to move a notch higher to replace Madagascar as the 4th most peaceful country in Africa. However, on a global scale, the West African country moved down three ranks. Last year, Ghana was internationally placed at position 41. Currently, it is ranked at position 44 globally.

African Countries Ahead of Ghana (Mauritius, Botswana, and Malawi)

The three countries ahead of Ghana in Africa peace rankings include Malawi, Mauritius, and Botswana. At the helm of the motherland continent, Mauritius managed to maintain its first position as the most peaceful state. However, the country dropped down 4 spots on the international scale. Mauritius is globally ranked at no. 24 by GPI, beating some of the world superpowers that include United States of America, England, France, and Italy.

At the second position in Africa, Botswana managed to maintain its 2018 position as the 2nd most peaceful African nation. Just like Ghana and Mauritius, Botswana went down by a single place on the international scale. Botswana is currently ranked at 30th position. Unlike Ghana and the top two African countries, Malawi managed to become number three in Africa, and recording an increase in rank in terms of GPI nation rankings. Malawi increased by 4 ranks internationally from position 7 in 2018 to position 3 in 2019.

Ghana: The peaceful and happy country

Happiness is a result of peace and vice versa. Ghana has managed to record some of the top positions in terms of both peace and happiness. According to the 2019 World Happiness Report, the West African country took position 7. Internationally, it also improved in happiness position from the last year's position 108 to 2019's position 98. According to the 2019 World Happiness Report, Mauritius also managed to be the number one county in the motherland in term of happiness.

Back in the year 2000, Ghana took the number one position as the most peaceful country in Africa. 9 years later, it remains a top 5 position, as a sign that the citizens and the entire nation are naturally peaceful. This is evident, for example, through the two general elections that witnessed very peaceful power transitions compared to other countries in Africa. In terms of international relations, the West African country is also known for its friendly interactions and relationships with neighboring states that include Nigeria. Internally, the country has very minimal internal conflicts compared to the rest of the international countries.

How does GPI come up with the positions?

Ghana has been experiencing an increase in abduction cases as one of the anti-peace occurrences, but still managed to be at position 4. This can make some people wonder, how does the GPI come up with the country rankings? The GPI report is handled and produced by the Australian based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Unlike what most people assume, the report does not only dwell on peace as a secluded aspect of nations. It, however, focuses on peace by gauging its: Economic value, trends, and ways of developing peaceful societies.

Some essential facts about the 2019 GPI report include:
GPI research covered a total of 99.7% of the World's population hence reliability
A total of 23 Qualitative and Quantitative indicators are also used from trustworthy sources therefore accuracy

The 23 indicators are applied to three major thematic concerns. These include;
The level of Societal Safety and Security
The extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict
A nation's degree of Militarization

Most peaceful countries of the World
Iceland position 1 – For a total of 11 years, Iceland still leads as the most peaceful country for over a decade
Positions 2 to 5 were taken by Newezeland (2), Portugal (3), Austria (4), and Denmark (5)
The highest improved country is Bhutan. Ever since the first GPI study that was done 12 years ago, Bhutan has improved with 43 positions

Least peaceful countries of the World
Afghanistan is at the last place
Syria is the second last nation in the World a step higher from 2018 where it was last
South Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq follow at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th least countries

World least peaceful regions
The Middle East and North Africa
The two areas contain 4 of the 10 poor performing countries

Most Peaceful region
Europe

Ghana stands firm as the 4th most peaceful country of the 54 African countries. This is according to the 2019 Global Peace Index report that ranks the West African country at position 44 of the global 163 countries. As the GPI index increases with only 0.09%, Ghana and its citizens continue to maintain high peace standards, which is a crucial ingredient in improving the country's economy.

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