a republic in W Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea: a powerful empire from the 4th to the 13th centuries; a major source of gold and slaves for Europeans after 1471; British colony of the Gold Coast established in 1874; united with British Togoland in 1957 and became a republic and a member of the Commonwealth in 1960. Official language: English. Religions: Christian majority; Muslim and animist minorities. Currency: cedi. Capital: Accra. Pop: 28 833 629 (2017 est). Area: 238 539 sq km (92 100 sq miles)