In January 1993, military government gave way to the Fourth Republic after presidential and parliamentary elections in late 1992.

The 1992 constitution divides powers among a president, parliament, cabinet, council of state, and an independent judiciary.

Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to ideals of nonalignment and is a founding member of the non-aligned movement.

Ghana favors international and regional political and economic co-operation, and is an active member of the United Nations and the African Union.

These include Ghanaian diplomat and former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, International Criminal Court Judge Akua Kuenyehia, former President Jerry John Rawlings and former President John Agyekum Kuffour who have both served as diplomats of the United Nations.

Mills and China's former President Hu Jintao, marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, at the Great Hall of the People on 20 September 2010.