The largest producer of gold in West Africa is Ghana. Ghana is known to have large deposits of gold and has been a major producer of the precious metal for many years. It is estimated that Ghana produces about 4.2 million ounces of gold annually, making it the 9th largest gold producer in the world. Gold mining in Ghana is a major contributor to the country's economy, and the industry employs thousands of people directly and indirectly. Ghana's gold mines are mainly located in the southwestern and western parts of the country, and the metal is a major export commodity for the country.