Any of a group of climbing plants cultivated in tropical regions; the starchy tubers (underground stems) are eaten as a vegetable. The Mexican yam (D. composita) contains a chemical that is used in the contraceptive pill. (Genus Dioscorea, family Dioscoreaceae.)
Ghana was the first country to adopt the pan-African colours. The star is known as the ‘lode star of African freedom’. Effective date: 28 February 1966.