3 quarters of the rainforest has been destroyed
for firewood, timber, land and to grow cocoa.
This is causing deforestation and the soil
becomes exposed and useless. People
cannot afford fertiliser to improve the soil
quality.
This means more smaller crops to eat and sell
Land is very important to people in
Ghana. But in the North land is turning into
desert.
This is causing desertification. This happens
because of drought, chopping down trees and
overgrazing.
56% OF Ghana's
workforce are farmers
Trading troubles
Ghana relies heavily on cocoa to earn money. The world
price less from this producetrice of cocoa is going up an
down. Some year Ghana earns
Many people in Ghana grow rice. But a lot cheaper rice is coming in
from USA, Asia and Europe. The rice then gets subsidies, as a result it
has put many Ghana's farmers out of business.
In the same way as the rice Ghana's chicken farmers cannot compete
with the frozen chicken coming in from Europe and the USA.
Unfortunately Ghana is not allowed to stop these imports and many
people think it is unfair. Many people think that poorer countries like
Ghana should have the rights to protect their farmers and fragile
industries.
Big debts
Ghana has borrowed a lot of money in the past so the country
has had to pay a lot of interest each year. This means there is
less money for development.
In 2004 Ghana was given a debt relief which means richer countries and
the world bank agreed to pay of over half its debts. However Ghana still
owes an enormous total of $2.6 billion.
Historic Reasons
They traded their
Gold for money to
the Europeans.
Each Kingdom had their
own language and
culture.
They sold at least 5000 slaves
to the Europeans every year.
Villages and families were torn
apart. This went on fro 150 years.
In 1957, they
gained
independence.
The Europeans
competed to trade
with them and by
1901, Britain had
taken over.
The British
shipped out, Gold,
Diamonds, ivory,
Pepper, Timber,
Corn and cocoa
British made the
people from Ghana
pay the taxes for road,
schools and hospitals.
Political Reasons
The army took over
the country for three
separate periods.
But now it is stable,
under an elected
government. People
say it will remain
stable.
Since the
independence,
Ghana has
suffered much
political unrest.