8/9/2019 Ghana at 50

1/2

Ghana @ 50: Success or Failure?

In 1957 they gained independence from British Colonial rule

Positives of this:o Ghanas poverty rate has decreased:

o 1991: 57.1%o 2005/6: 28.5%

o They are on track to reach the Millennium

Development Goal of halving poverty by 2008,the actual target is 2015, they are well ahead ofthis

o They have improved their relationship with the USA, this has meant

that thousands of people from Ghana have been educated in theUSA

o It is now one of the top economic performers in Sub-Saharan Africa:

o Sustaining a GDP growth of 4% since the mid-

80s and in 2004-6 it was a 6% growtho Inflation rates have declined steadily during the

past decade, as well as interest rateso It has improved education in Ghana, by the new governments

introducing schemes that improve the ease of access, the quality ofteaching and learning and management efficiency

Basic Education consists of:

2 years in Kindergarten

6 years in Primary Education

3 years in Junior Secondary Educationo Tourism rates have increased

Negatives of this:o At first they were totally reliant on external trade; they exchanged

exports for imported manufactured goods from abroado Classified as a peripheral capitalist economy

o They have a labour force of 10.12 million people, but 56% of them

are still in agriculture, 15% in industry and 29% in serviceso They had many political issues when they first started their

independence

8/9/2019 Ghana at 50

2/2

Ghana 50 Years On

Since Ghana has become independent from the British Empire, they have hadmany struggles but many more significant improvements. The life of theGhanaians has got better in a variety of aspects. Although they had a difficultstart with the constant changing of the government and political parties of thecountry, Ghana has come out fighting strong, with many achievements.

Poverty was a huge issue within the country, especially when it was in the BritishEmpire. However, since they have had a stable government, the poverty rate hasdecreased dramatically. In 1991, the rate was 57.1%, by 2005/6 this haddecreased to 28.5%. This means that they are on track to reach the MillenniumDevelopment Goal by 2008; this goal aims to reduce poverty by 50% by 2015,Ghana is well ahead of this target.

Another factor that has improved is education. The new government hasenhanced the education system by introducing different schemes. These aim to

improve the ease of access, quality of teaching and learning and themanagement styles used. They have brought in a compulsory basic educationprogramme that consists of Kindergarten, Primary Education and JuniorSecondary Education, pupils then have the choice to further their studies inSenior Secondary Education and University. The USA has helped with initiatingthese schemes by allowing Ghanaians to be educated in the USA; this is becauseGhana has developed their relationship with America.

As well as social issues, Ghana has tackled some economic ones too. Theireconomy has advanced a little too, with their GDP growing by 4% since the mid-80s and by 2004-6 it was a 6% growth.

Ghana will still face many issues in the future. The main concern is the economyof the country and industrial sector it is working in. At the moment it is mainly inthe primary sector, with 56% of the labour force of 10.12 million people workingin agriculture. There is a larger percentage in services than in industry; this ismainly because TNCs are employing more people in cheaper areas in Africa toprovide the services they offer, such as call centres.

Overall, life in Ghana has improved quite a lot since the gaining ofindependence. However, there is still a lot to do in terms of developing,especially their economy. Their new education system should help to bring thisforward and improve their prospects of a brighter future. The government is on

the right tracks with the issue over poverty and this should also help theirdevelopment as a whole nation.