ction: @bbclysedoucet Thank you for your support Lyse and happy that you've enjoyed the view and the gathering :-) Original Tweet 1 day 22 hours ago
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
The BBC World Service Trust is the BBC's international charity. It uses the creative power of media to reduce poverty and promote human rights.
The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. As well as education, it runs programmes in the arts, science, sport, governance and English language.
Ghana country profile
Region: West Africa
Population: 23.9 million (UN, 2008)
Capital: Accra
Major languages: English, Twi, Dagbane, Ewe, Ga and several other indigenous languages
Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam
Terrain: Plains and scrubland, rainforest, savannah
Climate: Tropical
Background
Ghana’s economy is one of the most stable in west Africa and has experienced impressive growth over the last few years. In 2007 the World Bank put Gross National Income (GNI) per capita at USD$600.
Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in west Africa. Gold and cocoa production is particularly important to the export economy. The domestic economy continues to revolve around agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and employs about 55% of the work force, mainly small landholders.
In recent years, Ghana’s climate has become drier and more variable. Overall, climate conditions for rain-fed agriculture have deteriorated, with droughts, floods and storms posing a particularly acute threat. In a 2004 survey of internal migrants from north-west Ghana, the vast majority mentioned environmental reasons for leaving their homes.
Potential Impacts of Climate Change
Climate scientists predict that climate change will aggravate water stress in Ghana, with serious consequences: much of the country’s energy supply is dependent on hydro-power, and in 2007 a period of drought led to a 60% loss of power.
Climate change is also projected to increase food insecurity, threatening fishing-dependent areas with coastal erosion and flooding. As with all sub-Saharan countries, increased water stress and desertification caused by irregular rainfall in the north is expected to continue to threaten traditional agricultural activities, leading to increased migration and urbanisation.
(Sources: World Bank, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, WHO, CIA World Factbook)