Abstract This paper examines Ghana's economy. Subsistence agriculture continues to be the most important sector of this West African country's economic structure and more than half of the work force is employed in subsistence agriculture, and these small landholders and their employees account for approximately one-third of Ghana's gross domestic product. The paper shows that as it is well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa, yet despite this productivity, the Ghanaian economy remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance.
Abstract This paper discusses troubled history of Colonialism in Ghana. It explores problems confronting the country today. The paper contends that despite recent turmoil, Ghana has the economic, social and cultural resources necessary to rebuild stable financial and political systems.
From the Paper "Known as the Gold Coast during colonial times, Ghana was one of the first African nations to receive its independence following World War II. The country is rich in natural resources but like many African countries ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how deforestation is affecting Orangutans' habitat and how without urgent actions to combat the deforestation, their extinction is imminent. The author examines the orangutan's habitat, deforestation in Indonesia, the current status of Orangutan habitat and gives various recommendations to solve the problem.
From the Paper "The rainforests, thriving in the tropical humid rain lines of the earth, is a heaven on earth for millions of species of flora and fauna of the world. The frequent raindrops through the year and warm climate around the equator have made variety of living species in the wildlife grow as swiftly as possible. The outsized canopy of hundreds-year-old bulky trees becomes the safe home of assortment of vegetation and animals to breed and make the invaluable treasures of the world.
As time passes by, human activities encroach deeper into the wood. The high demand of logs, papers and other wood products had increased; and human grasp into the forests to cut them off to fulfill the national economic calls. The rainforest no longer becomes a sanctuary for the populations of animal and plants inside."
Abstract This paper discusses the tropical deforestation issue through an eco-feminist approach, which suggests that there is a connection between the oppression of women and the oppression of the rain forests through deforestation. The writer discusses that indicators are used to demonstrate the impact that rain forest deforestation has on the environment including greenhouse gases and erosion of the atmosphere.
From the Paper "Environmental issues affect every life form on Earth from the smallest organism to the human race. A single disruption in the Earth's balance may lead to the permanent and complete destruction of the atmosphere. What is most critical at this point is to find alternatives to deforestation, especially due to the alarming rates of tress being cut. Should this rate continue to rise, the likelihood of unfavorable side effects is promising. Tropical deforestation is threatening the health of the human race through global climate changes and potential extinction of rare plants and species."
Abstract This paper uses pie charts and a photo of deforestation in Brazil to demonstrate the impact of tropical deforestation. The author points out that the rain forests help in regulating the world's climate and atmosphere. The paper relates that, with fewer rain forests, less carbon dioxide is being absorbed, which means that more heat from the sun stays locked up in the atmosphere causing the devastating greenhouse effects.
From the Paper "Tropical rain forests contribute to global climate regulation, oxygen and carbon dioxide production, the protection of soil erosion, and are the home to millions of species. Deforestation of tropical rain forests has contributed to global climate changes, in particular global warming and green house effects in the atmosphere. Tropical rain forests are being burned and cleared due to the increasing demand for farmland, industrialization and urbanization, infrastructure improvements (i.e. roads), and wood products (i.e. home building)."
Abstract This paper describes the history and causes of the deforestation of Ghana. The paper points to economics and greed as the primary causes of this deforestation and points out that, while there have been some attempts to protect the natural landscape of Ghana, the overriding poverty of the country makes it vulnerable to environmental exploitation as a means of boosting the economy.
From the Paper "According to Microsoft's online Encarta, in the 19th century, the southern half of Ghana was completely covered by hardwood forest, however, by the year 1995, such large portions of its forests had been destroyed, over logged, or cleared for mining, that only 39.7 of the entire country remains forested, with (during the period from 1990-1996) more than 1.3 percent continuing to be lost every year (Encarta)."
Abstract This paper looks at the recent history of Ghana and explains the series of events that led up to Ghana's independence in 1957. The paper specifically discusses the effects of colonization in terms of economic and social development and the cultural tensions and tribal divisions in the newly independent Ghana. The paper then looks at the current population and government and concludes that while Ghana is still very much a developing country, Ghana is significantly better off than its West African peers.
From the Paper "The country of Ghana was the first dependent African country to achieve independence. Various factors contributed to the effective push for independence. These factors included constitutional reform as a means by which to slowly erode British influence, the stirring of the masses by African political elites, and the general post-WWII concern over colonization and its destructive forces. Growing nationalist sentiment unleashed itself in the riots of 1948, though the consequences of such violence sent a message to the British and promoted a more controlled and systematic push towards independence. Under the leadership of Mr. Kwame Nkrumah, a bright and devoted politician, Ghana found its way towards independence through relatively bloodless means."
Abstract This undergraduate level paper on Ghana mainly focuses on the severe environmental conditions that prevail in Ghana. This paper also emphasizes on the factors, which have led to the decline of Ghana's economic development, environment, social relations and land use patterns. The structure of Ghana is also discussed in depth in this paper. This paper also highlights the programs and policies adopted by the Ghanaian government in order to combat the factors responsible for its present state and improve its economy and infrastructure.
Abstract This paper looks at the problem of AIDS in the sub-Saharan country, Ghana. It talks of when AIDS was first reported in Ghana, the implications of the disease for the future of the country, how its development in Ghana is different than that of other African nations, and what measures organizations within Ghana are taking in order to fight the spread of AIDS.
From the Paper "AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, has devastated much of Africa, hitting this continent worse than any other in the world. In fact, in the year 2000, 80% of the world's total AIDS-related deaths were within Africa. (BBC 2000) One of the areas hit the hardest by this virus has been the Sub Saharan region. Ghana, within that region, has also been ravaged by AIDS, but it has a significantly lower percentage of AIDS cases than much of the rest of Africa. While the AIDS within Ghana has many of the same causes and effects on the people who are infected with the disease, it is a unique situation within Africa because of its particular effects on the women of the country, and the fact that there are comparatively fewer AIDS cases within this country."
Abstract The paper looks at statistics on the extent of deforestation and identifies the broad and narrow definitions of deforestation. The paper then considers the pros and cons of microeconomic and regional studies and cross-national studies as methods of studying the tropical deforestation process. The paper goes on to explore the causes of deforestation, namely forest size, population growth, economic and debt service growth, agricultural growth, road development and level of democracy. The paper asserts that the solutions for deforestation problems of the global tropical forests must become the responsibility of every nation, since forests impact life on Earth for every single individual.
Outline:
Extent of Tropical Deforestation Definition of Tropical Deforestation Level of Tropical Deforestation Study
Causes of Deforestation Deforestation Solutions and Forestry Management Strategies
From the Paper "Tropical forests are valued for the direct economic benefits and for the host of intangible benefits bestowed upon society. These forests have a special role in the conservation of biodiversity. It is well known that tropical forests, which occupy a mere 13.54 percent of total land area (FAO, 1997), contain around 70 percent of all species (WRI, 1996). Many of these species are threatened with extinction (Myers, 1988). Tropical rain forests have as high as 700 tree species per hectares (ha.) compared to 1 to 5 tree species in boreal forests (Botkin & Talbot, 1992). The rich biodiversity of tropical forests is a source of genetic material for genetic engineering. Also, around 500 million people, including 150 million indigenous people, live in or at the edge of the tropical forests (Roper and Roberts, 1999). Most of them are fully dependent on the forests not only for their livelihood, but also for their cultural and spiritual traditions."
Abstract The paper examines Ghana's physical and demographic variables, socio-cultural background, legal and political affairs, economic variables, communication systems and transportation network. The paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of opening a subsidy in Ghana and recommends the American producer should definitely go ahead and open their new production facility in Ghana. The paper discusses several steps that should be taken in implementing this strategy for international expansion.
Outline:
Company Description
Country Variables
Strategic Recommendation and Implementation
From the Paper "Giam's Clothing is an apparel manufacturer which produces clothing articles for the American middle class. The company was founded in 1990 by current chief executive officer John Whitehouse. The middle size company has little over one hundred employees and an annual turnover of 1.5 billion dollars. The firm operates through a single location within the United States. This location is composed of two facilities: one for production purposes and one for administrative purposes, containing the offices of the CEO, the CFO and other business departments, including the Finance and Accounting or the Human Resource Department. Twenty people work in the administrative facility and one hundred in the production facility."
Abstract This paper explains that, because the forests of central America's western Pacific plains were cleared long ago for export crops and subsistence agriculture, the deforestation which has taken place in the last 50 years has been most severe in the lowland tropical moist forests of the Atlantic, or the Caribbean side of central America. The author points out that Panama has a wide range of environmental protection policies in place which are designed to address the impact of human habitation and land-use techniques and to emphasize environmental education and extension programs. The paper concludes that, because of the competition from multi-national businesses, which are not concerned about the environment, "green" businesses must develop effective business models to survive the rigors of the marketplace as well as the extremes of nature, which effect commercial forestation businesses. Many tables and charts. Annotated bibliography.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Deforestation and Agricultural Expansion
Background and Overview
Distribution of Panama's Forest Lands and Rates of Deforestation Land Use Changes
Causes of Deforestation Consequences of Deforestation Impact on Agriculture and Supply
Climate Changes
Human Health
Forest Management in Panama
Signs of Progress
The Economic Value of Forest Benefits and Services
Deforestation and Property Rights
Findings and Discussion
Panama's Environment and the Components of its Eco-System
Economical and Social Consequences of Deforestation in Panama
The Climate Affected by the Loss of Forests
Forest Policies and the Existing Instruments to Conserve the Forest Areas
Ecological Viability of a Business in the Production Process, Beneficiary and Commercialization
Business Contribution
From the Paper "As a result of the enactment of a land tenure system in 1962, some small farmers in Panama have managed to acquire some land; nevertheless, by late in the 20th century fewer than one-third of all farms were owned by the people working them. The most common agricultural products include sugarcane, bananas, rice, plantains, corn (maize), and oranges, and the commercial cultivation of these and other crops increased considerably during the 20th century. Livestock raising (cattle, pigs, and poultry) is an important and long-established economic activity, and beef and hides are exported. The country's largest cattle-raising farms are in the southwestern savannas-in Chiriqui, Los Santos, and Veraguas provinces. The provinces of Panama, Los Santos, Chiriqui, and Veraguas raise the most pigs, whereas Panama, Cocle, and Colon are the largest centres for poultry and egg production."
Tags: biodiversity, vanilla, climate, health, rights
Abstract This paper attempts to provide a precise, quantitative method to determine exactly how educated different subpopulations are in Ghana in certain sets of specific educational skills and how these measures may be used to suggest future allocations of public resources that might be employed to increase the level of education in the nation. The author focuses on how Ghana is developing by examining literacy and numeracy amongst the population.
From the Paper "How does a country make progress? The answers seem to be obvious on paper ? if difficult to effect in the world itself. Those of us who are citizens of the First World tend to believe that we understand what is required for a nation to "develop". But Blunch and Verner, in their study of literacy and numeracy skills in Ghana, demonstrate how complicated the idea of "development" is and how culturally specific.
That development should take different courses in different parts of the world should, in fact, not be a surprise to us at all. One of the problems of modernization projects has always been that there is a certain essential arrogance to nearly all of them because there is embedded in them the idea that every "backward" country could improve itself (i.e. become like the nation that is sponsoring the modernization project) if it simply applied itself."
Tags: literacy, numeracy, africa, imf, international, monetary, fund
Abstract This paper examines the disastrous effects of deforestation. The paper explains that deforestation is detrimental to all of the plant and animal species of the world, including humans. The paper associates deforestation with a host of negative consequences and states that it stands poised to threaten the future of life on earth. The paper discusses habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity as a result of deforestation. The moral objections to deforestation are presented in the paper.
From the Paper "Deforestation can also have more immediate affects. Clear cutting of forests has been connected to regional increases in mercury levels in lakes and drinking water (Box, 2003). The natural biologic cycles within forests commonly retain the mercury that is released into the atmosphere from coal power plants and incinerators. When the forests are destroyed this mercury is left behind to seep into the ground. This poses an immediate and glaring problem for any members of nearby communities. This remains a significant problem, especially in industrialized nations, who have been forced to adopt more expensive water treatment practices as a result."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that many developing countries around the world are faced with the dual-edged sword of a "brain-drain" of their healthcare professionals who seek better economic opportunities in other countries as well as healthcare infrastructures that require substantive improvements to bring them up to date. The writer points out that the Republic of Ghana is faced with this precise set of circumstances as it struggles to overcome the historic legacy of colonialism and the same economic and social developmental issues that have confronted many sub-Saharan African nations in recent years. One technique that has proven effective in recent years in facilitating the delivery of quality healthcare services to a wide range of consumers is the use of so-called "smart cards." The purpose of the proposed study is to consider the introduction of so-called smart cards in public and private health service delivery in the Republic of Ghana today. To this end, a critical review of the relevant peer-reviewed and scholarly literature is presented, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Methodology
Preliminary Review of the Literature
Background and Overview
Healthcare Issues Confronting Developing Nations Today
Smart Cards and Healthcare Delivery
Privacy Considerations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Many developing nations are faced with some enormous challenges and obstacles to development, particularly when it comes to the delivery of effective healthcare services. For instance, healthcare professionals have long emigrated from developing to developed countries in search of better professional and personal opportunities; in recent years, though, this trend has become even more pronounced. Chronic shortages of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare practitioners around the world have fueled the migration from less affluent to more affluent countries, but also between poor countries and between wealthy ones as well. As a result, there is a growing global labor market for all types of professionals in health care today. Moreover, the globalization of the health-care labor market has had a profound effect on the ability of many national health-care systems to deliver vital services to their citizens. The most dramatic impact is being felt in the least developed nations, where there has been a tremendous increase in emigration."
