a & b)

a)

Difference between weather and climate

The weather is the condition of the atmosphere of a place at a specific time usually short period while climate on the other hand, is the average weather conditions of a place over a longer period usually 30 years and above.

b)

Elements of the weather and the instrument used to measure them

c)

Importance of rainfall

1. Agriculture: It enables farmers to grow their crops. It also helps the farmers to uproot their crops (tuber crops) as the soil becomes soft
2. Water for domestic and industrial uses: Rainfall enables us to get water for domestic (drinking, washing, cooking, etc.) and for industrial (cooling of engines, mixing of chemicals, etc.) purposes
3. Grass for animal feed: Rainfall enables animals to obtain enough pastures (food) to graze on. The animals grow fat during the rainy season when there is abundant supply of grass
4. Rainfall helps to cool the weather and maintain the vegetation green
5. Rainfall enables hydroelectric dams to run continuously so that there will be uninterrupted electricity supply
6. Provides water for use in the dry season (irrigation)

a)

Festivals in Ghana and the people who celebrate them

b)

Reasons why festivals are celebrated in Ghana

1. To honour the gods and the ancestors for their protection and ask for their guidance and blessings for the coming year
2. To settle family disputes
3. To plan community development projects and raise funds
4. To promote tourism: Some of the festivals celebrated in Ghana attract a lot of foreigners (tourist) into the country
5. To pay homage: Festivals bring people from far places to their hometowns to pay homage to their chiefs
6. To preserve and maintain cultural and traditional heritage

a)

The Poll Tax Ordinance of 1852 was a law passed by the British which made it obligatory for every citizen in the Gold Coast to pay one shilling every year as a levy to enable the government to provide amenities such as schools, roads, etc. and to pay workers serving them.

b)

Reasons why the Poll Tax Ordinance failed

1. The people discovered that part of the revenue was used to pay public servants
2. The people were annoyed because the collection of taxes was done by officials appointed by the British instead of chiefs as demanded by custom
3. Some of the chiefs did not want their people to pay the tax. This was because they felt that the British did not keep their promise to protect them from the Asantes
4. The chiefs failed to consult their people before agreeing with the British to pay the tax, hence their refusal to pay the tax
5. The people assigned to collect the money were not honest and they were keeping some of the money they collected to themselves
6. The people refused to pay because they learnt that it was to be paid every year

a)

Causes of desertification in West Africa

1. Deforestation: Felling of trees without replanting their seedlings
2. Over-grazing: Allowing animals to feed on a particular piece of land continuously
3. Bush Burning: Indiscriminate burning of the grassland
4. Soil erosion/the wearing away of the top soil by wind and water
5. Natural dry climate conditions which do not support the growth of some plants and trees
6. Poor farming methods such as continuous farming on a particular piece of land

b)

Measures that can be taken to control desertification in West Africa

1. Afforestation: Planting of seedlings to replace trees that have been felled
2. Education: People should be educated on the damages of bush fires and the need to create fire-belts before burning
3. Crop rotation should be practiced to check erosion
4. Good farming methods such as contour ploughing and terracing should be practiced to check erosion
5. Incorporate cover crops into the main crops
6. Preventing overgrazing by ensuring that farm animals do not feed on plants in one area continuously
7. Creating forest reserves by reserving forests that will be kept from human exploitation
8. Legislation: Making and enforcing laws that seek to preserve the forests

a)

Functions of the Executive Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

1. The secretariat is the administrative organ of ECOWAS
2. It undertakes research on behalf of ECOWAS
3. It submits periodic reports on the work of the ECOWAS
4. It is responsible for the proposing of policy measures on behalf of ECOWAS
5. The secretariat represents the Council of Ministers and the Summit when necessary

b)

Problems facing the ECOWAS

1. Lack of funds: Some member states ae impoverished to the extent that they cannot honour their financial obligations. They rely on donor countries for assistance with conditions attached to them
2. Language barrier: Because there is no common language, communication becomes difficult among member states. The countries have different official languages such as English, French and Portuguese
3. Dependent on colonial masters: Some states still receive economic aid from their colonial masters and their over dependence on these colonial masters makes them less committed to ECOWAS
4. Large community size: Decision-making is greatly hampered by the large size of the community. Currently, 16 member countries constitute ECOWAS, which is the largest economic community in the world
5. Lack of commitment: As a result of their association to other economic groups, some members do not show the required seriousness in the programs of the community
6. Absence of common currency: Absence of common currency for transactions among member states creates huge transaction losses for traders in the sub-region due to the cost incurred through exchange rates
7. Poor inter-transport and communication links: ECOWAS countries face problem with transport system to link other member countries for effective trading and marketing
8. Political instability (Military takeover): Military takeover/coup d'état in West Africa makes it difficult for ECOWAS to promote its policies and programs in all the member states