a)

Factors that led to the growth of the Old Ghana Empire

1. Excellent leadership: The kings/leaders provided effective leadership and administration, which was well structured
2. Trans-Saharan trade: The Empire controlled the trade routes between the salt and gold mines, which were the main commercial commodities. As a result, they amassed a lot of wealth (gold, salt, spices, clothes, etc.) through payments of taxes, duties and levies
3. Strong legal system: There were traditional courts that tried cases, settled disputes and punished offenders. This promoted the maintenance of law and order in the Empire
4. Geographical location/Flourishing Agriculture: The Empire was located close to the Senegal and Niger rivers. There was also good rainfall pattern. Hence they had enough water for domestic purposes, farming and fishing
5. Efficient taxation system: There was an effective tax collecting system which ensured that the government generates sufficient revenue to run the state
6. Powerful Army: There was a powerful and disciplined army that ensured the security of the state

b)

Factors that caused the fall of the Old Ghana Empire

1. Attacks by Muslim Raiders: It started losing power when Muslim raiders began attacking areas across the empire. The attackers' main goal was to convert as many people to Islam as possible, but they also wanted control of the salt-gold trade. This started weakening the empire
2. Growth of the Mali Empire: The Mali empire emerged gradually grew more powerful and richer. Consequently, the influence of old Ghana began to decline
3. Divisions/Breakaway sections: The empire continued to crumble as many smaller provinces began to break off to form their own kingdoms
4. Seizure of Koumbi Saleh by the Mali Empire: Finally, the Mali Empire, led by Soumaoro Kanté (Sumanguru Kantey), seized and captured the capital of the old Ghana Empire, Koumbi Saleh and brought it to an end

a)

Minerals mined in Ghana and where they are mined

Gold

1. Obuasi
2. Tarkwa
3. Bogoso
4. Prestea
5. Konongo
6. Kenyasi
7. New Abirem
8. Sekoti
9. Ayamfuri
10. Bibiani
11. Dunkwa-on-ofin
12. Namoorantenga
13. Dosi
14. Asonge

Diamond

1. Akwatia
2. Oda
3. Kade
4. Bonsa Valley
5. Ayamfuri

Crude oil

1. Cape Three Points
2. Takoradi

Salt

1. Ada
2. Accra
3. Keta
4. Ningo
5. Daboya
6. Apam
7. Elmina

Clay

1. Winneba
2. Vume
3. Oframase
4. Tanoso
5. Anfoega

Manganese

Nsuta

Limestone

Oterkpolu

b)

Ways in which minerals are important to the economy of Ghana

1. Job creation
2. Revenue generation for government
3. Income generation for employees
4. Foreign exchange earnings for the government
5. Development of communities/growth of towns
6. Improvement of the image of Ghana in the international community
7. Source of raw material for industries
8. Acquisition of skills
9. Provision of infrastructure and social amenities
10. Provision of scholarship
11. Creation of allied industries e.g. goldsmith
12. Attraction of foreign investors

a)

b)

Reasons for which Ghana enters into cooperation with other countries

1. Sharing of common ideas/technical co-operation
2. Fight common interests eg. hunger diseases
3. Settlement of dispute
4. Peace, unity and security
5. Co-existence/maintain friendly relationship
6. Energy supply
7. Common industrial and manufacturing projects
8. Common banking and insurance facilities
9. Improvement of transportation and communication network
10. Easy movement of goods and services
11. Wider markets
12. Promote culture solidarity and sports
13. Solicit financial assistance
14. Relief assistance
15. Military assistance

a)

b)

Problems facing the primary production industries in Ghana

1. Diseases
2. Pests
3. Poor road network
4. Transportation difficulties
5. Land tenure system
6. Rainfall vagaries/Unpredictable rainfall
7. Inadequate credit facilities
8. Inadequate storage facilities/post harvest losses
9. High lending rate
10. Traditional methods of extraction
11. Lack of ready market
12. Price instability
13. High cost of inputs
14. Inadequate protection form government policies
15. Inadequate labour
16. Competition from imported goods
17. Inadequate capital

a)

Environmental problems in Ghana

1. Desertification/Deforestation: This refers to the condition whereby the forest is destroyed together with the vegetation and gradually turning the land into a desert
2. Poor drainage system: This is mainly a problem in the cities and towns where the free flow of water is impeded and consequently, the stagnant water breed mosquitoes which cause malaria
3. Pollution: This is the release of harmful/toxic substances called pollutants into the environment. For example, fumes from factories, motor, vehicles and dust from sand winning sites pollute the air. Washing, bathing and defaecating into water bodies pollute the water bodies
4. Bush burning: Bush fires can wipe off whole vegetation, destroying the forest and farms. It can lead to loss of lives and properties. It may be caused by activities of farmers, palm wine tappers, cigarette smokers, hunters, etc.
5. Poor sanitation caused by random waste disposal and lack of maintenance culture

b)

1. Solutions to desertification/deforestation

i. Preserving and reserving of forests: Government and communities should embark on the creation of forest reserves and preservations
ii. Education: People should be educated on the causes and effects of desertification/deforestation
iii. Afforestation: Tree planting campaigns should be launched and encouraged all over the country

2. Solutions to poor drainage system

i. Waste Recycling: Plastic and other non-bio degradable wastes should be recycled as they are becoming nuisance to lives. They hinder the free flow of water in gutters resulting in flood
ii. Regular distilling of gutters: Groups and individuals should be encouraged to embark on regular communal labour to desilt gutters
iii. Discouraging putting structures on water ways: Construction of houses and similar structures on water ways should be discouraged as they hinder the free flow of water resulting in flood
iv. Education: People should be educated on the dangers of dumping refuse/rubbish/solid waste into gutters and the benefits of distilling their gutters

3. Solutions to pollution

i. Enact by-laws: Laws should be enacted to deal with culprits who pollute water bodies
ii. Provide chimneys: Factories should have tall chimneys to discharge smoke far and above the level of human settlements
iii. Ensure vehicles are road-worthy: Vehicles with weak engines and faulty exhaust pipes should be banned from plying the roads

4. Solutions to bush burning

i. Anti-bush fire squads: Communities should set up anti-bush fire squads to prevent and control bush fires
ii. Stop hunting with fire: Hunters should be educated and cautioned against the practice of hunting by using fire
iii. Enact by-laws: Laws should be enacted to punish culprits/people found guilty of bushfires

5. Solutions to poor sanitation

i. Education: People should be educated on the effects of poor sanitation
ii. Enact by-laws: Laws should be enacted to punish who don't keep their surroundings clean and tidy

a)

Political party is a group of people with similar ideas about how a state should be governed and with the aim of winning political power.

b)

Ways in which political parties are important in the practice of democracy

1. They train and produce politicians and national leaders
2. They communicate to the government, the opinions and desires of the people
3. They educate the electorate/the people who vote on political issues
4. Opposition parties help the government to be efficient by talking about the wrong things done by the government
5. They provide alternative government
6. They nominate (presidential and parliamentary) candidates and present them to the electorate
7. They promote national unity by bringing together people of different ethnic groups

c)

Problems facing political parties in Ghana

1. Inadequate funds
2. Bribery and corruption during elections
3. Power struggle among members of the same party
4. Favouritism and nepotism
5. Tribalism/ethnicity
6. Low level of political or civic education
7. Violence among opposing political parties
8. Disagreement in policy formulation/implementation