(a)

Separation of powers is the practice whereby each of the three arms of Government (the legislature, executive and judiciary) work independently of each other.

(b)

Advantages of separation of powers

1. It sets out the duties and powers of each organ of government and this brings fairness in the administration of the country
2. It prevents dictatorship because power is never vested in one organ, person or group of people
3. It ensures that all arms of government respect and abide by the Constitution
4. It protects the rights or freedoms of citizens against abuse by forcing the arms of government to comply with the laws and provisions on fundamental human rights and freedoms under the 1992 Constitution
5. It leads to efficiency and specialization due to years of carrying out the same functions
6. It limits the powers of the Executive and the Legislature for instance persons nominated as Ministers need approval from Parliament before they assume office

a)

Reasons why people embark on tours to different places

1. For sightseeing
2. To learn new things (e.g. culture)
3. For enjoyment and relaxation
4. To acquire new artifacts
5. To appreciate and interact with nature
6. For religious purposes
7. For health reasons
8. To engage in economic activities
9. For education and research

b)

Importance of tourism to the Ghanaian

1. Provides employment
2. Serves as source of foreign exchange
3. Source of revenue to the state
4. Leads to infrastructural development
5. Helps to conserve natural resources
6. Promotes the growth and development of local craft industries
7. Projects Ghana's image abroad
8. Attracts foreign investors
9. Helps to protect historical monuments

a)

Countries of West Africa were the following minerals mined

b)

Importance of mining in West African

1. Jewellery/ornaments making: Gold and diamond are used in making regalia of chiefs, crowns and ornaments for decorations
2. Foreign Exchange: Minerals are major foreign exchange earners for most countries in the sub-region
3. Employment creation: Mining creates jobs for drivers, laborers, engineers in the mining and jewellery industries
4. Infrastructural facilities: It leads to the development of social amenities such as hospitals, stadiums, schools, roads in the mining communities
5. Source of government revenue: Payment of taxes and royalties from the mining companies provides revenue for the states to run their respective economics
6. Raw material: Most minerals are important raw materials for various processing/manufacturing industries

a)

Types of timber found in the forests of Ghana

1. Mahogany
2. Sapele
3. Wawa
4. Odum
5. Makore
6. Iroko
7. Obeche
8. Walnut
9. Teak
10. Utile

b)

Importance of the timber industry important in Ghana

1. Foreign exchange: Returns from timber exported are used to develop the nation
2. Fuel: Timber is used as firewood or charcoal in both industrial and domestic areas
3. Job creation: Jobs are offered to people such as carpenters and artisans
4. Source of revenue to the state: Income tax, duties and royalties bring revenue for government
5. Medicine: The leaves and bark of some trees such as Nim tree serve medical purposes
6. Furniture: Timber is an important raw material for the furniture industry in Ghana
7. Electrification: Tens of thousands of electric poles used each year by the Electricity Company of Ghana are made of timber.
8. Fishing: Almost all fishermen in Ghana use fishing boats or canoes that are made from timber
9. Building and Construction Industry: Timber is used for various things in the building and construction industry, including doors, window frames, ceilings, floors, etc.

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)

Main vegetation types in Ghana

1. Mangrove/stand
2. Rain forest
3. Coastal shrub and grassland
4. Guinea Savannah

b)

Ways by which the vegetation is being destroyed

1. Mining activities: Galamsey mining operations and mining by the open-cast methods expose the vegetation
2. Overgrazing: Overgrazing by farm animals such as sheep and cattle leave the soil bare exposing it to erosion which eventually depletes the vegetation
3. Felling of trees: The indiscriminate felling of trees (deforestation) for fuel or timber destroys the vegetation
4. Bush burning: Burning of bush by farmers and hunters destroys the plant fob in the soil and exposes the land directly to rain water or wind to cause erosion
5. Human settlements: Putting up of houses and other structures for economic and other structures for economic and social activities call for the felling of trees which destroy the vegetation
6. Construction activities: Construction of roads and railways call for the felling of trees leading to the destruction of vegetation

c)

Ways by which the vegetation can be protected

1. Laws should be enacted to deal with people who cause bush fires
2. Education on agro-forestry should be embarked on
3. The forestry commission should take up the challenge of managing national parks and forest reserves
4. Encouragement of good farming practices such as crop rotation
5. Reafforestation projects should be encouraged