(a)

Negative effects of rural-urban migration on the villages of Ghana

1. Low Production of food and other agricultural products
2. Increased number of broken homes as a result of breakdown of marriages
3. Lack of supervision of children which often creates a high incidence of child delinquency, early sex, teenage pregnancies and drug addiction
4. Poverty of women is high when their husbands desert them for greener pastures
5. Decline in local industries or rural crafts since there is mass exodus of the youth to the urban areas leaving the family crafts behind
6. Loss of traditional cultural values
7. Loss of agricultural labour force
8. Decrease in population in the rural areas
9. Rural development slows down

(b)

Ways of reducing rural-urban migration in Ghana

1. Provision of job opportunities in the rural areas
2. Making the acquisition of land for farming easier in the rural areas
3. Provision of social amenities and infrastructure in the form of electricity, good roads, educational institutions and health facilities
4. Modernization or abolition of traditional practices such as Trokosi, female genital mutilation, force marriage, puberty rites and widowhood rites
5. Persuasion of the youth through education to know of the negative experiences of people in the urban centres
6. Improvement in agricultural services in the rural areas/Agriculture should be made attractive for rural dwellers
7. Provision of recreational facilities to make life interesting for the youth in the rural areas

a)

b)

Types of rocks

1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks

c)

Importance of rocks

1. Tourist Attraction: The shapes and layers of some rocks are so wonderful and beautiful that they sometimes serve as tourist attraction. An example is the umbrella rocks at Boti Falls
2. Source of Minerals: Minerals like gold, diamond and coal are obtained from rocks
3. Building and Construction: Rocks like igneous and metamorphic are used in building houses, constructing of bridges, dams, roads and sea ports
4. Sources of water: The source of underground water supply depends largely on the nature of rocks. An example is spring wells. Water can be obtained from the ground by constructing a well to reach the aquifer
5. Source of salt: Certain rocks contain salt which are mostly used by people living far from the coastal areas. One can be found at Daboya in Northern Ghana
6. Making of ornaments
7. Production of glass
8. Formation of soil
9. Production of cement, gravel, chippings, etc.
10. Habitat for wildlife

(a)

Types of agricultural practices in Ghana

1. Land rotation
2. Shifting cultivation
3. Mixed farming
4. Mixed cropping

(b)

1. Land rotation

Advantages

i. The land becomes fertile when left to fallow
ii. The farmer has fewer problems of pest and disease

Disadvantages

i. Virgin forests are destroyed
ii. Cultivation each year gives the farmer a hell of work

2. Shifting Cultivation

Advantages

i. The land becomes fertile again during the fallow period without the use of fertilizer or little fertilizer is used
ii. It reduces disease build-up in the farm

Disadvantages

i. It destroys the virgin forest
ii. It cannot be practised in places where land is scarce

3. Mixed farming

Advantages

i. Different crops are grown on the same piece of land
ii. The farmer is assured of regular income from both animals and crops growth
iii. Animals droppings are used to fertilize the land
iv. Animals can be fed with surplus or by-products of crops

Disadvantages

i. It is expensive
ii. The farmer needs much skill to manage his crops and animals
iii. The farmer has very little or no rest throughout the year
iv. The crops can be destroyed by the farm animals

4. Mixed cropping

Advantages

i. The farmer obtains most of his crops from his farm
ii. The dense cover of the leaves of crops protects the soil surface from being eroded

Disadvantages

i. Improper spacing may lead to shading of crops
ii. There is likely competition for water, space, nutrients and light among the various crops

a)

Measures to reduce the pollution of water bodies

1. Treatment of industrial waste
2. Treatment of sewage before discharging in to rivers
3. Monitoring ships and pipeline against leakages
4. Reclamation of spilled oil
5. Change from chemical to organic fertilizers
6. Good fishing practices
7. Public education
8. Reduction of military conflicts through dialogues and mediation
9. Enforcement of legislations on water pollution
10. Provision of alternative sources of water for farm animals
11. Provision of public utilities/incinerators/toilets
12. Conduct of environmental impact assessment before mines are opened
13. Recycling of wastes

b)

Problems the rural areas of Ghana suffer from as a result of migration of the youthful population to the cities

1. Low production of food and other agricultural products
2. Increased number of broken homes as a result of breakdown of marriages
3. Lack of supervision of children which often creates a high incidence of child delinquency, early sex, teenage pregnancies and drug addiction
4. Poverty of women is high when their husbands desert them for greener pastures
5. Decline in local industries/rural crafts since there is mass exodus of the youth to the urban areas leaving family crafts behind
6. Loss of traditional cultural values
7. Loss of agricultural labour force
8. Decrease in population in the rural areas
9. Rural development slows down

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

a)

Characteristics of the harmattan

1. It is a dry wind which blows over West Africa from Sahara desert. It is dry and hazy
2. It blows from North-East to South-West direction
3. It carries a lot of dust which makes breathing very difficult
4. There are very few or no rain clouds in the sky during these periods
5. It brings about haze and makes visibility poor
6. It blows between October and November, also February and March and extends to the North in April
7. Temperatures are generally lower with coldness in the nights

b)

Usefulness of the harmattan

1. The weather conditions make it easy for farmers to dry their crops such as cocoa, maize, etc.
2. The harmattan season is mosquito-free period because stagnant water are mostly not available (dried) to breed mosquitoes
3. It helps farmers to prepare new lands for next farming season
4. The dry season helps in the production of salt
5. It helps laundry activities as cloths dry well and fast
6. It favours travellers since they could travel long distances without disturbances of rain

c)

Disadvantages of the harmattan

1. Poor visibility: The operations flights (aeroplanes) are disrupted due to bad weather
2. Bushfire: Dry land are exposed to frequent bushfires resulting in lose of properties
3. Dusty atmosphere which is harmful to human health
4. Rivers and streams reduce in size and volume rendering water supply for hydroelectric power for domestic and industrial purpose difficult
5. Easy spread of diseases like influenza and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in the dry season
6. Quick dry lips and skin
7. Farming activities are disrupted in places where there are no irrigation facilities
8. There is shortage of water compelling man and animals to travel far distances before getting water