Ghana as a developing country: economic and social characteristics

GHANA'S PROMISING FUTURE

In an era where Google earns more than the gross domestic products of most of the African nations combined, Ghana stands out as an example of what political stability combined with sufficient natural resources can do in post-colonial Africa. Although the country is still considered to be a low-income economy, there are signs that the economic, political and social initiatives that have been undertaken in recent years will significantly improve the standard of living for the people of Ghana by providing sustainable alternatives to complex problems. To gain some current insights into these issues, this paper reviews the relevant literature concerning Ghana's current level of development, including economic, political, educational, administrative and health aspects, followed by an examination of Ghana's recent, current, and proposed development initiatives. Finally, a discussion concerning Ghana's internal and external development-related controversies is followed by a summary of the research and important findings in the conclusion.

1.

GHANA'S CURRENT LEVEL of DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, EDUCATIONAL, ADMINSTRATIVE & HEALTH ASPECTS

Economic. Ghana is classified as a low-income nation (Gebe). At present, the country's per capita gross domestic product is $3,100, representing a modest increase over the $2,800 and $2,700 levels from 2010 and 2009, respectively (Ghana).

Political. Modern Ghana came into being in 1957 when the Togoland trust territory and the British colony, the Gold Coast, merged to become the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to achieve independence (Ghana). Over the years, Ghana experienced a lengthy series of coups, including one sponsored by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in February 1966 (Gebe 160) prior to Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings assuming power in 1981, at which point multiparty politics were banned (Ghana). In 1992, though, a new constitution and other political parties were approved and President Rawlings served two more terms by election in 1992 and 1996 (Ghana). Peaceful transitions of presidential power under the new constitution have taken place since that time and the new president is John Atta Mills, who assumed office in early 2009 (Ghana). Ghana's favorable geographic location is depicted in the political map in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Political map of Ghana

Source:

Education

Ghana spends 5.4% of its GDP on education and 67.3% (73.2% male and 61.2% female) of its 24,000,000 people over the age of 15 years can read and write (Ghana people). Males spend one more year in primary to tertiary education (11 years) compared to females (10 years) (Ghana people).

Administration and Health

Despite efforts from Ghanian authorities and the international community to improve the nation's healthcare system, Ghana's death rate for infants remains high (47.26 deaths per 1,000 live births). According to Mbe, "In 2005 the estimated maternal mortality rate in Ghana was 560 per 100,000 live births (compared to 11 per 100,000 in the U.S. And 4 per 100,000 in Australia) -- largely due to haemorrhage, hypertension and unsafe abortions" (26). Life expectancy, though, is higher than many other African nations at 61.45 years for the total population (slightly higher for females at 62.73 years but lower for men at 60.22 years) (Ghana people). The country spends a significant portion of its gross domestic product, 10.6%, on healthcare; however, there remains a dearth of physicians in the country with just one doctor and one hospital bed for every 1,000 Ghanaians (Ghana people). In addition, HIV and AIDS remain significant problems, with more than a quarter million people currently infected with these diseases (Ghana people). Moreover, Ghanaians are at high risk for the following diseases:

Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis a, and typhoid fever;

Vector-borne diseases: malaria;

Water contact disease: schistosomiasis;

Respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis;

Animal contact disease: rabies;

In response to the needs of rural women in Ghana, the Ghana Health Service provides motorbikes to transport pregnant women to local hospitals in the event they require medical assistance during their deliveries (Mbe). According to Mbe, "The entire Upper East Region has only nine doctors, meaning just one doctor to every million patients. However, free healthcare facilities have been available to pregnant women for the last 18 months and more and more women are giving birth in hospital, getting the care and treatment that previously would have been too expensive for them to access" (27). This healthcare initiative was launched by the Ghanian government in May 2008 in an effort to reduce the country's maternal mortality rate by 75 per cent by 2015 consistent with Millennium Development Goal targets (Mbe).

Other healthcare initiatives targeting rural Ghanaians include those coordinated by Jonathan Porter, an Englishman who has lived in the country for the past 2 decades. According to Djanie, "Porer came up with the idea of Medicine on the Move (MOM). As their mission statement puts it, the aim of MOM is to 'improve the lives of West Africans by providing healthcare education and regular medical services to rural communities in Ghana'" (39). The organization accomplishes its mission by transporting "health educators specializing in general healthcare, basic first aid, hygiene and disease prevention to communities previously beyond the reach of ground-based aid agencies" (Mbe 39). In addition, the organization will "bring doctors, nurses and needed hygiene and medical supplies directly to remote villages. Medicine on the Move utilizes aviation, maritime and land-based transportation to provide general health care, emergency response and trauma care, and health care education to isolated rural communities" (Djanie 39). Finally, although hunger has largely been eliminated in Ghana, a significant percentage of children (14.3%) are underweight (Ghana people).

2.

GHANA'S RECENT, CURRENT, & PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Although it is classified as a low-income country (Gebe), Ghana's economy remains steady, the country enjoys a competitive business environment and poverty levels have been consistently reduced over the years (Ghana economy). Moreover, Ghana enjoys a wide array of natural resources and unlike many neighboring countries, agriculture only represents approximately 25% of GDP and about 50% of the workforce with a robust and growing service sector accounting for the remainder (Ghana economy). In fact, the services sector accounts for fully half of Ghana's GDP, but other important contributors include gold extraction and cocoa production; however, money sent from expatriate Ghanaians also represents an important source of foreign exchange (Ghana economy). More promising still is the potential contribution from oil production generated at Ghana's offshore Jubilee oilfield; production commenced in mid-December 2010 and these revenues are projected to further stimulate economic growth and development (Ghana economy). Nevertheless, the current administration is confronted with the same types of challenges that come with any new revenue source, including investing these resources in informed and sustainable ways (Ghana economy). According to U.S. analysts, "Estimated oil reserves have jumped to almost 700 million barrels" (Ghana economy 3).

Some recent initiatives that are reflective of Ghana's commitment to improving life for the average Ghanian include:

1. In 2002, Ghana sought debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) program (Ghana economy).

2. In 2006, Ghana entered into a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact that is designed to further modernize the country's agricultural sector (Ghana economy).

3. In 2006, Ghana signed an agreement to participate in the America's Millennium Challenge Account targeted at the reconstruction of a road that is part of the country's segment of the Trans-Africa Highway (this segment had been abandoned for years as a result of a lack of funds) (Djane).