BECE Past Questions & Answers – 1995 (SOCIAL STUDIES)

August 1995

SOCIAL STUDIES SOLUTIONS SECTION B
ESSAY

PART I

MAP SKILLS AND ENVIRONMENT

7.
(d) Bar graph representing the consumption of fertilizer by the four regions of Chero.

(e) Total volume of fertilizers used in Chero as shown on the map.
= Volumes (in metric tonnes) consumed by Northern, Eastern, Central and Western regions
= 40,000 + 15,000 + 15,000 + 20,000
= 90,000 metric tonnes

(f) Regions that used the least amount of fertilizer in Chero
Eastern and Central

8. (a) The three (3) types of rainfall.
(i) Convectional
(ii) Frontal or cyclonic
(iii) Relief or orographic

(b) How types of rainfall are formed.

(i) Convectional
 Warm water vapour rises (evaporates) from the surfaces of land and water bodies when they are heated.
 The water vapour rises higher and higher into the atmosphere.
 The higher it rises, the cooler it becomes.
 When it gets into the upper layers of the atmosphere, it condenses to form cumulus clouds.
 The cumulus clouds develop into cumulus congestus then into cumulonimbus clouds when cooling continues
 The cumulonimbus clouds condense further and fall as rain
 (Convectional rain is usually accompanied by thunder and lightning)

(ii) Relief or orographic
 Air mass / wind blows towards a highland / mountain
 The air mass is forced upwards on the windward side
 The rising air cools (adiabatic cooling) and condenses to form cumulus clouds
 The cumulus clouds develop into cumulus congestus then into cumulonimbus clouds as cooling continues
 The cumulonimbus clouds condense further and fall as rain
 The rain is heavier on the windward side than on the leeward side.

(iii) Cyclonic or Frontal
 Two air masses (one warm, the other cold) meet and form a front.
 The warmer air rises over the colder air, since it is lighter /has lower density
 As the warm air continues to rise, it cools and condenses to form cumulus clouds

 The cumulus clouds develop into cumulus congestus then into cumulonimbus clouds as cooling continues
 The cumulonimbus clouds condense further and fall as rain

PART II
THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY

9. (a) Types of agricultural practices in Ghana.
(i) Mixed farming (ii) Crop rotation (iii) Mono culture (iv) Land rotation
(v) Mixed cropping
(vi) Mono cropping

(b) Advantages and Disadvantages of systems

(i) Mixed farming
ADVANTAGES
 The land is fully utilized
 Animals droppings are used to fertilize the land
 Animals can be fed with surplus or by-products of crops
 The farmer receives income throughout the year

DISADVANTAGES
 The farmer has very little or no rest throughout the year
 The crops can be destroyed by farm animals
 This system requires much skill, knowledge and expertise

(ii) Crop rotation
ADVANTAGES
 The soil maintains its fertility
 The land is effectively utilized
 Different crops can be grown on the same land for a longer time
 Soil erosion is checked

 Weeds can be controlled easily

DISADVANTAGES
 This system requires special skill, knowledge and expertise
 It discourages specialization, which promotes efficiency.

(iii) Mono culture
ADVANTAGES
 It facilitates specialization in the cultivation of the crops
 It encourages large scale crop cultivation for export or high demand markets
 Diseases and pests can be easily identified and dealt with
 Cultural farming practices can be easily carried out.

DISADVANTAGES
 The soil loses its fertility quickly
 Crops are easily attacked by diseases and pests
 The farmer can lose all his investment in case of crop failure.

(iv) Land rotation
ADVANTAGES
 The soil regains its fertility during the fallow period
 Pests and diseases are easily controlled
 Cultural farming practices can be easily carried out

DISADVANTAGES
 The system wastes land
 Farm size, and hence yield is limited
 It cannot be practiced where land is scarce
 Regular clearing of land and burning of vegetation leads to soil erosion

(v) Mixed cropping
ADVANTAGES
 The nutrients in the soil are effectively used
 Income is generated from the farm throughout the year
 Pests and diseases cannot cause extensive damage

DISADVANTAGES
 The system does not encourage specialization in crop cultivation
 Mechanization is difficult or impossible

(vi) Mono cropping
ADVANTAGES
 It facilitates specialization in the cultivation of the crops
 It encourages large scale crop cultivation for export or high demand markets
 Diseases and pests can be easily identified and dealt with
 Cultural farming practices can be easily carried out

DISADVANTAGES
 The soil loses its fertility quickly
 Crops are easily attacked by diseases and pests
 The farmer can lose all his investment in case of crop failure. [any two each for any two systems]

10. Importance of a named festival of one tribe in Ghana.
PS:
In this question, the student is expected to name a particular festival, (eg, Homowo of the Gas, Hogbetsotso of the Anlos, Adaekese of the Asantes) and give the importance of that named festival

The following are the importance of most festivals in Ghana.

(i) NEW YEAR – Festivals are celebrated to mark the beginning of a new year

(ii) THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER – To thank the Supreme Being, lesser gods and ancestors for a successful past year and pray for their blessings in the coming year.

(iii) PURIFICATION – To purify the ancestral stools, the people and the land.

(iv) REMEMBRANCE – To remember and celebrate the lives and works of past leaders
(both religious and traditional) and rulers

(v) PAST DELIVERANCE – To commemorate past victories over hunger, oppression, disease, etc.

(vi) HOMAGE / HONOUR – To pay homage to (or honour) the chief and renew loyalty to the chief by sub-chiefs and subjects:

(vii) FAMILY REUNION – To bring various family members together and renew relationships after long periods of separation

(viii) CONFLICT RESOLUTION – To settle family / communal conflicts and litigations and chart a new course for future relationship:

(ix) DEVELOPMENT – To plan and implement developmental projects

(x) FUND-RAISING – To raise funds to support various socio-economic programmes.

(xi) TOURISM – To attract tourists into the community. Tourism helps to support the arts and crafts industry and raise foreign exchange for the country

(xii) CULTURAL PRESERVATION – To preserve the indigenous culture / traditions and therefore prevent it from dying out.

PART III
WEST AFRICA, AFRICA AND THE WORLD

11. (a) The major problems related to cattle rearing in Africa.
(i) Insufficient Financial Assistance – Lack of adequate funds / financial services that would help farmers to adopt modern methods of cattle rearing and expand their enterprise.
(ii) Inadequate Veterinary Services – there is a serious shortage of veterinary services on the continent. This shortage makes it difficult for farmers to access the service for their cattle. This eventually leads to reduced health, low productivity and even death of the cattle.
(iii) Inadequate feed and water – In most cases, the feed and water available for cattle are insufficient. As a result, the cattle are stunted in growth, unhealthy and are less productive.
(iv) Pests and diseases – Several pests and diseases, such as ticks, tsetse flies and sleeping sickness attack cattle in Africa. This hinders their healthy growth and development.
(v) Overgrazing / Crop Destruction – A major problem related to cattle rearing in Africa is the destruction of crops / vegetation by cattle, as they move about freely in search of
pasture and water
[any four]

(b) Solutions to the problems.

(i) The government must subsidise the inputs and services that the cattle farmers need. The farmers may form / join already existing unions through which they can access loans/ credit facilities from banks and other finance firms to fund their enterprise
(ii) More veterinary doctors must be trained and motivated to stay and work in Ghana. Also, more veterinary centres must be established in various towns, especially in cattle and other livestock rearing areas.

(iii) Farmers must prepare and reserve fodder and hay to feed their cattle when natural pasture becomes scarce. Dams must be constructed across streams or large reservoirs built to store water for cattle during the dry season
(iv) Cattle must be sent to the veterinary centres regularly for checkups for control measures to be taken to check the attack of pests and diseases. Pesticides must be applied regularly in the areas where the cattle stay or graze to control pests.
(v) Animals must always be guided by (a) herdsman /men to in order to avoid destruction of crops and overgrazing at a particular place. Crop farms must
be fenced to prevent cattle from destroying them
[any two]

12. (a) Aims of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

(i) To promote the unity and solidarity of the African states
(ii) To co-ordinate and intensify the co-operation of African states
(iii) To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of African states. (iv) To eliminate all forms of colonialism
(v) To ensure that all Africans enjoy human rights. (vi) To raise the living standards of all Africans.
(vii) To settle arguments and disputes between members – not through fighting but rather
peaceful and diplomatic negotiation. [any five]

(b) Achievements of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

(i) PEACE, UNITY & SOLIDARITY- It has helped to achieve greater peace, unity and solidarity among the African countries and the peoples of Africa

(ii) INDEPENDENCE – It has assisted many countries in the fight against colonialism and helped them to gain independence

(iii) SOVEREIGNTY – It has helped to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States;

(iv) POLITICAL INTEGRATION – It has accelerated the political integration of the continent, through its general assembly meetings and other avenues.

(v) AFRICAN COMMON POSITIONS – It has promoted and defended African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;

(vi) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – It has helped to encourage international cooperation with other countries outside the continent.

(vii) DEMOCRACY – It has helped to promote democratic principles, institutions and practice in its member states

(viii) GOOD GOVERNANCE – It has helped to promote popular participation and good governance;

(ix) HUMAN RIGHTS – It has helped to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights

(x) GLOBAL ECONOMY – It has helped to establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations;

(xi) DEVELOPMENT – It has promoted sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;

(xii) RACIAL EQUALITY – It helped to abolish the infamous racial segregation (apartheid)
system in South Africa and established racial equality in other countries

(xiii) TRADE / COMMERCE – It has helped to foster good neighbourliness and encouraged trade among African countries [any five]