Ghana and the Benefits of Biodiversity

Ghana and the Benefits of Biodiversity

Cooling off at Wli Waterfalls

I’ve always been interested in exploring other countries and cultures, but aside from a trip to France as an exchange student in high school and a couple of family vacations in the Caribbean, I haven’t traveled much abroad. Two of my friends had taken this course last year and had wonderful things to say about the time they spent in Ghana, so when it was offered again this year, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 

As we traveled the country, we had opportunities to learn more about Ghana’s natural resources. Known as the “Gold Coast” from 1821, when it became a British colony, until 1957, the year it gained independence, Ghana is one of Africa’s leading gold producers. 

Although much of the industry is regulated and involves multinational companies, illegal mining is widespread and poses a serious threat to the environment. The mining process strips the soil of its nutrients, making it unfit for use by local farmers, and contaminates nearby water supplies with toxic chemicals like mercury. This poses significant health risks to the people and animals who depend on this water for drinking and eat crops that have been irrigated by polluted water.  

Source link : https://www.bentley.edu/news/adventures-africa-ghana-and-benefits-biodiversity

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Publish date : 2024-03-11 07:00:00

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