SOCIAL STUDIES

13 - 07 - 2020 Notes

1. NOTE ONE

FORM TWO

SOCIALSTUDIES

GHANA’S COOPERATION WITH OTHER NATIONS

Cooperation is the coming together of individuals, groups or nations to work in order to achieve a common goal. It is the common goal that brings the nations or individuals together in a cooperation.

Every cooperation body has the following;

i. Aims: These are the common goals that members of a cooperation body work together to achieve. They are also called the objectives.

ii. Principles: These are the rules and regulations that guide the behaviours and activities of a cooperation body. Principles are also the belief systems of a cooperation body. 

iii. Charter: It is a document which contains the aims and principles of cooperation body. If a nation or person signs the charter, he or she or it becomes an accepted member of the group.

WAYS BY WHICH GHANA COOPERATES WITH OTHER NATIONS

Ghana cooperates with other nations through the following ways;

1. By joining international organisations such as the United Nations, African Union and Commonwealth of Nations.

2. By participating in international sporting activities such as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games and African Cup of Nations organised by international bodies such as FIFA and CAF. 

3. By participating in educational and cultural exchange programmes with other nations.

4. By establishing embassies and joint commissions with other nations to work on various world projects. 

5. By participating in peace keeping programs where Ghanaians soldiers are sent to work with other soldiers to maintain peace in war-torn nations.

6. By engaging in trading activities with other nations through the importation and exportation of various goods and services.

TYPES OF COOPERATION

There are two main types of cooperation depending on the number of member states involved. These are;

i. Bilateral cooperation: It is a cooperation which involves two nations working together to achieve a common goal. Examples are;

• A friendly football match between Ghana and Kenya to promote peace and   unity between themselves.

• Ghana exporting cocoa to the United States of America to promote trading activities between themselves.

ii. Multilateral Cooperation: It is a cooperation where three or more nations work together to achieve a common goal. Examples are the cooperation among the member states of the United Nations and the African Union to promote peace and unity among themselves.

FORMS OF COOPERATION

There are several forms of cooperation among member statesdepending on what the main aim or goal of the group is about. These include;

i. Political cooperation: It is a cooperation where the member states agree on common ways or principles by which they rule their individual nations. Thus, it aims at promoting good governance among the member states. Examples are the cooperation among the member state of AU, UN and Commonwealth of Nations.

ii. Economic cooperation: It is cooperation where the member states produce and distribute various goods and services among themselves. That is, it aims at promoting trade or economic integration (free movement of goods and services) among the member states. An example is the ECOWAS.

iii. Educational cooperation: It is a cooperation where the member states come together to use common teaching and learning methods or principles in their nations. This may include the use of common teaching syllabus and it is often done through exchange programmes. An example is the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) which organises examinations for Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia.

iv. Cultural cooperation: It is a cooperation where the member states learn about, appreciate and promote their individual cultures. An example is the Pan-African Festival (PANAFEST) where the member states exhibit and appreciate their individual cultures at a common durbar. 

v. Technical or Technological cooperation: It is a cooperation where the member states produce and distribute machines or technologies and also enhance technical know-how among themselves. It is meant to ensure technological advancement among the members.

REASONS WHY GHANA COOPERATES WITH OTHER NATIONS

Cooperation is based on the principle of interdependence. That is, individuals or nations cannot be on their own entirely and therefore must cooperate with other nations in order to help one another (cooperation is for mutual benefits). 

Ghana therefore cooperates with other nations for the following reasons;

i. To promote friendly relationship and unity with other nations. That is, the cooperation will bring Ghana and other nations together and this will help reduce conflicts among them and therefore solve the problems of world wars.

ii. To promote international peace and security. This is because the cooperation will help reduce world wars and therefore make nations in the world very safe to live in.

iii. To promote cultural solidarity with other nations. That is, the cooperation will enable Ghanaians to learn about, love and appreciate the cultures of other people so that they can easily fit in any society that they find themselves.

iv. To benefit from their knowledge and help in times of difficulty or trouble. This help can be financial (loans, aids and grants) or technological or advice. 

v. To take part in the global fight against social problems such as hunger, poverty, diseases and corruption. That is,the cooperation will enable Ghana to join forces with other nations so that together they can fight and overcome those social problems. 

INTERNATIONAL (COOPERATION) ORGANISATIONS

These are organisations which are established and opened to peace loving nations to promote peace and unity in the world. Ghana belongs to international bodies such as the;

• The United Nations (UN) 

• African Union (AU)

• Commonwealth of Nations 

• Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

❖ New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) which is under the AU

Before a nation joins any of these international bodies, it must carefully read its aims and principles and make sure that they will not negatively affect its development. If it loves the aims and is ready to obey the principles, it then signs the charter to become an official member.

However, the nation itself must have the following requirements before it will be accepted;

i. It must be peace loving and ready to promote peace.

ii. It must be politically independent. That is, it must be free from colonial rule or influence.

iii. It must be ready to fully obey the principles of the organisation.

iv. It must respect the sovereignty and independence of the other member states.

NOTE 2

FORM TWO

SOCIAL STUDIES

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

It was formed in 1919 after the First World War which took place from 1914 to 1918.

Main aim: To put an end to world wars (to promote international peace and security)

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland 

It was dissolved in 1945 after the Second World War (1939 to 1945) for failing to prevent the war and was replaced with the United Nations.

THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)

It was formed on 20th June, 1945 at San Francisco, USA after the Second World War (1939 to 1945) to replace the League of Nations. 

It started operating on 24th October, 1945. Therefore, UN day is celebrated on 24th October every year.

The name ‘United Nations’ was suggested by Sir Franklin Roosevelt, the then American President. 

Main aim: To put an end to world wars and thus promote international peace.

Headquarters: Manhattan City, New York, USA

Highest/Maim/Biggest Organ: General Assembly

Administrative Organ: Secretary

THE ORGANS OF UNITED NATIONS 

The UN has six main organs which helps it to carry out its functions or activities of effectively. These are;

1. General Assembly

• It is made up of the Heads of State (Presidents) of each member state with other dignitaries (vice president, Foreign Affairs Minister, etc).

• Each member state is represented by five people making it the biggest organ of the UN.

• It meets once every year specifically on 3rd Tuesday of September to discuss and make important decisions on world problems. However, they sometimes meet when there is an emergency problem confronting the world.

• It elects the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council as well as the Secretary General of the Secretariat.

2. The Secretariat

• It is the administrative organ of the UN as it runs the dailyactivities of the organisations.

• It is based at New York, USA in the UN building or Headquarters.

• It is headed by a Secretary General who is elected by the General Assembly.

• A Secretary General stays in office for a five year term but can only stay in office for a maximum of two terms.

• The first UN Secretary was Trygrie Lie from Norway (1946 -1953)

• The current Secretary General of the UN is Antonio Gueters from Portugal (January 2017 to date). He succeeded Ban Ki – Moon (2007 to 2016) from South Korea.

• The First African to be elected Secretary General of the UN was Boutrous – Boutrous  Ghali (1992 – 1996) from Egypt.

• The Second African and the only Ghanaian to become the Secretary of the UN was Kofi Anna (1997 – 2006)

3. The Security Council

• It main aim is to ensure total peace and security for all the member states.

• It is made up of only fifteen nations at a time, ten (10) are non-permanent and five (5) are permanent.

• The ten (10) non-permanent member states stay in office for a two (2) year term and are elected by the General Assembly.

• The five permanent member states are France, Russia, U.S.A, China and England. These five nations have veto power in the UN.

• Veto power is a special rite given to a person or group to reject any decision or stop an action from being carried out in an organisation.

4. The Trusteeship Council

Main aim: It places less developed nations under the care and guidance of developed ones to help them overcome their problems.  

5. International Court of Justice

It is based at the Hague in Netherlands (Holland)

Main aim: It settles disputes among the member states to ensure peace and justice in the world.

• It is also known as the world court and is the highest court in the world.

• It has 15 judges who are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council.

• The judges stay in office for a 9 year term and can be re-elected.

6. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• It is also known as the United Nations Family and is made up of 54 member states.

• Every year the General Assembly 18 member state for a 3 year term.

Main aim: It helps solve social and economic problems facing the member states.

SPECIALISED AGENCIES OF THE UN

These are special organizations established by the United Nations to help solve particular problems facing the member states.

These includes:

1. World Health Organisation (WHO)

Main aim: It provides quality health care in the member states by fighting against diseases.

• It hence educates people on the causes and prevention of various diseases.

• It hence educates people on the causes of and prevention of various diseases and also provides free vaccination against diseases.

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

Date formed: 7th April, 1948. Every year 7th April is therefore celebrated as World Health Day. 

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2. Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)

Main aim: It fights against hunger and famine and provides agriculture in the world. It does this by offering free food items to member states experiencing famine and also educates modern farming practices.

Headquarters: Rome, Italy

Date formed: 16th October, 1945. Therefore 16 October is celebrated every year as World Food Day.

3. International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Main aim: It ensures quality welfare for all workers in the world. That is, it fights for the rights, interest and better working conditions for workers in the world.

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland 

• World Workers Day is celebrated on 1st May every year.

4. United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF)

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Main aim: it seeks for the welfare of children in the world. Thus, it promotes the rights, health care and education of children all over the world.

Headquarters: New York, U.S.A

WEEK 9 NOTES

FORM 2

NOTE 3

SOCIAL STUDIES

THE AFRICAN UNION (AU)

• The African Union was formed to replace the Organisation of African Union (OAU) 
• The OAU was formed on 25th May 1963 mainly to unite African nations and also fight for the independence or freedom of the African continent from colonial rule.
• Headquarters of OAU: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 
• The first chairman of the OAU was Emperor Haile Selasie from Ethiopia.
• Kwame Nkrumah was a founding member of the OAU and became the first Ghanaian to become an OAU chairman in 1965.
• After the last country in Africa, South Africa became independent in 1994 from the system of Aparthied, the OAU charter was revised and the name was later changed to the African Union
• The last chairman of the OAU was Levi Nwanawasa from Zambia.
• The African Uion was officially launched on 9th July, 2002 in Durban, South Africa.
• Main aim: To promote good governance and facilitate the development of the African continent.
• First Chairman: Thabo Mbeki from South Africa
• First General Secretary: Amara Essy from Cote D'Ivoire
• Heaquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• AU Day: 25th May every year.
• Current chairman: Abdel Fatah el-Sisi from Egypt 
• Current General Secretary: Musa Faki Mahammat from Chad
• Main or highest organ: General Assembly
• Administrative organ: General Commission

OTHER ORGANS OF THE AU are:

1. The Pan African Parliament
2. African Court of Justice
3. Permanent  Representative Council 
4. Peace and Security Council.
5. Specialised Technical Committee
6. The Financial Institution which include;

• African Monetary Fund
• African Investment  Bank
• African Bank
• Morocco is no longer a member of the AU

NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELPOMENT (NEPAD)

• It is a policy framework or brainchild of the African Union which was formed in 2001
• Main aim: To provide a policy framework which will facilitate the development of Africa and also promote good governance.
• Headquarters: Midrand, South Africa
• Administrative organ: NEPAD Secretariat
• To ensure good governance, NEPAD has established a special body called African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) which assesses the democratic practice of the member states.
• Ghana was the first country to allow herself to be assessed by the NEPAD

ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS)

• It was formed on 28th May, 1975 at Lagos, Nigeria.
• It's inaugural or original charter was signed in Lagos by fifteen out of the sixteen West African States
• This charter which gave birth to ECOWAS was called Lagos Treaty.
• Cape Verde was the only country which did not sign the Lagos Treaty originally but later signed it in 1975 after they gained their independence.
• Main aim: To promote economic integration among the member states. That is, to encourage free movement of goods and services or trade among the member states.
• Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria
• The key founding members of ECOWAS were Gnassingbe Eyadema from Togo, Leopaold Sedar Senghor from Senegal, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong from Ghana, William Tubman from Liberia, Gowon Yakubu from Nigeria and Houphoet Boigny Felix from Cote d' Ivoire
• ECOWAS Day: 28th May every year
• Administrative organ: The Exceutive Secretariat.

Other organs of ECOWAS include:

• The Trihunal
• The Defence Council
• ECOWAS Parliament
• The Technical and Specialised Commission

• Current chairman: Muhamadou Issoufou from Niger
• Current Secretary General: John Azuma from Ghana.
• Mauritania is no longer a member of ECOWAS following their withdrawal from the group on 20th December, 1999

COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS

• It was formed on 12th March, 1926 and was later revised on 3rd December, 1931
• Commonwealth Day: 12th March or the second Monday in March 
• It is made up of Great Britain and her Dominions, former British colonies and the former members of the British Empire. 
• The Dominions of the British included New Zealand, Sri Lanke, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
• Main aim: To promote unity and frienship among the British and all her former colonies.
• Main organ: Commonwealth Heads of Government. It is headed by the Queen of Britain.
• Administrative organ: Commonwealth Secretariat
• Headquarters: Malborough House, London, UK

NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM)

• It is a movement which was formed at Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) in 1961 by some developing nations.
• The movement did not want to be officially aligned with or against any of the then two major power blocs. These two power blocs were The Western Bloc (made up of USA and The NATO members) and The Eastern Bloc (made up of Russia and her allies)
• The key founders of NAM were Jawaharlal Nehru from India, Josip Broz Tito from Yugoslavia, Sukarno from Indonesia, Gamal Abdel Nasser from Egypt and Kwame Nkuramah from Ghana.
• Main aim: To ensure national independence, sovereignty and security of all the member states and stay away from the them warring power blocs.
• It was also formed to find a different way or path towards development other than capitalism or communism practised by the Western and Eastern blocs respectively.
• Main organ: Conference of Heads of States or government
• Headquarters: Central Jakarta, Indonesia.
• It has about 120 members and therefore the second biggest international organisation in the world.