Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify major breeds of farm animals in Ghana.
• Analyze factors affecting their distribution.
• Understand the distribution of animals on a map.
• Discuss the impact on food production and economies.

Lesson summary

Welcome, learners! Have you ever wondered why we see so many cattle, sheep, and goats when we travel to the northern parts of Ghana, but fewer in the deep forest areas of the south? Or why certain types of goats seem to thrive everywhere? This is not by accident. The distribution of farm animals across Ghana and our neighbouring West African countries is determined by a complex interplay of science, environment, and culture. Understanding this helps us make better decisions in agriculture, ensuring food security and economic prosperity. In this lesson, we will become agricultural geographers, exploring where different farm animals live and, most importantly, *why* they live there.

Lesson notes

This topic requires us to understand what animals are found where, and the scientific and social reasons behind it. A. Major Farm Animal Breeds in Ghana

It is important to know the specific "types" or breeds of animals we are discussing.

| Animal | Breed Name | Key Characteristics & Location | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | CATTLE | West African Shorthorn (WASH) | Small, hardy, and trypanotolerant (resistant to sleeping sickness from tsetse flies). Found mainly in the southern forest and coastal savannah zones. | | | Sanga (e.g., N'Dama) | A cross between Zebu and humpless cattle. Also trypanotolerant. Larger than WASH. Found in coastal and transitional zones. | | | Zebu (e.g., White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali) | Humped cattle. Large frame, good for meat and draught. Not trypanotolerant. Found almost exclusively in the Northern Savannah zones where tsetse fly is less prevalent. | | SHEEP | Djallonké (West African Dwarf Sheep) | Small, hardy, and trypanotolerant. Very common in the forest and transitional zones of southern Ghana. | | | Sahelian Sheep | Larger, long-legged sheep. Not as resistant to tsetse flies. Found in the Northern Savannah zones, especially Upper East and Upper West. | | GOATS | West African Dwarf (WAD) Goat | The most common goat in Ghana. Small, compact, prolific, and trypanotolerant. Found across all ecological zones but dominates in the south. | | | Sokoto Red (Maradi) | Larger goat, known for its good quality reddish-brown skin. Found mainly in the dry Northern Savannah zones. | | POULTRY | Local/Indigenous Fowls | Hardy, good foragers, disease-resistant. Found in households across the entire country. | | | Exotic Breeds (Broilers, Layers) | Kept in controlled environments (deep litter/battery cage). Distribution depends on market access and investment, not climate. Common around large cities like Accra and Kumasi. |

Key Term: Trypanotolerance - The natural ability of certain animal breeds to survive and be productive in areas where tsetse flies are present. The tsetse fly transmits a deadly disease called Trypanosomiasis (or "sleeping sickness"). This is the single most important factor in cattle distribution in West Africa. B. Distribution of Livestock Across Ghana's Ecological Zones

Evaluation guide

• Analyse the distribution of farm animals in Ghana and We st Africa .
• Managing T alk for Learning: Put learners in mixed -gender/mixed ability groups
• (where appropriate) to watch videos/pictures on the distribution of farm animals
• in Ghana and West Africa and discuss what they have observed in their groups.