Burkina Faso

Dana,

Mahes,

Jackson,

Paven,

Hassan

Yoong

Geographical Location/Intro Yoong

Wes

tern

Afri

ca, n

orth

of

Gha

na

Colors of the flagPan-African color

• Red : symbolize the revolution 

• Green : abundance of natural riches

• Star : guiding light of the revolution

Previously was named as Republic of

Upper Volta, then renamed by

President Thomas Sankara.

Capital:

Quagadougou

- Achieved

independence from

France in 1960

- Population: 16.3

million (2010)

- 63 ethnic groups;

half of the

population are

Mossi, followed by

Gourmantche,

Fulani, Dioula, and

Bissa

Geographically

Mostly plains, flat,

savanna

Climate

Tropical climate

with two very

distinct seasons

Economy

Cotton

Mining:

- Gold (Third

largest export)

Education

National

literacy rate

- Male: 30%

- Female: 15%

Causes of Poverty Hassan

CAUS

ES O

F PO

VERT

Y

LOOKING AT POVERTY FROM

ITS ROOT Gauging poverty from its root

helps us understand that focusing on eliminating the

cause of poverty is a more

efficient approach than focusing on reconciling the

damage of poverty. Human Development Report

(2007), states that more than

80% of the world population

lives in countries where the

income gap is widening at a

fast pace.

Many such facts reveal that the

inequality of wealth is in direct

effect of the control and power of

the rich. The idea of the world as a

global village has given greater

access to external control of poor

nations.

Shah (2011) says that behind the

interconnectedness promised by

globalization lie global decisions,

policies and practices, which are

typically planned and driven by the

rich and powerful-leaders of rich

countries, multinational

corporations, global actors,

institutions or influential people etc.

With such enormous external influence, the governments of poorer nations and their people are often left powerless.

Schiller (1989) says ‘which view of poverty we

ultimately embrace will have a direct bearing on the public policies we pursue’.

Community developers

help all communities but

their focus is unbalanced

with the people who do

not have sufficient

resources to meet their

needs or with

communities with large

populations of people

who are in need of help.

(Bradshaw 2006)

It is this disparity of status

and interest that make

poverty research an inescapably political act: it

is an exercise of power, in

this case of an educated

elite to categorize, stigmatize, but above all to

neutralize the poor and

disadvantaged through

analysis that obscures the

political nature of social and

economic inequality. (O’Connor 2001:p12)

Often political agendas are the main factors that define poverty in a given context. The rich and powerful manage how poverty is discussed and what is being done about it.

THEORIES OF

POVERTYPOVERTY CAUSED BY INDIVIDUAL

DEFICIENCIES

The 5 theories of poverty by Bradshaw

(2006)

1) The first theory of poverty focuses on

individuals as being responsible for their

situation. The individuals suffering from

poverty are blamed for their poverty. The

theory suggests that if they work harder

and make better choices they can avoid

problems. Scientifically this theory is

disapproved however adopting it anti-

poverty policy can change behavior.

For example:Imposing penalties and giving incentives to kids at school in poor communities can push them to work and also enable them to learn skills that can get them jobs.

POVE

RTY

CAUS

ED B

Y

CULT

URAL

BEL

IEF

SYST

EMS

THAT

SUP

PORT

SUB

-

CULT

URES

OF

POVE

RTY

2) The second theory of the cause of

poverty is the ‘Culture of poverty’.

The passing of dysfunctional ideas,

belief system, norms, cultures and

values from generation to generation

can shape an individuals ability,

behavior and motivation level.

For example:Poor people in ghettos or poor regions

share a certain way of thinking and

behavior shaped by their belief system.

By the time slum children are sex or

seven they have already absorbed the

basic attitudes and values of their ‘sub-

culture’. They are psychologically not

prepared to take full advantage of

changing their conditions or improving

opportunities.

POVERTY CAUSED

BY

ECON

OM

IC, POLITICAL, AN

D

SOCIAL D

ISTORTIO

NS O

R

DISCRIM

INATIO

N

3) The third theory suggests that poverty is

caused by economical, political and social

misrepresentation and discrimination. The

economic system is structured in such a way

that the poor people always fall behind no

matter how competent or hard working they

are.

For example:

The minimum wages do not allow poor people or

their families to be economically self-sufficient. 

A group of people being given a social disgrace

because of their race, gender disability, religion or

other groupings and causing them to have limited

opportunities regardless of their capabilities.

Cont…

POVE

RTY

CAUS

ED B

Y GE

OG

RAPH

ICAL

D

ISPA

RITI

ES

4) Poverty in rural areas, ghettos, third world poverty are all categorized poverties based on geographical conditions. This theory suggests that the resources needed to generate well being and income lack in those areas.

POVERTY CAUSED BY

CUMULATIVE AN

D CYCLICAL

INTERD

EPEND

ENCIES

5) This theory is linked to the previous four

theories and implies that all the causes are

linked together. When all these problems

dominate, other opportunities close. This

theory says that the individuals and the

resources available are all dependent with

a faltering economy.

For example:

Individuals who lack resources to participate

in the economy, makes economic survival

even harder for the community as fewer

people are paying taxes.

 

Perspectives Paven

Perspective

(Geographical)Burkina Faso – Located in

Western Africa, North of

Ghana. Also known as Sankara

in the early 80’s, but when the

country upraised the French

democracy they changed it to

Burkina Faso in 1984.

The country covers 105,869

square miles (274,200 square

kilometers) in the center of

West Africa, north of Ghana

and Ivory Coast.

(Soc

ial a

nd

Cultu

ral)

In Burkina Faso, there are three

major religious groups: Muslim

(52%), Christian (18%), and

traditional religions (26%)

Classes and Castes. The people

there are divided based on class

and castes. Art Burkina Faso has more than 60

ethnic groups, each with their

own social and cultural distinctions. Music Burkina Faso is home to 60

different ethnic groups, each with

their own variety of folk music.

(Political) The political system of the

fourth Republic is based on a

constitution which is inspired by

the French presidential

democracy.

The political class is a limited

group, where most personalities

know each other well.

Cont…

(Economical)

One of the poorest countries in the

world, the average person has a

yearly per capita purchasing power

parity of only $860 based on 1997

World Bank estimate.

About 85 % of the population is

engaged in agriculture at the

subsistence level and less than 10

% of the agricultural production is

cash crops.

What is our FocusDana

Education

Basic Needs

Clothes

Shelter

Food

How are we promoting the IssueJackson

The

Gove

rnm

ent

To inform them about the

poverty issues and raise awareness to the public towards this issue.

Contribute in the help of solving this issue

Ask for the help from others

country. Provide the higher education level for the public. Encourage the public being

independent

The

publ

ic

Unfold the truth about the cause of poverty

Encourage the public giving the child for a proper education.

Educate public should stop depending for other’s

The

Medi

a

Reporting the truth to the public Raise the awareness

towards the poverty issues. Helping to promoting

the how to reduce the poverty issues Gain people’s attention

and contributing in the help

Refe

renc

es

Bradshaw, T. (2006), Theories of Poverty and

Anti-poverty programs in community

development, Rural Poverty Research Center,

Working paper No. 06-05 Human Development Report (HDR) 2007,

Human Development index, United Nations

Development Program, viewed online 3 rd April

2012, http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/

human_development.htmO'Connor, A. (2001). Poverty Knowledge.

Princeton: Princeton University Press

Schiller, B. R. (1989). The Economics of

Poverty and Discrimination . Englewood Cliffs,

NJ: Prentice HallShah, A. (2010), Poverty Facts and Stats,

Global Issues, viewed online 2 rd April 2012,

http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-fact

s-and-stats