Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places

The economic histories of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire since their independence have been dramatically different. In the period from 1970 Ghana experienced a sustained collapse in its economy such that by 1983 its level of real GDP per person had fallen by some 40%, its currency was worthless and the thi...

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Main Authors: Markus Eberhardt, Francis Teal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institut de Hautes Études Internationales et du Développement 2010-03-01
Series:Revue Internationale de Politique de Développement
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/poldev/136
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author Markus Eberhardt
Francis Teal
author_facet Markus Eberhardt
Francis Teal
author_sort Markus Eberhardt
collection DOAJ
description The economic histories of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire since their independence have been dramatically different. In the period from 1970 Ghana experienced a sustained collapse in its economy such that by 1983 its level of real GDP per person had fallen by some 40%, its currency was worthless and the third attempt at democratic government had ended with a fourth military coup in 15 years. In contrast, Côte d’Ivoire had enjoyed more or less uninterrupted growth such that by 1980 real GDP per person was twice its 1960s level. However, the period since the mid-1980s has seen a remarkable reversal of fortunes. From 1983 Ghana has experienced sustained recovery, while Côte d’Ivoire has seen large falls in income, its first coup in 1999 and a decline into civil war and ethnic unrest. From being among the least successful Ghana has gone to being among the most successful of African countries, changing places with Côte d’Ivoire which has seen its economy transformed from one experiencing rapid growth to stagnation in a country ravaged by a bitter civil war. This article seeks to document and explain this extraordinary reversal of fortunes.
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series Revue Internationale de Politique de Développement
spelling doaj-art-cf5e9c91e7c84201b7f4f5e30408ea382024-12-09T15:48:09ZengInstitut de Hautes Études Internationales et du DéveloppementRevue Internationale de Politique de Développement1663-93751663-93912010-03-011334910.4000/poldev.136Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing PlacesMarkus EberhardtFrancis TealThe economic histories of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire since their independence have been dramatically different. In the period from 1970 Ghana experienced a sustained collapse in its economy such that by 1983 its level of real GDP per person had fallen by some 40%, its currency was worthless and the third attempt at democratic government had ended with a fourth military coup in 15 years. In contrast, Côte d’Ivoire had enjoyed more or less uninterrupted growth such that by 1980 real GDP per person was twice its 1960s level. However, the period since the mid-1980s has seen a remarkable reversal of fortunes. From 1983 Ghana has experienced sustained recovery, while Côte d’Ivoire has seen large falls in income, its first coup in 1999 and a decline into civil war and ethnic unrest. From being among the least successful Ghana has gone to being among the most successful of African countries, changing places with Côte d’Ivoire which has seen its economy transformed from one experiencing rapid growth to stagnation in a country ravaged by a bitter civil war. This article seeks to document and explain this extraordinary reversal of fortunes.https://journals.openedition.org/poldev/136agricultureexportsgrowthtradeagricultural policycolonial | colonisation
spellingShingle Markus Eberhardt
Francis Teal
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places
Revue Internationale de Politique de Développement
agriculture
exports
growth
trade
agricultural policy
colonial | colonisation
title Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places
title_full Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places
title_fullStr Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places
title_full_unstemmed Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places
title_short Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Changing Places
title_sort ghana and cote d ivoire changing places
topic agriculture
exports
growth
trade
agricultural policy
colonial | colonisation
url https://journals.openedition.org/poldev/136
work_keys_str_mv AT markuseberhardt ghanaandcotedivoirechangingplaces
AT francisteal ghanaandcotedivoirechangingplaces