The critical environmental and sustainability issues of Guinea:
- Poverty and Hunger
Guinea has the highest per capita income on the continent of Africa, yet more than half of the population lives below the poverty line, with around 20 % in extreme poverty. 55 % of people live below the poverty line, and unemployment rates are very high. Hunger also poses a serious threat, with 17.5 % of the population experiencing food insecurity, 230,000 children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition and 25.9 % of the population experiencing chronic malnutrition.
- Water Crisis
The nation has 226 cubic kilometers of renewable water resources with 87% used in farming activity. About 35% of the people living in rural areas do not have access to pure water. Water pollution and improper waste disposal are significant environmental problems in Guinea.
- Domestic Corruption
The government of Guinea spends US$80 out of every US$100 in its budget on sketchy construction projects, but only dedicates US$2-3 to health and education. Thus, the citizens continue to suffer from illiteracy and poor health and have no way to escape poverty due to corruption.
- Education
Guinea’s 2010 literacy rate stood at 25% for adults, 21.8% for young women aged 15-24 and 37.6% for young men of the same age group. Primary school completion rates stood at 55.1% and 67.8% for females and males respectively in 2012. Gender gaps continue to persist in the higher grades, with 32 % of females and 41 % of males progressing to secondary school.
- Waste Management
The Republic of Guinea with a population of 10,523,261 inhabitants is confronted with solid waste disposal problem in both urban and rural areas. Regarding households waste management, 80% and 53.6% of them dispose of their garbage in nearby bushes in rural and urban areas respectively. However, safe waste removal is practiced by only 6.7% of households.