Positive Changes in Countries Part 25 – Vibrant Governments, Vibrant Citizens: Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau

Guatemala is best known for her magnificent mountainous landscape, rich Mayan heritage, and the colorful city Antigua. Thankfully, the people of Guatemala have made considerable strides in conserving our beautiful rainforests. Moreover, health care is becoming more accessible in Guatemala! What’s more, the Guatemalan government has taken major steps to improve animal welfare. A comprehensive law passed by Guatemala’s Congress in 2017 bans animal testing for cosmetics, animals in circuses, and dog fighting.

My country, officially known as the Republic of Guinea, is in West Africa, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 13.1 million, Guinea’s culture is a harmonious composite of many dynamic ethnic groups. Furthermore, the health system is seeing improvements, thanks to government initiatives and the support of organizations such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Meanwhile, when human and agricultural expansion challenged Guinea’s forest reserves, the government of Guinea began working with USAID to develop a strategy. A de-centralized and co-forest management approach was adopted, which engaged local communities adjacent to the forests. The Guinean government has also launched renewable energy efforts in the hydropower sector.

Located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, Guinea-Bissau is a small tropical jewel, well-known for extensive national parks and flourishing wildlife on the land and in the sea, including the world-renowned Bijagós Archipelago Biosphere Reserve. The country is also working to improve citizens’ lives by pursuing renewable energy sources such as a solar power plant with a capacity of between 20 and 30 MW, which is currently under construction. This project will bring electricity to some 500,000 homes, while more than doubling the nation’s power generation capacity. In addition, the telecommunications sector has been growing at an impressive rate. The government announced plans to introduce a nationwide cellular network. What’s more, awareness of wildlife conservation is on the rise in Guinea-Bissau.