Bad roads can mean damaged fruit, delayed orders and astronomical repair costs for Afari's aging tractor. There are 3.5 phones for every 1,000 Ghanaians. Sub-Saharan Africa averages 4 phones per 1,000 people, compared to 4 per 100 in Asia and 6 per 100 in Latin America. The entire region has fewer phones than does New York City. Domestic long-distance telephone calls often do not connect, and international calls can be nearly impossible.
Electricity is sporadic, even in parts of the capital.
Some sections of Accra are without water most of each week. Outside investment has thus barely helped to dent this nation's overwhelming poverty. Bare-chested fishermen toss their nets into coastline waters, hoping that day's catch will feed their children. Subsistence farmers hawk fruits and vegetables on rickety tables along the rural roadside. Unemployment exceeds 25 percent in urban areas.