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| Title: |
Natural Resources Management And Sustainable Development The
Case Of The Gold Sector In Ghana |
| Author / Organization |
Dr Peter Claver
Acquah, Executive Director, Environmental
Protection Council, Ghana, for United Nations Conference on Trade Development 1996 |
Document
Description |
A case study of natural resource management
and sustainable development in the gold sector of the West African nation of Ghana.
This
document sets out the main environmental and socio-economic impacts of gold mining
(including water pollution , land degradation and effects on coastal and marine
resources). A description of the impacts of mining is followed by a review and assessment
of the Governments environmental policies, strategies and a description of the practical
and institutional issues experienced in applying environmental policies.
The main aim of Ghana's environmental policy is to improve the surroundings, living
conditions and quality of life for the entire citizenry, both present and future. With
this aim environmental protection is guided by the preventative approach ie recognition
that socio-economic developments must be undertaken in such a way as to avoid the creation
of environmental problems. In this light a Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) is a
prerequisite for gold mining leases for concession areas over 10 hectares. The EIA
includes an environmental action plan and a final land use plan when mining operations
cease. Ghana uses the "bottom-up" approach towards environmental management,
District Assemblies are asked to implement the environmental policies. This document
provides a useful review of how a nation has approached issues of socioeconomic
development and the environment in it's own socioeconomic and cultural context with
specific reference to the gold sector, it's leading foreign exchange earner. |
| Format |
 pdf
(137 kb)
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