Looking at the Ghana map, you will realize Ghana enjoys a multitude of natural resources. The Mining industry of Ghana accounts for 5% of the country's GDP and minerals make up 37% of total exports, of which gold contributes over 90% of the total mineral exports. Ghana is exploring opportunities for alternative energy All the oil that was imported into the country was refined at the Tema Oil Refinery. Aluminium is used in the creation of aluminium foils used to package food and also in making soda cans. In the world, the oil in Ghana is believed to be at number 25 of the largest oil reserves. If a diamond is brown then it has lattice defects and if it is green then it has been exposed to radiation. Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Project . We are happy to interview Nana Owusu-Ansah from the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana about the research he is conducting in the Gbele Resource Reserve in the Upper West Region of Ghana. However, a diamond is as hard as it is pure, meaning the purer the diamond the harder it is. Wildlife species - 222 Mammals, 128 reptiles, 38 amphibians, 721 bird species. Well-endowed with natural resources, Ghana The deposits were believed to be about 6 million barrels. They were discovered by the company called Kosmos Energy LLC. The manganese from Ghana is exported to various foreign and especially European countries where it is put into use. Before the exploitation of oil in Ghana, the oil was imported. For an example, an apple tree. Water resources ii. Although, it produces other mineral resources like bauxite and manganese, the gold industry contributes more than 90 percent of total mineral revenues. Giving environmental permits to the industries and control pollution. The Minerals Commission – This commission is tasked with recommending the mineral policies for investors in the mining industry, The Environmental Protection Agency – They are given the overall responsibility for environmental issues related to mining. Religious monuments such as Larabanga Mosque which is among the oldest mosques in West Africa. HISTORICAL RESOURCES: Ghana has over 30 Forts and Castles i.e. This now brings us to the next question, how have the natural resources impacted the Ghanaian economy? Energy resources iii. For example, aeroplanes, trucks, rail cars, ships, bicycles and even the spaceships. The country is well endowed with natural resources and has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa. Types of natural resources. The economic impact of natural resource depletion - despite their important social and economic roles, natural resources in Ghana are overexploited and continue to decline in both quantity and quality. However, a report that was published in 2004 by two organizations, Global Witness Publishing Inc and Partnership Africa Canada, revealed that diamonds were being exploited in Ghana from as early as before 1989. Why so? What do people mean when they say they are blessed? The Guyanese economy is heavily dependent on natural resources such as arable land, minerals, and forests. It is not uncommon to find a person with a gold tooth. While its economy is one of the most successful in the region, it remains heavily dependent on international finance. 20 … Some of them include: Natural resources have a lot of positive as well as negative effects. Welcome to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. This is the major cause of wasteful exploitation of our natural resources. Ghana was called the Gold Coast due to the large deposits of gold that are found in the country. These include gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, and limestone. Using the 3 types of resources worksheets and printables, your young learner will gain a broader understanding of concepts and language surrounding capital, human, and natural resources in a fun and engaging way. Looking at the examples of natural resources, gold is one of those important ones. 7. Traditional Natural Resources Management Practices and Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana: A Review of Local Concepts and Issues on Change and Sustainability P. Sarfo-Mensah and W. Oduro NOTA DI LAVORO 90.2007 SEPTEMBER 2007 NRM – Natural Resources Management Sarfo-Mensah, P. Bureau of Integrated Rural Development, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Kwame Nkrumah … Mineral resources iv. Volume 2 Issue 4, April 2015 ISSN: 2394-4404 GIS And Remote Sensing Applications In Natural Resources Management Ruby Panwar Amit Kumar I. This black-and-white Sahelian structure has a distinct mud minaret with wooden poles jutting out, similar to other mosques in West Africa such as those found in Timbuktu, as well as other buildings with ancient Sudanese architecture. These resources include land, rocks, forests (vegetation), water (ocean, lakes, streams, seas, and rivers), fossil fuel, animals (fish, wild life, and domesticated animals)… Manganese has several uses. Ghana is Africa's largest gold producer, producing 80.5 t in 2008. Gold is a very precious metal that conducts electricity, is not easily breakable and can take up many forms without it being destroyed. It is a computer-based Some unscrupulous companies do not take the environmental degradation that their activities may cause seriously. You will be surprised to find out that the mining of minerals in Ghana contribute 5% of the country's GDP. Natural resource governance in Ghana, an inclusive, impact-driven management agenda Wind power is one form of natural energy. One of this companies was Paramount Mining Corporation Ltd that entered into an agreement with Leo Shield Exploration Ghana Ltd to try and find more diamond reserves. Have you ever experienced the feeling of satisfaction? The official language of Ghana is English, and the currency is the Ghana cedi (GHS). Learn more at www.resourcegovernance.org AFRICA IS A NATURAL RESOURCE-RICH CONTINENT, BUT ITS FULL … Land Tenure and Natural Resource Access in Northern Ghana – With a focus on women. With its support to the WRF2020 and SRI, Switzerland is making a relevant contribution to the sustainable extraction of natural resources and to a fair recovery of raw materials from waste.” They are very important to our life and existance. This is the most naturally occurring metallic mineral in Ghana, making Ghana the 2nd largest gold producer in... Crude Oil. Date Written: September 2007. Natural resources fall under two main categories: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources. NATURAL/ECOTOUTISM RESOURCES. Anything from air to gold are all resources. They are also the second producer of Cocoa in the world. Timber, gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, and oil contribute to making Ghana among the wealthier nations in West Africa. Natural resource management (NRM) is the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals, with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for both present and future generations (stewardship).. Natural resource management deals with managing the way in which people and natural landscapes interact. Small amounts of impurities can completely discolour a diamond blue or yellow for nitrogen and boron respectively. The British exploited and exported a variety of natural resources such as gold, metal ores, diamonds, ivory, pepper, timber, grain and cocoa. It, therefore, acquired its stake in the company that does the mining in Ghana. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has commissioned this country case study on natural resources management and sustainable development in Ghana, with particular reference to the gold sector. Ghana is situated in West Africa between latitudes of 4°N and 12°N, and longitudes of 4°W and 2°E. DISCLAIMER . windfall in Ghana The model features a natural resource sector, investment efficiency and absorptive capacity constraints, Dutch disease effects, and a resource fund. Switzerland, a country which has few mineral resources of its own, is a key importer of Ghana’s raw materials, such as gold and cocoa. They can either be used in their natural form or processed and manufactured into artificial products for consumption. Geography and Natural Resources. Internal revenue Mining of natural resources such as gold, diamond, salt etc., bring money when they are exported or processed into finished products and are sold. Looking at the... 3. In 2019, Ghana exported a total of $21.7B, making it the number 72 exporter in the world. Ghana has one of the stronger economies of sub-Sahara Africa due to its array of natural resources. My view. There is also the Bogoso gold mine and the Wassa gold mine that is operated by a Canadian company; Golden Star Resources. This body is also responsible for, READ ALSO: List Of Mining Companies In Ghana 2018, Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Ghana, Photos of Akua GMB and Dr Kwaku Oteng's rarely seen daughter pop up as she celebrates 2nd birthday with her father, Girl from small village in Upper East turns best graduating chartered accountant with 4 awards, Ghana Facts Life Hacks DIYS and Practical Tips. The Mining industry of Ghana accounts for 5% of the country's GDP and minerals make up 37% of total exports, of which gold contributes over 90% of the total mineral exports. Human resource must be trained in order to develop their skills to exploit our natural resource efficiently. It is predominantly an agricultural country. The Natural Resource Governance Institute, an independent, non-profit organization, helps people to realize the benefits of their countries’ oil, gas and mineral wealth through applied research, and innovative approaches to capacity development, technical advice and advocacy. Fuel minerals like coal, oil and natural gas have been given prime importance as they account for nearly 87% of the value of mineral production whereas metallic and non-metallic constitutes 6 … In 2011, the mining sector accounted for 56 percent of exports up from 12 percent in 2010 due to the recent discovery of oil in the country. Cacao and Major Commodities Ghana is enormously rich in natural resources and is able to use these commodities to foster economic growth. Thus, the main focus of Ghana's mining and minerals development industry remains focused on gold. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor (MP). Before this time, the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation(which the government had 55% in share capital) was the major gold producer in Ghana with only 20% of the gold in Ghana not being produced by them. Looking at the map of Ghana you will see that Akwaita is located in the Brim Valley. After the discovery, the government moved fast and established a diamond placer mine and operated the mine through the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Ltd (GCD). Ghana is continuing to lose its forest resources at an unsustainable rate. It was not until the year 2008 that commercially viable deposits of crude oil were discovered in Ghana. Forests . It is one of the most important natural resources not only in Ghana but also all around the whole world. For the records, the agrarian sector in the country employs up to 60% of the Ghanaian workforce which sums up about 44% of the country’s GDP. The 18th century saw the gold industry in Ghana grow significantly. Some electronic materials are coated using aluminium. Although Ghana has a wide range of minerals, only some—gold, diamonds, manganese, and bauxite (the principal ore of aluminum)—are exploited. The Mines Department – This is the department that is tasked with ensuring that the health and safety standards required in the mining industry are upheld. Well, if you... 2. The exploration of manganese in Ghana can be traced back to the early 1970s. Exclusive facts regarding the biggest gold producer in Africa. Nature has not distributed her resources equally as some countries are naturally endowed with resources whereas others are not. However, the exploitation of these resources, coupled with the overall lack of environmental awareness, has devastated the country's forests. Ghana is divided into ten regions, and its capital is Accra. However, if a diamond has some impurities, it becomes coloured. This can be derived from the fact that the government in 2005 looked to improve the exploits of the mineral by signing a memorandum of understanding to develop the industry including also putting in place infrastructure and improving the rail transport to help in the transportation of the mineral. This has formed the basis for the transport infrastructure in modern-day Ghana. Due to the high level of electrical conductivity of gold, it is not strange to find electrical appliances made with some gold. https://nigerianinfopedia.com.ng/ghana-natural-resources-found-in-ghana Types of Mineral Resources: Minerals in general have been categorized into three classes’ fuel, metallic and non-metallic. Let us look at the Ghana natural resources that are the greatest contributors to it's economy. Thus the formation of the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ghana’s rapid population growth is reflected in the rapid expansion of the Settlements land cover class. Some musical instruments, like guitars, are made using aluminium. The following two years saw the government release its hold of the AGC by opting to put in the market half of its share capital in the company. The ounces of fine gold would improve to over 1 million fine ounces in the year 1992. They went ahead to test the possibility of creating cement from the bauxite mining waste. Well, it is because of the various ways in which you can use the natural resource. December 23, 2016. The shares bagged a total of 250 million dollars which the government aimed at adding in its development agenda. If you have ever wondered what is meant by natural resources then you are in the right place. It is used in the making of making cooking utensils. Although, the agricultural sector remains a vital sector of the economy, there are other natural resources found in Ghana that makes it one of the richest countries in Africa. Overview of the Influence of Natural Resources and Population Distribution on Spatial Development in Ghana @article{Bukari2014OverviewOT, title={Overview of the Influence of Natural Resources and Population Distribution on Spatial Development in Ghana}, author={Francis Issahaku Malongza Bukari and R. Aabeyir and Prosper Laari Basommi}, journal={Journal of … Ghana is considered as one of the major exporters of manganese in the world. They must also report which government entity receives the payment, and must break down the payment data by project, where applicable. Oil production in Ghana started in 2011. 5 pros and cons of being in small scale mining industry. Ghana has one of the stronger economies of sub-Sahara Africa due to its array of natural resources. The Chamber of Mines – This is the body that mining companies’ representatives sit in. Renewable resorces is something that can be renewed. The Guyanese government estimated that in 2015, roughly 83.95% of the country’s total land area was covered with forests. Gold in Ghana. Well, if you did, let me correct you. There are different mines across the region that are operated by different gold mining companies. ... Land pertains to all natural physical resources, including all raw materials used in the manufacture of goods and services. Oil in Ghana. He is a tech enthusiast who loves reading, writing and research. Ghana is the second-largest gold producer in Africa. Ghana will devolve increasing power to Regional and District Assemblies in the coming years. Manganese is also used in aluminium alloys. You should know that diamond is the hardest mineral in the world. Do you know why gold is so expensive? The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Diana Acconcia has today 31st March, 2021 paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Examples of such countries include; South Africa, Ghana, DR. Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Rwanda etc. Improvement of the economy – natural resources are harnessed and for a country like Ghana, they are exported. The deal would also include the improvement of bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium production. There are several things used in construction that are made by aluminium including windows, roofs and building wires. Ghana has a wide range of natural resources– extensive fishing, arable land, forests, sizeable mineral deposits as well as crude oil reserves and natural gas. The next year, the oil production had reached a high of 1.9 million barrels. in agriculture, natural resources and poverty reduction Case study of Ghana’s Upper East Region Saa Dittoh, Katherine Ann Snyder and Nicole Lefore LED BY: RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT (R4D) LEARNING SERIES 3 ISSN 2522-7076 . Natural resources include oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, and sand. However, the exploitation of these resources, coupled with the overall lack of environmental awareness, has devastated the country's forests. However, if the practice is not closely monitored, there is bound to be a large number of negative effects that may arise. conducting investigations into environmental issues, Coordinating the activities of bodies concerned with the technical aspects of the environment for the purpose of controlling the generation, treatment, storage, transportation, and disposal of industrial waste, Ensuring compliance with environmental impact assessment procedures, Issuing environmental permits and pollution abatement notices, Making recommendations to the Government for the protection of the environment, Prescribing standards and guidelines related to the pollution of air, water, and land, They also help in protecting and improving the quality of the environment, Finally securing the control and prevention of discharge waste into the environment among several other functions. Natural resources in Ghana 1. The AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, one of the largest gold producers in the world, operates a number mines including the Iduapriem, the Bibiani, and the Obuasi gold mines. Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, CANR, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. NATURAL/ECOTOUTISM RESOURCES. This is because aluminium is very resistant to corrosion and it is very light. You have entered an incorrect email address! The domestic economy revolves around subsistence agriculture (mainly small land holders) which accounts for 37.3% of GDP and employs 60% of the work force. Akwaita was where the diamonds were first found in Ghana. For this reason, the Ghanaian government came up with the idea of forming a body to help deal with this situation. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Indeed, Ghana is not new to natural resources exploitation , gold mining for example has being taking place in Ghana for over hundred years, yet poverty and corruption remain the key development challenges. Ghana currently has one of the strongest economies of West Africa's countries due to its richness of natural resources. Top 10 mineral resources in Ghana Gold. In 2010 production commenced. Renewable includes wind, water, solar power, etc. Ghana is Africa's largest gold producer, producing 80.5 t in 2008. Ghanaians have been drilling oil for quite some time; then, in 2008, Kosmos Energy LLC struck liquid gold. Gold has been and is still being used as a currency. woodland resource have been very limited. In another area, the company discovered 72 diamonds.This also in the year 2006. What has Ghana done to avoid the resource curse syndrome? The ability of the mineral to improve the resistance of corrosion makes it very resourceful in creating aluminium alloys. Explore types of communities, energy, clouds, landmarks, plants, food, oceans, and much more. (See Table 1.) Ghana is endowed with abundant natural resources, which have played a key role in the development efforts of the country. Thus, the main focus of Ghana's mining and minerals development industry remains focused on gold. The reason why gold is used in dentistry is that it is nonallergic and can be shaped easily and will not easily break. Ghana is a country endowed with various abundant natural resources. Resources is a very broad term, it is basically anything that can be considered a valuable addition. The government also wanted to have a stake in the mining of aluminium. The Ghana economy is driven agriculture and natural resources. We all know that numbers don’t lie right? The Gender Integration plan was made possible through the generous support of the American A Study of Natural Resource Utilization in Ghana. When you look at the map of Ghana, you will notice that it is a relatively small country located in West Africa in the Gulf of Guinea coast, these mineral resources locations are not in a particular area or region. Some of the uses of gold are; Do you know that over 70% of the gold that is mined in the world is used to make jewellery? Since then, the exploitation of this mineral has continued all over the country. The country is endowed with rich natural resources. The Larabanga Mosque in the Northern region is the oldest mosque in Ghana, and one of the oldest in West Africa, thought to date back to 1421. The natural resources of Ghana are, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas and timber. This was excluding the oil destined for the Takoradi thermal power-plant. Energy sources like the sun, wind, and water are all considered to be modern alternatives to fossil fuels.Since the 19th century, humans have relied on fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil, to power their homes, light lamps, run engines, and fly planes. Natural resources are materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain. The exporting of these natural resources bring an income to the government and this leads to increased capital for the government to continue with the improvement of the economy. However, there have been some steps that have been taken by The Building and Road Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of Ghana to examine the possibility of producing cement in Ghana. The table below will help us understand this better. Given the political These include gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, and limestone. Nigeria today is … Some of the negative effects include pollution. This was tasked with the creation of rule and regulations to govern all the aspects of the environment. Some of the positive effects of natural resources include; Creation of employment – the companies that seek to exploit natural resources need a workforce and for this reason, they seek to employ the local citizens. He is currently the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Member of Parliament for the Damango Constituency of the Savannah Region in Ghana. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Most countries in Africa are blessed with lots of resources such as gold, diamond, crude oil, vast lands inter alia. Natural resources are what occurs in nature in their original, untouched form – unless of course man disturbs this. Let us take a look at the two broad types of resources - natural resources and man-made resources. This also includes trees and fish and game (as long as they are not over-harvested and are allowed to regenerate). There are various natural resources in Ghana which have been and continue to be exploited. The various communities in Ghana have different natural resources they depend on in order to develop their communities. Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb, they said cash crops such as cocoa, cashew, timber, rubber and other plantations are under serious production in the region, and would contribute heavily to the prospects of agriculture in Western North. The revenue collected from the mineral industry includes the tax charged on the employees working for the companies, corporate taxes from the companies and also through the payment of mineral royalties. Samuel Abu Jinapor has today, 9th March, 2021 asked Management of his Ministry to exhibit loyalty, transparency and teamwork at all levels to help among others solve the many challenges confronting the Sector. The four types of economic resources are labor, land, capital and entrepreneurship. For example, the people of Ada depend on salt mining, the people of Obuasi also depend on gold etc. Africa … Are classify in RENEWABLE NON RENEWABLE It can conserve and recover, if we can take care and explote in a good way. They include; Do you think it was just by chance that the colonialists called Ghana the “Gold Coast” ? 540 kilometres coastline with sandy beaches, Waterfalls, (Kintampo Waterfall, Wli … Not satisfied? 0 0. In 2017, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed him as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of operations at the Office of the President. It is believed that diamonds were first mined in India. Chizoba is a seasoned Information blogger, content developer and the founder of Nigerian Infopedia. Ghana currently has one of the strongest economies of West Africa's countries due to its richness of natural resources. 5 stereotypes about tourist sites In Ghana that aren't always true. Examples of natural resources include water (seas, ocean, rivers, streams, and lakes), land, air, forests, sunlight, rocks, minerals, animals, fossil fuel among others. One element of this will place control over natural resources in the hands of these bodies. Geography. The gold from this two regions was mostly from the various underground mines and in the central region and Ashanti region, some gold came from the river beds in those regions. This deal was seen as a stepping stone in the revival of the five existing potlines at the idled Valco smelter, that is said to have a capacity to produce about 120,000 metric tonnes of aluminium per year. Renewable Resorces are important because if you couldn't plant stuff from other plants then we would not be able … Corpus ID: 54578685. Oil has been mined in Ghana since the late 19th century. Ghana, like most West African countries, has daunting environmental challenges since its economic development depends directly on natural resources… Some of the natural resources available in Ghana include gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt and limestone among others. This important and highly valuable mineral was discovered by the small-scale miners. INTRODUCTION A geographic information system (GIS) captures, stores, analyses, manages, and presents data, which is linked to locations or having spatial distribution. With all these well endowed mineral & natural resources found in Ghana, the country boasts to have twice the per capita output of the poorest countries in West Africa as Gold, timber, cocoa, diamond, bauxite, and manganese exports are major sources of her foreign exchange. Companies must categorize payments into one of seven payment types, such as taxes and royalties. km (slightly smaller than Oregon) Capital: Accra Border countries: Burkina Faso to the north, Cote d'Ivoire to the west, and Togo to the east. The types of business resources will impact the sustainability of the organization along with its profitability.For example, if the organization achieves double the sales target decided, and the company starts to grow rapidly, then the company will keep on growing only if you understand what key resources are and which key resources are impacting increased demand. Ghana was mostly importing cement. v. Training of human resources. These minerals are mined and exported from the country. Well, it is because of all the natural resources in Ghana. Ghana is endowed with a lot of natural resources but we lack trained and skilled people to exploit these natural resources. The people who do … Ocean Drop Water Resources Ltd has two broad business activities - Retail and Manufacturing. Proper utilization of these resources is one of the primary reasons for Guyana’s economic growth. 1 decade ago. READ ALSO: Best Investment Companies in Ghana. It was tasked with, among other things, working in conjunction with other government bodies and international bodies with an aim of ensuring the mining activities do not negatively affect the environment. Abstract. The four natural resources are renewable, living, non renewable, and fossil fuels. Elmina and Cape Coast castles, Manhyia Palace Museum which has historic relics and artifacts of Ashanti Kings. An example of the impurities that affect diamonds is nitrogen and boron. Their share in the market would later be reduced by almost 30% as other players came into the market. Specifically, in the early 18th century, most of the gold that was coming from Ghana originated from the Ashanti and Western region. The kind of resources that help fuel the economy by creating employment and also bringing the country a lot of revenue. Do you think it was just by chance that the colonialists called Ghana the “Gold Coast” ? Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. The oil deposits in Ghana are believed to be the 6th largest in Africa. The minerals that Ghana exports are responsible for 35% of the total revenue that is collected by the government. The country’s domestic energy resources are crude oil, natural gas, hydropower and other renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and traditional biomass. Ghana is in West Africa Area: 238,540 sq. They consist of all things that do not come under man-made creations, where what we see around us that takes its course without the intervention of humans, is what would account as a natural … Cacao, diamonds and manganese are some of the resources naturally found in Ghana. It is found in almost all devices including mobile phones, televisions, HDMI cable and many more. Gold Fields Ltd which is a South African company controls the Damang gold mine and the US-based Newmont Mining Corp mine in the Ahafo and the Akyem gold mines. Most diamonds are aged between 1 billion years to 3 billion years old and thus explains their expensive nature.