Basic 9 · Social Studies · Our Natural and Human Resources
Natural Resources and Ghana's Development
In this topic you will examine natural resources, identify Ghana's key natural resources and discuss their importance to national development.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain and classify natural resources
- Identify Ghana's key natural resources
- Discuss the importance and management of resources
What you already know
- Resources of Ghana
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Our Natural and Human Resources
- Indicator
- B9.1.1.4.1 – Examine the importance of natural resources to the development of Ghana
Introduction
Ghana was once called the Gold Coast, for good reason. Its soils, rivers, forests and minerals have shaped its history.
1. What Are Natural Resources?
Natural resources: Useful materials and features provided by nature.
| Type | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| renewable | can be replaced naturally | forests, fish, solar energy |
| non-renewable | cannot be replaced quickly | gold, oil, bauxite |
| flow | always moving | wind, sunlight, rivers |
2. Ghana's Natural Resources
| Resource | Location | Use |
|---|---|---|
| gold | Obuasi, Tarkwa | exports, jewellery |
| cocoa land | forest zones | cocoa exports |
| bauxite | Awaso, Nyinahin | aluminium |
| manganese | Nsuta | steel-making |
| diamonds | Akwatia | industry, jewellery |
| oil and gas | Western offshore | fuel and power |
| timber | forest zones | furniture, exports |
| salt | Ada, Keta | food, industry |
| fish | sea and Lake Volta | food, jobs |
| rivers | Volta, Pra, Tano | water, power |
3. Land and Soil
Land is Ghana's most widely used resource. Forest zones are good for cocoa, and the savannah zones are suited to yams, millet, shea and livestock. Land ownership in Ghana is often customary, with stools, skins and families holding much of the land. This shapes how resources are managed and who benefits from them.
4. Natural Beauty and Tourism
Natural features such as Kakum National Park, Wli Falls, Mole National Park and Lake Bosomtwe draw tourists. Beaches and waterfalls are a resource as well, because visitors bring income. If they are polluted or poorly managed, these benefits are lost.
5. Using Resources Wisely
Non-renewable resources will run out. Gold mined today cannot be mined again. Even renewable resources can be destroyed, if they are overused: forests can be cut faster than they grow, and fish can be overfished. Wise management, called sustainable use, ensures that resources benefit today's citizens as well as future ones. This is a challenge that you will face as an adult.
6. Knowing Your Local Resources
Every district has its own resources. Find out what is found in yours, who uses it and how it could benefit more people.
New words
- natural resource
- A useful material from nature.
- renewable
- Replaced naturally.
- non-renewable
- Not quickly replaced.
- sustainable use
- Using resources without destroying them.
Summary
- Natural resources may be renewable or non-renewable.
- Ghana has gold, cocoa, oil, timber and more.
- Resources must be managed sustainably.
Class activity: Resource Map
- Draw a map of Ghana.
- Mark the main resources.
- Share where they are found.
You need: Cocoa pod, Printed photograph of gold-bearing rock, Map of Ghana's natural resources
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is non-renewable?
- A. gold
- B. fish
- C. forests
- D. sunlight
Show answer
Answer: goldType.2. Bauxite is mined at…
- A. Awaso
- B. Accra
- C. Tamale
- D. Ho
Show answer
Answer: AwasoLocation.3. Ghana has offshore oil.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueResource.4. Manganese is mined at ______.
Show answer
Answer: NsutaLocation.5. Give three of Ghana's natural resources.
Show answer
Answer: Gold, cocoa land and timber.Any three.6. Explain sustainable use.
Show answer
Answer: Using resources so that they also benefit future generations.Term.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Our Natural and Human Resources
- Indicator
- B9.1.1.4.1 – Examine the importance of natural resources to the development of Ghana
Introduction
Having resources does not make a country rich. What matters is how they are used.
1. How Resources Support Development
| Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| income | exports bring foreign exchange |
| jobs | mining, farming, fishing |
| government revenue | taxes and royalties |
| energy | hydro, oil, gas |
| food | farming and fishing |
| industry | raw materials |
| infrastructure | roads, schools, hospitals |
Gold, cocoa and oil are Ghana's leading exports. Ghana has been Africa's leading gold producer in recent years, and it is one of the world's top cocoa producers. Revenue from these products helps to pay for schools, roads and hospitals.
2. Adding Value
Selling raw materials brings less money than selling finished goods. Ghana exports cocoa beans, but much of the world's chocolate is made elsewhere. If more processing took place locally, there would be more jobs and more income. Ghana's aluminium smelter, VALCO, processes alumina, and the government has plans for an integrated bauxite industry. Adding value is key to industrial development.
3. The Resource Curse
Resource curse: When resource wealth fails to help a country, or even harms it.
Some countries rich in resources remain poor. Revenue may be lost through corruption, and conflict may arise over who controls a resource. Reliance on one export makes a country vulnerable to changes in world prices. The environment suffers too. Ghana has tried to learn from others. The Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) governs how oil money is used, and the Public Interest and Accountability Committee reports on it to the public.
4. Challenges
| Challenge | Example |
|---|---|
| galamsey | polluted rivers and lost farmland |
| corruption | loss of public funds |
| foreign ownership | profits leave the country |
| falling prices | less income |
| environmental damage | forests and land lost |
| local conflict | disputes over land and royalties |
5. Who Benefits?
Communities that live near mines often suffer pollution and lose their land, while gaining few benefits. Fair sharing requires good laws and honest leaders. The Constitution says that minerals belong to the people, and that they are vested in the President on their behalf. The Minerals Commission regulates mining. Citizens can ask how revenues are spent. A rich country is one whose resources improve the lives of all.
New words
- revenue
- Money received by government.
- export
- Goods sold to other countries.
- royalty
- Payment for the use of a resource.
- value addition
- Processing goods to raise their worth.
Summary
- Resources bring income, jobs and revenue.
- Adding value creates more wealth.
- Good management avoids the resource curse.
Class activity: Value Chain
- Choose a resource, such as cocoa.
- Trace it from farm to finished product.
- Say who earns the most.
You need: Cocoa pod, Printed photograph of gold-bearing rock, Map of Ghana's natural resources
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Goods sold to other countries are…
- A. exports
- B. imports
- C. taxes
- D. loans
Show answer
Answer: exportsTerm.2. Ghana's oil money is governed by…
- A. the Petroleum Revenue Management Act
- B. the Children's Act
- C. the Road Act
- D. the Labour Act
Show answer
Answer: the Petroleum Revenue Management ActLaw.3. Selling raw materials brings less money than finished goods.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueValue.4. Money received by government is ______.
Show answer
Answer: revenueTerm.5. State three ways resources support development.
Show answer
Answer: Income, jobs and energy.Any three.6. What is the resource curse?
Show answer
Answer: When resource wealth fails to help a country, or leads to harm.Term.
Homework
- Write a paragraph on how one resource could benefit your community.