The enthusiasm with which Ghana's natural resources, particularly mineral and forest products, have been exploited during the past century, has resulted in serious environmental degradation in many of the resource-rich areas. The impression has been created, and accepted, that the existence of these resources constitutes a sound basis for social and economic development, and precipitous steps have therefore been taken to utilize these resources—irrespective of the consequences on the natural environment. The present situation is that the costs of utilizing the country's forests, minerals, and soils, are obviously high, when estimated in terms of environmental degradation, and even higher, when calculated in terms of risk of depletion.

There is evidence of the realization, particularly among decision-makers, of environmental and ecological harm having been done through past development, and although there is general concern over inadequate ‘resources’ to rectify existing damages, steps are being taken to ensure long-term integrated management in the future of the country's remaining resources. For example, a national Environmental Protection Council has been established to coordinate all activities relating to the environment, and to advise the government in environmental matters (Dorm-Adzobu, 1980). One of the major concerns of the Council is the education of the public, to understand and appreciate the values of a healthy environment.

Faced with the necessity to combine development and environment in the use of natural resources, developing countries, most of which are basically concerned with nursing ailing economies, have a difficult decision to make—a decision which will not only affect the present developmental process but also have implications for the future. In the interests of a sustained future, such a decision must be based on a serious consideration of the conservational and socio-cultural aspects of natural resource use.