Management of land-based resources for sustainable development : policy recommendations

Abstract

This paper states that the development strategy of most African countries, since independence, has depended mainly upon the exploitation of their natural resources. These include agriculture, minerals, energy, water and other biological resources. Unfortunately, the strategy did not bring about the expected results but created environmental degradation and increased poverty (World Bank, 2003). The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) noted that the efforts to achieve sustainable development have been hindered by "conflicts, insufficient investment, limited market access opportunities and supply side constraints, unsustainable debt burdens, historically declining levels of official development assistance and the impact of HIV/AIDS." (United Nations, 2003 p.36). The situation was exacerbated by the lack of land and land resources use planning couple with overall inappropriate socio-economic policies.