Even though donkeys have been extensively used by people in many areas in the world their use has been synonymous with backwardness,underdevelopment and low status.In a qualitative and quantitative study of 120 households located within the Kassena Nankana Municipality,this study sought to provide an overview of the consequences of 'development' for donkey use and management. The study also tried to show how the use of donkeys had enabled these people to withstand some of the threats to their lives and livelihoods. The work provides several examples of how these different uses ensured the survival of women and men in hostile environments and enables them to integrate into the social and economic processes from which they are often excluded.