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Perception of Small-Scale Miners on Interventions to Eradicate Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Ghana

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  • Rejoice Selorm Wireko-Gyebi
  • Michael Osei Asibey
  • Owusu Amponsah
  • Rudith Sylvana King
  • Imoro Braimah
  • Godfred Darko
  • Anne Mette Lykke

Abstract

The proliferation of illegal mining in Ghana, coupled with its environmental impacts, especially on water bodies has compelled the government to ban all artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities in the country. The ban is intended to promote environmental sustainability while the government takes steps to provide sustainable health, and environmental-friendly ASM in Ghana. This paper assesses the perception of registered miners on the current approach by the Ghanaian government to stop illegal mining. Analyses of data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed that the miners felt “left out†of the entire process. They maintained that they were not directly involved in the process to ban illegal mining in Ghana. To them, the proliferation of illegal mining in Ghana is the result of non-performing government institutions, corruption, and cumbersome licensing procedures. The article calls for improvement in the collaboration between the government and miners through a simplified participatory framework for the management of ASM in Ghana.

Suggested Citation

  • Rejoice Selorm Wireko-Gyebi & Michael Osei Asibey & Owusu Amponsah & Rudith Sylvana King & Imoro Braimah & Godfred Darko & Anne Mette Lykke, 2020. "Perception of Small-Scale Miners on Interventions to Eradicate Illegal Small-Scale Mining in Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:10:y:2020:i:4:p:2158244020963668
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244020963668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wireko-Gyebi, Rejoice Selorm & Asibey, Michael Osei & Baah-Ennumh, Theresa Yaaba, 2022. "Planning for the effective and sustainable management of Ghana’s artisanal small-scale gold mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    2. Achina-Obeng, Rebecca & Aram, Simon Appah, 2022. "Informal artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana: Assessing environmental impacts, reasons for engagement, and mitigation strategies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Nunoo, Isaac & Boansi, David & Owusu, Victor, 2023. "Does the use of cocoa farmlands for artisanal small-scale gold mining really increase household food insecurity? Evidence from Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    4. Anwar Endris Hassen, 2022. "Competency oriented management for sustainable artisanal and small‐scale mining sector development in Ethiopia," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 46(1), pages 116-135, February.

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