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Shifting sands: changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana

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  • Elaine Lawson
  • Gloria Bentil

Abstract

The contribution of mining to the Ghanaian economy has been substantial. The mining sector is currently a major foreign exchange earner and contributes to long-term capital formation and fiscal payment to the state. However, the industry continues to have adverse consequences on the lives of local community dwellers, most of whom are often unprepared to deal with these impacts. Often, new mining exploration takes place on land that provides land-based livelihood to many rural people. Ironically, compensation payments seem to worsen poverty in the mining communities and bring about the social conflicts. Hence, whilst communities are highly welcoming of mining companies during exploration, they become resentful during operation of the mine. Using two communities in the Asutifi District of Ghana as case studies, this paper presents a candid assessment of the changes that occur in respondents’ perception of mining during, before and after the inception of mining. It also examines the gender dimensions of the impacts of mining activities as well as the communities’ sources of information. Since public participation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process in Ghana, the paper concludes by recommending among others, precise channels of communication and dialogue before mining begins and during the operation of the mine, to increase awareness among community members. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Elaine Lawson & Gloria Bentil, 2014. "Shifting sands: changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 217-238, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:16:y:2014:i:1:p:217-238
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-013-9472-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Walsh, Bríd & van der Plank, Sien & Behrens, Paul, 2017. "The effect of community consultation on perceptions of a proposed mine: A case study from southeast Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 163-171.
    6. Idemudia, Uwafiokun & Tuokuu, Francis Xavier D. & Essah, Marcellinus, 2022. "The extractive industry and human rights in Africa: Lessons from the past and future directions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
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    8. Lawer, Eric Tamatey & Lukas, Martin C. & Jørgensen, Stig H., 2017. "The neglected role of local institutions in the ‘resource curse’ debate. Limestone mining in the Krobo region of Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 43-52.
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    12. Evans Asante Boadi & Zheng He & Josephine Bosompem & Joy Say & Eric Kofi Boadi, 2019. "Let the Talk Count: Attributes of Stakeholder Engagement, Trust, Perceive Environmental Protection and CSR," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(1), pages 21582440198, January.
    13. Lyon Salia Awuah & Kwame Oduro Amoako & Stephen Yeboah & Emmanuel Opoku Marfo & Peter Ansu-Mensah, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): motivations and challenges of a Multinational Enterprise (MNE) subsidiary’s engagement with host communities in Ghana," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-13, December.
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