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A review from environmental management to environmental governance: paradigm shift for sustainable mining practice in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Guang Li

    (Jilin Jianzhu University, Ministry of Education)

  • Desmond Ato Koomson

    (Hohai University, Ministry of Education)

  • Jingyu Huang

    (Hohai University, Ministry of Education)

  • Ebenezer Impriam Amponsah

    (Hohai University)

  • Williams Kweku Darkwah

    (Hohai University, Ministry of Education)

  • Nicholas Miwornunyuie

    (Hohai University, Ministry of Education)

  • Ke Li

    (Jilin Jianzhu University, Ministry of Education)

  • Xiaohang Dong

    (Jilin Jianzhu University, Ministry of Education)

Abstract

Industries in Ghana, over the centuries and for the sake of developments, have degraded the environment by polluting the air, water, and land through agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and other processes such as exploration of natural resources. The environmental policies in Ghana have been more of state "regulation" or "management" than "environmental governance" overseen by state ministries and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nevertheless, environmental degradation due to mining activities has been on the increase than ever. This article calls for the need of a change of the environmental policy framework in the mining sector in Ghana from state regulations to environmental governance. It presents "voluntary agreement" as one of the capable instruments in environmental governance for the mining industry. It also addresses the causes of the lack of application of the existing environmental policy framework in the mining industry and the future implications if the government continues with this framework. It also examines the possibility of the state and the mining industry to embrace the paradigm shift in environmental policies. Lastly, due to insufficient literature available on environmental sociology and environmental governance in Ghana, it serves as the literature for future research on other areas of environmental governance and environmental sociology in Ghana.

Suggested Citation

  • Guang Li & Desmond Ato Koomson & Jingyu Huang & Ebenezer Impriam Amponsah & Williams Kweku Darkwah & Nicholas Miwornunyuie & Ke Li & Xiaohang Dong, 2021. "A review from environmental management to environmental governance: paradigm shift for sustainable mining practice in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 9710-9724, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:23:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1007_s10668-020-01050-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-01050-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Panagiotis Karamanos, 2001. "Voluntary Environmental Agreements: Evolution and Definition of a New Environmental Policy Approach," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(1), pages 67-84.
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    1. Mai Dong Tran & Samuel Adomako, 2022. "How environmental reputation and ethical behavior impact the relationship between environmental regulatory enforcement and environmental performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2489-2499, July.

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