Social pressures, personal dispositions and environmental degradation: A study of small-scale gold mining in Denkyira area of the Central Region, Ghana

Abstract

The dominant narrative is that, factors driving small-scale gold mining (SSGM) and its negative impacts are poverty, unemployment, global economic order and ineffective enforcement of mining laws. Therefore, successive governments rely on provision of alternative livelihood strategies (improved methods of farming, skills training and strict enforcement of mining laws) to stop this problem. However, these measures have failed to produce the desired results. Hence, this study examines how social pressures and personal dispositions drive people into SSGM in the Denkyira area, Central Region, Ghana. Methodologically, the mixed-methods approach guided the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 183 registered miners and their workers while convenience sampling was used to select 190 unregistered miners and their workers. Also, purposive sampling was used to select 22 key informants. Inferential and descriptive statistics such as binary logistic regression, independent t-test and frequencies were used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data was analysed based on emerging themes. The study revealed that, material success acquired by friends and family who are miners enticed others to engage in mining. Symbolic meaning people attached to money as a mark of material success also drives people into mining. Miners used the reward of the mines to garner the support of the locals and mined recklessly. Thus, negative impacts of SSGM such as open pits and destruction of water bodies were rampant in the area. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the District Assemblies should produce documentaries on the problems associated with irresponsible mining activities and screen them in all the communities to educate residents on the risks irresponsible mining poses to them.