Civil society organisations and state relations in the management of mining-related conflicts in the Asutifi North District, Ghana.

Abstract

The study examined the relations between CSOs and government institutions in the management of mining-related conflicts in the Asutifi North District of Ghana. The qualitative research approach was adopted for the study. Through the purposive sampling procedure, key respondents from government institutions, CSOs and individual members of the district were interviewed. Although the Asutifi North District was relatively peaceful before the arrival of Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL), there were pockets of conflicts ranging from land and boundary disputes between paramountcies and families and unlawful hostage of properties belonging to community members. However, the trend of conflicts changed following the establishment of NGGL in the district. The study identified conflicts over compensation, spillage, displacement, unemployment etc., as a major cause of conflict in the district. It was realized that the success of maintaining a relatively peaceful environment in the wake of the conflicts, centred on series of committees and meetings organized by both CSOs and government institutions on matters affecting their coexistence and their development in general. Ineffective monitoring by government institutions such as EPA and Minerals Commission was noted as a likely trigger of conflict. Further, delay in the payment of royalties and the police reactions towards demonstrations were seen as an impediment to peaceful relations. The study recommended that the historical boundaries between Kenyase No. 1 and 2 which the Asantehene (Otumfuor) seek to resolve should include the active participation of all stakeholders in the district and witnessed by government actors. It was also recommended that royalties be paid on time by the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, and a well-established office provided for EPA, Lands and Natural Resources and Water Resource Commission for efficient and effective monitoring of mining activities in the district.