Surface mining and community livelihood: The case of Teberebie electoral area of Wassa West district of Ghana

Abstract

Mining is assuming importance in the economies of mineral-endowed developing nations. These countries have developed new minerals and mining codes to attract Foreign Direct Investment on a massive scale. The benefits and costs of mining have become a contentious issue. The study assessed the implication of mining on the livelihood of the communities affected by mining within the Teberebie Electoral Area of Wassa West District of Ghana based on the concept of sustainable development. The study has revealed that surface mining activities have taken away family and stool lands to the detriment of other land users such as farmers. The destruction of agricultural lands, standing forest and rivers has created livelihood problems for community people especially women. Mining has destroyed rural economies and disrupted the social structure of communities. Government has disregarded the fact that farmers have invested in cash crops for sustained incomes. Lands allocated to mining companies without the consent of the farmers and other land users, have generated conflicts. Alternative livelihood programmes by mining companies did not generated adequate income for affected people. Mining communities believe mining is not bringing development and government should place a moratorium on surface mining to assess the real cost of mining to the country before lands are given out for new surface mining. They further recommend that government should develop a mining policy that increases revenue for Ghana, protects the rights of communities and minimise environmental degradation.