Impact of illegal small-scale mining on the livelihood of the residents of East Akyem municipality

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of illegal small-scale mining on the livelihood of the residents of East Akyem Municipality. The study area for the study is East Akyem Municipality which is located in the central part of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study made use of the mix method approach which had to do with both qualitative and quantitative research design. The study further used questionnaire for primary data collection, and the data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings of the study were that; even though illegal small-scale mining is a lucrative and crucial source of employment for the people of East Akyem Municipality due to the non-availability of employment opportunities, and also help facilitates economic activities, it has a significant negative impact on the livelihood of the residents of East Akyem Municipality. Per the negative impact of illegal small-scale mining on the residents of East Akyem Municipality, the researcher of this study gives amongst many the following recommendations; that parents be educated on the value of formal education to encourage their wards to stay in school, rather than engaging themselves in the activities of illegal mining; creating alternative livelihood opportunities such as farming, just so indigenes are not driven to engage in illegal mining activities.