Relocation of WASSA West Communities By Large Scale Gold Mining Ventures and Its Socio-Economic Implications

ABSTRACT
New Teberebie and New Atuabo communities have been hit badly by Relocation. New Teberebie and New Atuabo are resettled communities of Old Teberebie and Old Atuabo and its surrounding communities by Teberbie Goldfields Limited in 1990/91 and Goldfields Limited in 1997 respectively. The general objective of the study was to look at the socio-economic implications of Large Scale Gold Mining on affected relocated communities in Wassa West. Issues investigated were the impact of relocation on livelihoods and alternative livelihoods and the perceptions of community members of the effect of relocation on their personal well-being among others. With respect to methodology, research design for the study was the social survey method and qualitative in nature. Structured interview was the main instrument used for the data collection through Focus Group Discussion from the members of the two communities. Some of the findings were that relocation has led to some level of joblessness in the two communities, loss of livelihoods and the provision of alternative livelihood of which majority of the affected respondent not earning a living from the new livelihoods given. The perceptions in terms of socio-economic implications of relocation on the future of the communities were that it will lead to increases in crimes, conflicts, poverty, health problems and decrease in land for agriculture among others. From landlessness to land-based relocation, from joblessness to reemployment provision of good compensation, payment of monthly allowances to these who were having farmlands for loss of livelihoods and terminating mining rights of mining companies who flout the Minerals and Mining Law, 2006 among others were the recommendations made.