SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF IMMIGRANTS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE MINING SECTOR OF GHANA

ABSTRACT

Globally, mining activities are mostly deemed to affect the environment negatively especially in developing countries. In view of this, it is important to examine the security implication of immigrant’s participation in the mining sector in Ghana with emphasis on Adaase mining community. The research design adopted for the study was a mixed method. The sample size was made up of 105 respondents selected through simple random sampling technique. Instruments used for the study were structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The result shows that general knowledge of illegal small-scale mining was evident in the study area (86.7%) with foreigners in such mining activities constituting more than a quarter. Again, the most immediate effect from illegal mining activities on the environment was the reduction in forest cover and pollution of water bodies. Furthermore, dust pollution experienced from surface mining was dust particles in the air that affected people of the community. The finding revealed that negative impact of mining on farming activities was the absence of water for crops and lack of cultivated lands. With respect to the migrant level of involvement in mining activities, the outcome shows that migrants were backed by some influential people in the community as a result of their financial resources. It is concluded that perception about immigrant’s mining activities affected the community negatively since key resources such as land, water bodies and forest covers suffered the most. It is recommended that the government of Ghana through its agencies responsible for mining and its related activities should ensure strict compliance of mining regulations to curtail the illegal mining activities and reduce its effects on such communities.