Mining and community conflict, a case study of Anglogold Ashanti and Sanso community in the Obuasi municipality

Abstract

One can not dispute the fact that AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) has contributed to the development of Sanso community. Nevertheless, its activities in the community have been a source of worry and at times have caused clashes between AGA security guards and the people of Sanso especially the youth. The study was all about finding the factors that fuel conflicts between AGA and the people of Sanso, knowing the effects of such conflicts on AGA and Sanso, finding out whether AGA has implemented any mining intervention in Sanso and the extent of appreciation by the local people. It also sought to find out some of the measures that are used to resolve conflict situations in the area. The research was a purely qualitative one with case study as its design. The participants selected for the study were 22. The selection of the participants was done using non- probability sampling techniques such as snowballing sampling, purposive sampling and convenience sampling. The data for the study was collected through the use of open- ended questionnaire, semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. Three police personnel and four AGA staffs were given the open-ended questionnaire to answer. Three opinion leaders, two AGA security guards and one person from the Obuasi Municipal Assembly were involved in the semi-structured interviews. The last group the researcher contacted was the galamsey operators and they were nine. They were involved in focus group discussion. Data collected from these participants were analyzed qualitatively using the thematic method. After the presentation and discussion of data, it came out that, AGA not employing the local folks, AGA not performing its social obligations very well towards the people of Sanso, AGA planning to reconnect Sanso community to the ECG power supply for the people of Sanso to pay light bill were some of the factors that have fueled conflicts between AGA and Sanso community. The study also revealed that, injuries and deaths have been recorded in instances where there have been clashes between AGA security guards and the people of Sanso especially the galamsey operators. From the study, during such clashes, the economic activities of the people slow down affecting their livelihoods. It came to light that, the people of Sanso do not appreciate the social interventions implemented by AGA in the community. This has made them to develop negative and unfavourable attitude towards AGA and its interventions. The results from the study showed that, only one means was used to resolve the conflicts and that was dialogue. In general, some of the recommendations made are, creation of jobs for the local folks, establishment of special office at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to deal with mining related issues that have the tendency of causing serious clashes in the mining communities.