Abstract:
The study was designed to examine the prospects and challenges of Operation
Vanguard in the Upper Denkyira West District. In conducting the study, the case
study design was used. A sample size of twenty-two participants was selected for
the study using the purposive and convenient sampling techniques. The data were
analysed qualitatively. The main findings from the research are that Operation
Vanguard has two other parallel operations running alongside it. These are
GalamSTOP and the Small-Scale Miners Association Task Force. Operation
Vanguard appears militarised involving the use of weapons and force on miners.
The operation is faced with challenges, including military limitations, political
challenges and economic challenges. There were socio-cultural factors that were
also affecting Operation Vanguard. In terms of prospects, the future of Operation
Vanguard appears bleak and unpredictable. Based on the findings from the
research, it was recommended that community leaders and chiefs should be
involved in the fight against illegal mining. In addition, there is the need for
Parliament to pass a law to regulate the activities of Operation Vanguard.
Moreover, Operation Vanguard should not work in isolation, but rather it should
team up with various groups in the District, including traditional and religious
authorities, Assembly and Unit Committee members to stop illegal mining in the
District. This will offer Operation Vanguard the necessary cooperation from the
local people to contribute to its success. The local people must also be introduced to
other forms of alternative livelihood methods to reduce their over-dependence on
mining for their survival.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Social Studies Education,
Faculty of Social Sciences, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Social Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba
MAY, 2020