Perceptions of the people on “operation vanguard” in the upper Denkyira west district in the central region of Ghana

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.