The impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on cocoa production and livelihood a case study of Amansie west district

Abstract

Gold mining is a very important segment of the extractive sector but has one of the most serious and disastrous environmental consequences; conflicting with the livelihood and cocoa production and survival of resident communities. This research was conducted in Amansie West district of Ghana to assess the effect of small scale illegal mining (Galamsey), its impact on cocoa production and livelihoods. The modified random sampling technique was used. Data collected was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) software. Descriptive statistics tools were used for the data analysis. The study revealed that many inhabitants in the communities face several challenges from small scale mining activities such as water pollution from excessive use of chemicals, air pollution and land degradation from indiscriminate heavy use of machines. Cocoa farmers have also observed early dropping of immature pods, wilting, yellowing of leaves and low yield on cocoa produce. Majority of the youth opined that their engagement in the Galamsey activities is as a result of unemployment; desire to get quick money and the fact that cocoa farming is seen as a job or business that does not pay well. The study advocates for drastic government and media support aim at educating the youth and the various small scale mining communities about the repercussions on indiscriminate destruction of farm land (especially cocoa production) and a lot of adverts on television and radio to create awareness on the dangers that Galamsey poses to the cocoa sector which is the mainstay of the economy and an aggressive land reclamation campaign.