THE SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF SMALL-SCALE MINING IN THE TALENSI-NABDAM DISTRICT OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This article is of the view that previous researches on the activities of illegal mining have neglected the implications on the socio-culture of host communities. It adopted mixed approach to data collection and analysis so as to enable the study adds figures to the descriptions given by the respondents. Its findings include: the depletion of raw materials for the craft industry and also in the lack of interest by the youth in craft activities due to high returns from the mines; the degradation of the land occasioned by the wanton destruction of the surface of the land has negatively affected the natural landscape design of some communities under study; the study confirms the view that policy makers, mining companies and illegal miners hardly consult host communities before undertaking their mining activities; the study revealed that even though there are instances of violent confrontations between the some community leaders and among small-scale mining operators the incidences of violence in the study communities have been minimal in the last five years and the study also observed that illegal mining activities do not occur on the cultural heritage sites in the five communities. The study recommended that communities to designate site as sources of raw materials for craft industry; setting up of community sanctioned task force to ensure that miners refill pits; the need for state institutions to adopt a purposive approach in dealing with illegal miners