Impact of illegal small scale mining (Galamsey) on cocoa production in Atiwa district of Ghana
Dennis Owusu Boateng*, Francis Nana Yaw Codjoe and Johnson OforiTechnical Department, Bunso Cocoa College, P. O. Box 2, Bunso, Eastern Region, Ghana.
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: polonium90@yahoo.com.
Received 09 May, 2014; Received in revised form 06 June, 2014; Accepted 12 June, 2014.
Key words:
Cocoa Farmers, Illegal small scale mining (Galamsey), Snowball sampling, Atiwa District.
The mining sector is a very important segment of the extractive sector but has one of the most serious and disastrous environmental consequences; conflicting with the livelihood (especially cocoa farmers) and survival of resident communities. This study was conducted in Atiwa district of Ghana to assess farmer’s awareness of small scale illegal mining (Galamsey), its impact on cocoa production and livelihoods in the mining communities. Snowball sampling techniques were used. Data collected was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) software. Descriptive statistics tools were used for the data analyses. The study revealed that farmers in the communities face several challenges from mining activities such as water pollution from excessive use of chemicals, air pollution and land degradation from indiscriminate heavy use of machines. Farmers have also observed early dropping of immature pods, wilting, yellowing of leaves and low yield on cocoa farms closer to mined out areas. Majority of the farmers 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 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.
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