Effects of Artisanal Small Scale Mining on Household Food Availability and Access in the Amansie West District of Ghana

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2020 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 7 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2020

Authors : Paul Sarfo-Mensah, Moro Haruna, Theophilus Kwarteng Amaning

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V7I3P101

How to Cite?

Paul Sarfo-Mensah, Moro Haruna, Theophilus Kwarteng Amaning, "Effects of Artisanal Small Scale Mining on Household Food Availability and Access in the Amansie West District of Ghana," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 7,  no. 3, pp. 1-8, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V7I3P101

Abstract:

Artisanal Small Scale Mining has become an important livelihood activity for most rural households in Ghana. In this study, we examined the impacts of artisanal small scale mining otherwise known as “galamsey” on household food access and availability in the Amansie West District of Ghana. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select respondents from four communities in the district. Two hundred and forty five (245) household heads were interviewed. A probit estimation model was employed to determine the effects of households‟ involvement in galamsey on food access and availability. The results revealed positive and negative impacts of galamsey on household food access and availability respectively. Households engaged in galamsey activities are likely to have access to food throughout the year. However, the results indicate a decrease in availability of food to those household. We conclude that, galamsey activities in the Amansie West district impacts positively on food access which contribute to food security and negatively on food availability i.e. reduced local environmental capacity to support adequate food production. The study recommends mainstreaming galamsey livelihoods through the introduction of a regulated regime, afforestation of degraded lands and compulsory reclamation, and capacity building of artisanal miners on safe environmental practices.

Keywords:

Food security, artisanal mining, galamsey, probit model

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