Illegal sand mining in coastal Ghana: The drivers and the way forward

Abstract

The study examined the drivers of illegal sand mining operations in coastal Ghana and the way forward. Underpinned by common pool resource theory and guided by interpretivist research philosophy, qualitative data were collected from 67 relevant actors in coastal sand mining operations in selected communities. The main drivers of the phenomenon were ineffective law enforcement, poor coastal surveillance, systemic corruption, the fact that beach sand was considered by some actors as not strictly belonging to anyone, profit and livelihood support motives, the relative abundance and cheapness of the resource, unemployment, poor attitude, and a cultural misconception in the study area that beach sand is a better construction material than sand from agricultural lands. The government should strengthen environmental governance, enforce mining laws, implement interventions for decent alternative livelihoods, and fight systemic corruption. The public, particularly the stakeholders engaged in the practice, should be educated on the negative impacts of the practice on environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and made to utilise alternative sources of sand for their operations. A technology-enabled surveillance mechanism is needed for effective coastal monitoring. The study helps to fight illegal coastal sand mining operations to enhance coastline resilience, livelihoods, and sustainable development.