Mining and sustainable development in the Asutifi North District, Ghana

Abstract

Mining's developmental ethos is criticised and praised in equal measure. The presence of precious mineral deposits has been associated with widespread poverty and underdevelopment, at least at the macro level of analyses. This study, through the Asutifi North District case study sought to undertake a micro level analysis of the nexus between mining and the sustainable development of the mine-take communities. Using questionnaire, focus group discussion, stakeholder validation workshop and analysis of satellite imagery the study finds, particularly in relation to social development that mining has made significant contributions to the development of the mine-take communities in the Ahafo area. The study, however, concludes that issues such as the one-off payment of compensation to people who lose their lands, use of mineral royalties, and the amount of money going to the NADeF require some review in tandem with global market trends and local development aspirations.