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Manaseh Mawufemor Mintah, Ph.D., is a 2025 graduate of the Ph.D. Program in Environmental Studies and Sustainability at Antioch University, New England.

Dissertation Committee:

Jason Rhoades, PhD, Chairperson

Jean Kayira, PhD, Committee Member

Patrick Essien, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

illegal gold mining, Galamsey, Dunkwa-Offin, Ghana, traditional authority, chieftaincy governance, Afrocentric theory, Nkrumahism, Sankofa, legal pluralism, customary law, statutory law, environmental governance, resource sovereignty, socioeconomic deprivation, paradox of abundance, spiritual significance of gold, indigenous knowledge systems, neocolonialism, community perceptions, environmental sustainability, alluvial gold mining, land tenure, cultural dimensions of mining, political economy of mining

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Ghana is endowed with valuable mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and manganese. However, the country has struggled to manage these resources in a way that benefits the broader population. Illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, has become a persistent national concern. This practice involves the unauthorized extraction of mineral ore by individuals and groups operating without formal government authorization. The town of Dunkwa-Offin exemplifies the severe social and ecological consequences of galamsey, where livelihoods, public health, and environmental sustainability are increasingly compromised. This study examines the potential role of traditional authorities in Dunkwa-Offin in combating illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey. It is guided by four central research questions: (1) What factors influence illegal mining activities? (2) Why are the laws governing small-scale mining unable to prevent illegal mining? (3) What role could traditional authorities play in alleviating illegal gold mining? (4) How do residents perceive traditional authorities’ current and potential future role in addressing illegal gold mining? Grounded in Afrocentric theoretical frameworks, specifically Sankofa and Nkrumahism, the study employs a decolonial, indigenous methodology in addition to the case study methodology. Data were collected through conversations, focus group discussions, and field observations. The analysis followed an inductive process to identify themes and patterns emerging from participants’ lived experiences and perspectives. Findings revealed that illegal mining persists due to economic hardship, unemployment, and the perceived profitability of gold mining despite environmental and health risks. The current legal framework is ineffective mainly because it fails to address the underlying socioeconomic drivers, such as poverty, and has limited enforcement capacity. While many participants expressed respect for traditional values, such as those represented by the gods and ancestors, they also noted a decline in trust in traditional authorities, citing corruption and poor leadership. Despite this, the results illustrate a widespread belief that traditional authorities can play a crucial role in addressing illegal mining if they are empowered and held accountable. The study recommends, among other things, that the government decentralize and decriminalize small-scale mining licensing and formally integrate traditional authorities into governance and land management structures. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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ORCID iD 0009-0009-1434-0931


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