Economic and socio-ecological effects of sand mining on livelihoods in the Gomoa East District and Ga South Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

There is a surging rate of sand mining worldwide, fuelled by rapid urbanisation and escalating demand for housing and other infrastructure. In Ghana, most residents of sand mining areas are employed in land-based livelihoods, particularly farming. This study examines the effects of sand mining on the livelihoods of the residents in selected communities in the Gomoa East District and Ga South Municipality. The study used a concurrent mixed-methods approach to collect quantitative data from 278 household heads, qualitative data from 30 key informants, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions with women and youth associations. Statistical Product and Service Solutions, version 21, was used to analyse the quantitative data, while NVivo 12 was used to analyse the qualitative data. The results indicate that sand mining in the study communities had negatively affected the livelihoods of most residents, while the positive effects accrued to the sand miners and truck drivers who were non-residents of the mining communities. It is recommended that policymakers, regulators, and local leaders should address unsustainable sand mining to secure livelihoods in the communities.