Explaining illegal entrepreneurship in the small-scale artisanal mining sector in Ghana: A historical contextualization approach

Abstract

Ghana’s small-scale artisanal mining sector boasts a rich history that stretches back to pre-colonial times when indigenous communities were involved in small-scale mining. Understanding this historical context is critical to grasping the factors that have led to the rise of illegal entrepreneurship in the present-day sector. Our analysis shows that illegal entrepreneurship is a contemporary development deeply intertwined with historical circumstances. Aspects like place, history, and tradition act as resources that sustain the ongoing prevalence of illicit business activities. The clash between modern state property rights and traditional communal land ownership systems creates uncertainties around resource ownership, which illegal entrepreneurs take advantage of. The central idea is that history and locality hold significant meaning, transforming the past into a resource and opportunity for entrepreneurial ventures. This perspective can inspire new ways of thinking about entrepreneurship. By situating illegal business practices within their historical context, we offer a fresh and critical lens on the dynamics of illegal entrepreneurship and opportunity recognition.