Artisanal and small-scale mining, institutional arrangements and vulnerability of cocoa farmers in the Wassa Amenfi East and West Districts, Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the institutional arrangements for reducing the vulnerability of cocoa farmers in two mining districts of Ghana. Using a qualitative research design, state institutions mandated to oversee mining and cocoa production, as well as informal institutions, traditional institutions, and cocoa farmers’ associations, were selected for the study. Data were collected through key informant interviews and group discussions and thematically analysed. We found that the state institutions mandated to regulate mining in Ghana work independently with no direct policies to protect cocoa farmers from artisanal and small-scale mining activities, thereby making them vulnerable to livelihood shocks. In terms of land acquisition, the study found that the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006(Act 703) was not enforced as most miners preferred to deal with informal institutions for land acquisition with its resultant implications for adequate compensation to cocoa farmers. In addition, the institutions were oblivious to the Economic Plants Protection Act, 1979 (A.F.R.C.D. 47) 1, which was promulgated to protect plants of economic value, including cocoa. Though backed by laws and regulations, the state institutions were constrained by political interference and inadequate logistics, which hampered the effective monitoring and regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining activities. The study recommends an effective implementation of the relevant laws and policies to leverage cocoa farmers. Also, effective collaboration among state institutions devoid of political meddling is sine qua non to reducing the vulnerability of cocoa farmers.