The Vicious Cycle: Illegal Mining, Climate Vulnerability and Institutional Failure in Ghana's Peri-Urban Landscapes

Abstract

This study investigates the intricate interplay between illegal mining (galamsey), climate vulnerability, and institutional failure in Ghana, with a specific focus on the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality as a critical case study for both formal and informal gold mining activities. Utilizing a qualitative methodology grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, we conducted four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving diverse stakeholders, including current and former galamsey operators, local farmers, community leaders, and regulatory representatives. Our findings reveal that deep-rooted institutional failures create a permissive environment for illegal mining, which is not merely a criminal act but a rational response to socioeconomic marginalization and historical dispossession. The study underscores the consequent environmental degradation, marked by severe deforestation and water contamination, which disrupts vital Climate-Smart Agricultural practices and exacerbates food insecurity. Furthermore, the compounding effects of climate change amplify community vulnerability, creating a feedback loop that perpetuates socio-economic desperation and maintains a constant labor supply for galamsey. This research highlights the necessity of adopting a holistic approach to address these interconnected crises, emphasizing the need for collaborative governance, environmental restoration, and sustainable livelihood development to break the cycle of institutional failure, environmental degradation, and socio-economic despair.