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Abstract

Literature abounds on the nature and impact of gold mining activities in Ghana, but limited efforts have so far been directed at exploring a concise historical account of the transformation of artisanal small-scale gold mining in Ghana from the pre-colonial era to the present. Against this background, this article traces the history of gold mining policies and regulations that have brought about the transformation of the artisanal small-scale mining sector in Ghana. Drawing on archival documents, interviews, newspaper reports, and a review of secondary materials, this study reveals that, unlike the situation in the pre-colonial era, artisanal mining from the late 1980s has been a threat to national safety and security. This problem has been exacerbated by the corrupt activities of individuals within Ghanaian society. This study argues that the limited capacity of government, along with a long-standing trend of bad implementation of the country’s small-scale mining policies, have contributed to the magnitude of the problem.

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