DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2015.v03i09.004

Pages: 1407-1415

Ghana is endowed with significant mineral resources and has a formidable mining sector which has grown considerably in recent years to represent an important pillar of the economy. In spite of these positive indicators, the overall contribution of the mining industry in the economic development of Ghana is a suspect as there are consequences people living in mining communities suffer. The study aimed to assess the impact of mining on the lives of people living in Obuasi Municipality. Both probability and non-probability research techniques were chosen for the study. In all, 154 respondents were recruited for the study. The study found that mining, which is an industrial activity, comes with negative impacts, resulting in human rights violations such denial of right to work, education and health. People in mining communities will be forever live in abject poverty and rampant rights abuse should mechanism not be put in place to enhance their welfare. For instance, parliament should review the existing land valuation act so as to improve on payment of compensation to people whose lands have been taken by mining companies. Also, mining companies should institute training programmes aimed at enhancing the youth with employable skills in order to enable them participate in economic activities.