Environmental effects of artisanal mining on cocoa farming, and the interactions between miners and cocoa farmers in Obuasi district, Ghana

This study explored the environmental impact of artisanal mining on cocoa. Production in the Obuasi Municipal District of Ghana through a qualitative approach. Detailed interviews and discussions were conducted with five cocoa farmers, 5 miners, a local community leader, a policymaker, and a cocoa extension officer to gain insights into how mining activities affect both cocoa farming and the surrounding community. The findings revealed that although artisanal mining offers certain economic benefits, it significantly harms the environment and cocoa production. One of the most striking observations from field work is that outright conflict between miners and farmers is not always the dominant theme. Rather, there are often forms of collaboration between them, particularly in cases where farmers, faced with declining cocoa yields, agreed to willingly sell their lands to illegal miners, whereas many farmers enthusiastically engage with illegal miners under specific conditions for quick income. Major issues include deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and the destruction of cocoa farms. These environmental problems not only reduce cocoa yields but also jeopardize farmers' livelihoods, creating social and economic instability in the area. The research also uncovered tensions between miners and farmers over land use, along with concerns regarding environmental justice. This study adds valuable insights into the local effects of artisanal mining on agriculture, emphasizing the need for it. Environmental sustainability and community welfare over economic gains. It calls for improved resource management and the creation of policies that balance mining activities with the protection of agriculture in affected regions.