Electronic Green Journal

The surge in small-scale illegal mining is posing gross environmental concerns for present and future generations of Ghana. The case study explored the effects of illegal mining activities on Ghana’s sustainable development goals. Using case studies of two districts, the political settlement theory was used to investigate how the politics of power relations can lead to environmental change. Through interviews and focal group discussions, the study revealed an inextricable linkage between actors at the local, national, and international levels and environmental destruction. The study found that most of the sustainable development goals such as, right to safe and clean drinking water, human health, healthy environment, destruction of farmlands, food insecurity, education, eradicating hunger and poverty, amongst others have been significantly affected by the activities of illegal mining. The study thus recommended immediate policy interventions to remedy the situation before it reaches a tipping point.