Assessing the Implication of Small-Scale Stone Quarrying on the Abokobi Community.

Abstract

Stone quarrying is an economically important and widespread activity in Ghana and has existed since historical times. However, in spite of its remarkable contribution towards economic development, some adverse impacts have been noticed, especially where extraction is carried out without proper planning and use of modern technology and scientific methods. This study assessed the contribution of small-scale stone quarrying (SSQ) activity to people‘s livelihoods in the Abokobi community. Specifically, this study ascertained why people engage in SSQ, explored the constraints and coping strategies associated with SSQ, and assessed the effect of SSQ on people‘s livelihood and the community as an environment. A mixed-method approach was adopted to collect the data from 200 SSQ workers and 10 regulatory officials. The results show that engagement in SSQ at Abokobi was both poverty and market driven, constraints associated with SSQ are labour intensive, lack of protective gears against health hazards led to shocks (such as ill health and accidents), lack of money to purchase better extraction tools, etc. Coping strategies include regulatory interventions from the police, EPA, Mineral Commission and Municipal Assembly. The results also depict that the workers generate more income from the SSQ activities than other activities as at 2014 but it is no longer lucrative in 2022. Finally, the results reveal health problems and food security as environmental effects of SSQ. It is, therefore, recommended that the workers need to form an association to increase their possibility of loan acquisition from financial institutions to address their financial constraints, and the government should assist the workers through importation of better extraction tools at a subsidized cost.