Mining and Development in Ghana: An Examination of Community Participation in the Ultilsation of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly

Abstract

Using semi-structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), this study examined the level of participation of mining affected communities in the utilisation of the Minerals Development Fund with special reference to the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly. The study found out that there are a number of projects executed and others still ongoing. However, it was evident that, there is no segregation of projects undertaken with the mineral royalties and that of the other sources of founding, such as the DACF and IGF. With regards to the level of participation of the mining affected communities, the study found that the level of community involvement was abysmally low. The interest areas were the identification, execution, evaluation, decision-making and monitoring processes of the project life. The study concludes that, the low level of participation can be attributed to individual, technical and leadership related issues.