Respiratory physiology & neurobiology, Jan 29, 2015
The contribution of endogenous acetylcholine to alveolar fluid clearance(AFC) and related molecul... more The contribution of endogenous acetylcholine to alveolar fluid clearance(AFC) and related molecular mechanisms were explored. AFC was measured in Balb/c mice after vagotomy and vagus nerve stimulation. Effects of acetylcholine chloride on AFC in Kunming mice and Na,K-ATPase function in A549 alveolar epithelial cells also were determined. AFC significantly decreased in mice with left cervical vagus nerve transection compared with controls (48.69±2.57 vs. 66.88±2.64, P≤0.01), which was reversed by stimulation of the peripheral (60.81±1.96, P≤0.01). Compared with control, acetylcholine chloride dose-dependently increased AFC and elevated Na,K-ATPase activity, and these increases were blocked or reversed by atropine. These effects were accompanied by recruitment of Na,K-ATPase α1 to the cell membrane. Thus, vagus nerves participate in alveolar epithelial fluid transport by releasing endogenous acetylcholine in the infusion-induced pulmonary edema mouse model. Effects of endogenous acety...
The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana’s electoral politi... more The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana’s electoral politics and the threat it poses to Ghana’s democracy. It focuses on the strategic ethno-political communication employed by politicians to wield voter support and how voters behave at polls. It reveals that prior to independence Ghana’s political parties were predominantly formed along ethnic and regional dimensions. This transcends into the current dispensation, as the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are tagged as Ewe-Northerners party and Akans party, respectively. These ethnic affiliations tend to influence voters’ behaviour at the polls. There is, therefore, an increasing incidence of non-evaluative voting because of ethnocentrism in the Ghanaian political domain. As a result, politicking in Ghana tends to rely heavily on ethnic dimensions to solicit votes using the media as the main platform. The incidence of ethno-politics in Ghana has the tendency to reverse th...
This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a t... more This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a third peaceful transfer of political power. It argues that even though some successes have been made, any attempt at describing Ghana's democracy as consolidated, would mean condoning mediocrity and lowering the bar of democratic consolidation. From the minimalists' view of democratic consolidation, the paper concedes the successes made after three turnover and peaceful transfer of power. 56 Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.10, no.5, 2017 However, this paper takes the view that Ghana's electoral processes continue to be saddled with monumental flaws that undermine the integrity of elections and poses a threat of democratic relapse. From the maximalists view, the study points to some successes in terms of the existence of a multi-party system, the implementation of some electoral reforms, the existence of vibrant civil society and media as well as the acceptance of democratic norms behaviourally, attitudinally
.................................................................................................... more ...................................................................................................................I DEDICATIONS............................................................................................................III ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...........................................................................................................................V ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS.....................................................................................................VI FIGURESAND TABLES....................................................................................VII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................................1 1.1 Background.................................................................................1 1.2 Globalization and Conflicts...............................................................2 1.3 Statement of Research Problem ......................................................... 5 1.4 Significance of the Study ................................................................ 6 1.5 General Objective......................................................................... 7 1.6 Research Questions........................................................................ 7 1.7 Study Area.................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH CONTEXT AND LITERATIURE........................ 11 2.1 Conflicts in Ghana........................................................................11 2.2 The Dagbon Conflict in Perspective................................................... 12 2.3 The Chieftaincy Institution and National Politics ....................................15 CHAPTER THREE: CONCEPTS AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ...............19 3.1 Conflict Resolution...................................................................... 19 3.2 Third Party Legitimacy..................................................................21 3.3 Conflict Mediation Theory..............................................................23 3.4 The Game Theory........................................................................28 3.4.1 The Prisoner’s Dilemma.............................................................. 29 3.4.2 The Prisoner’s Dilemma of the Dagbon Crisis: The game theory............... 30 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY.......................................................... 33 4.1 Sampling Technique..................................................................... 34 4.2 Sampling Procedure..................................................................... 35 4.3 Sample Size and Frame.................................................................. 35 4.4 Data Collection........................................................................... 37 4.4.1 Interviews...............................................................................37 4.4.2 Observation............................................................................. 38 4.4.3 Secondary Data........................................................................ 39 4.5 Data Analysis..............................................................................40 4.6 Research Reflexivity and Positioning..................................................41 4.7 Ethics and Knowledge/Power Relations...............................................42 4.8 Challenges and Limitations of the Research ..........................................44 CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS..............................................45 5.1 Actors in the Dagbon Dispute Resolution Process...................................45 5.1.1 The State Actors........................................................................46
This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a third pea... more This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a third peaceful transfer of political power. It argues that even though some successes have been made, any attempt at describing Ghana's democracy as consolidated, would mean condoning mediocrity and lowering the bar of democratic consolidation. From the minimalists' view of democratic consolidation, the paper concedes the successes made after three turnover and peaceful transfer of power.
The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana's electoral politi... more The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana's electoral politics and the threat it poses to Ghana's democracy. It focuses on the strategic ethno-political communication employed by politicians to wield voter support and how voters behave at polls. It reveals that prior to independence Ghana's political parties were predominantly formed along ethnic and regional dimensions. This transcends into the current dispensation, as the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are tagged as Ewe-Northerners party and Akans party, respectively. These ethnic affiliations tend to influence voters' behaviour at the polls. There is, therefore, an increasing incidence of non-evaluative voting because of ethnocentrism in the Ghanaian political domain. As a result, politicking in Ghana tends to rely heavily on ethnic dimensions to solicit votes using the media as the main platform. The incidence of ethno-politics in Ghana has the tendency to reverse the democratic successes chalked because of the unnecessary tensions that are often associated with ethnic politics. This article recommends the need for responsible media practice to minimise this rising phenomenon in Ghana's electoral politics. Also, it is our suggestion that the Political Parties ACT 574(2000) and the concerned articles of the 1992 constitution be reviewed to place sanctions on ethnocentrism as a political strategy.
The process of globalization was more on the ascendancy prior to the 1914 war. The world was very... more The process of globalization was more on the ascendancy prior to the 1914 war. The world was very much interconnected with high human mobility as a result of trade and the discovering of new places by the Europeans. But this highly globalized world was truncated by WW I and WW II. Between the two wars is an apex of deglobalization in the history of the world. This paper analyses the process of this deglobalization by specifically focusing on the the factors that attributed to this. I must be noted that the advent of the Washington Consensus in 1944 marked an end of this era and the beginning of another process; neo-liberalism which supports globalization.
This is a term paper that focused on the policies and practices of refugee integration and assimi... more This is a term paper that focused on the policies and practices of refugee integration and assimilation in EU Member countries. Conceptual explanation of assimilation and integration are provided with comparison made with the American model of integration and assimilation. The paper draws from different EU countries the integration processes and is revealed that though the supranational; EU has policies for integrating refugees, these policies are still subjected to the individual member states policies, hence variation of the practice across member countries. There are some levels of segregation and discriminatory practices as well among member countries.
This thesis looks at third-party actors’ roles and mechanisms employed in the Dagbon chieftaincy ... more This thesis looks at third-party actors’ roles and mechanisms employed in the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute and, how the disputants perceive their work. The findings are based on interviews with NGOs, the royal families and expert witnesses who are directly involved in the mediation process. The interviews reflect on both state and non-state third-party actors’ strategies and legitimacy issues surrounding their composition and work. The study establishes that the state constituted Wuaku commission to investigate the Criminal aspect and make recommendations to the government and, the Committee of Eminent Kings to use customary means to resolve the dynastic dispute. The commission work is over but the committee of kings is the main mediation body still mediating the dispute. The Wuaku commission suffered legitimacy issues because it was politically tainted hence, did not get the needed cooperation from the disputants. On the other hand, the committee of eminent kings experiences full cooperation from all actors in the conflict. The work of the committee yielded a Roadmap to Peace, which is under implementation. The roadmap has some benchmarks for realization. The performance of Naa Mahamadu IV funeral rites, which is one of the benchmarks, is the bone of contention to resolution. Besides the state actors, there are also non-state actors that are working to promote peace and change the behavior and attitude of the disputants. This helps prepare them for mediation. The celebration of the Bugum and Damba festivals concurrently and independently by the regent of Naa Mahamadu IV, Mion Lana; Alhassan Abudu Ziblim (Abudu family) and Ya-Na Yakubu II caused the dispute. The study also reveals that there is friction between tradition and modern democratic practices in the king making causing mediation difficult.
This research examines the extractive practices in Ghana’s mining sector within the context of th... more This research examines the extractive practices in Ghana’s mining sector within the context of the debate on Chinese artisanal mining activities and the impact on rural livelihoods and development. The research employed qualitative research techniques and the sustainable livelihood strategy and sustainable development theoretical understandings in addressing the research questions. The two theoretical positions are inextricably linked and the realization of sustainable livelihoods leads to sustainable development. The study found that the Chinese presence in the ASM activities, which is illegal, has resulted in intensification and mechanization of the galamsey with the introduction of changfa and trommel machines. As a result, there has been increased environmental degradation, water pollution, and mercury pollution. However, the research also found that though the Chinese ASM activities have negatively affected rural livelihoods and development, some benefits such as an increase in gold production, capital injection into the local economy, business partnership and creation of employment were revealed as a result of the intensification and mechanization of the galamsey. But the means of obtaining these benefits are not sustainable and do not cater for future generations as the environment is often destroyed. The devastation of farmlands in large quantities and the pollution of rivers affect rural farming and fishing which are the main livelihood sources for rural mining communities. This forced a lot of farmers and fishermen out of business with some engaging in the same phenomenon that caused the loss of their livelihoods leading to increasing intensification of galamsey. As such this paper recommends that the Ghana government needs to strengthen the implementation of mining laws, initiate sustainable alternative livelihoods, use Pigouvian tax system among others to mitigate the impact of galamsey on rural livelihoods.
Tackling gender inequality within Ghana’s oil industries and the wider Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) r... more Tackling gender inequality within Ghana’s oil industries and the wider Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) requires a fundamental shift within the industry and the state’s policy direction and scope. It requires reshaping the values, culture, and norms that produce and maintain gender bias within the industry (Greenspan (2017). Position Paper on Gender Justice and the Extractive Industries. Oxfam America.). It further necessitates “deliberately putting” gender on the corporate agenda of extractive firms to complement the affirmative action efforts from the state. This also requires collaborative and concerted efforts from the public and private authorities of relevant institutions to embark on policy drives to effect these changes. Besides meeting SDG 5, studies confirm a positive correlation between increasing gender equality, progressive women’s rights, and poverty alleviation (Chant, International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship 6:296–316, 2014; Shikha, International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies 11:84–98, 2019). Gendering the corporate agenda to ensure gender equality must become one of the central indicators of the industry’s success as a driver of sustainable development. The central proposition of this chapter is that Ghana's oil and gas industry can play an unmatched role in ensuring gender equality in the political and economic domain of the country and the country’s quest to meet the SDGs on poverty reduction and gender equality. This being the case, the chapter proceeds, after the introduction, with an overview of the Dynamics of Oil Extraction. The next sections delved into Mainstreaming Gender: Affirmative Actions and Institutional Provisions, Gendering the Corporation, Ghana’s Institutional Efforts in Gender Mainstreaming, and some concluding remarks and policy recommendations.
Respiratory physiology & neurobiology, Jan 29, 2015
The contribution of endogenous acetylcholine to alveolar fluid clearance(AFC) and related molecul... more The contribution of endogenous acetylcholine to alveolar fluid clearance(AFC) and related molecular mechanisms were explored. AFC was measured in Balb/c mice after vagotomy and vagus nerve stimulation. Effects of acetylcholine chloride on AFC in Kunming mice and Na,K-ATPase function in A549 alveolar epithelial cells also were determined. AFC significantly decreased in mice with left cervical vagus nerve transection compared with controls (48.69±2.57 vs. 66.88±2.64, P≤0.01), which was reversed by stimulation of the peripheral (60.81±1.96, P≤0.01). Compared with control, acetylcholine chloride dose-dependently increased AFC and elevated Na,K-ATPase activity, and these increases were blocked or reversed by atropine. These effects were accompanied by recruitment of Na,K-ATPase α1 to the cell membrane. Thus, vagus nerves participate in alveolar epithelial fluid transport by releasing endogenous acetylcholine in the infusion-induced pulmonary edema mouse model. Effects of endogenous acety...
The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana’s electoral politi... more The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana’s electoral politics and the threat it poses to Ghana’s democracy. It focuses on the strategic ethno-political communication employed by politicians to wield voter support and how voters behave at polls. It reveals that prior to independence Ghana’s political parties were predominantly formed along ethnic and regional dimensions. This transcends into the current dispensation, as the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are tagged as Ewe-Northerners party and Akans party, respectively. These ethnic affiliations tend to influence voters’ behaviour at the polls. There is, therefore, an increasing incidence of non-evaluative voting because of ethnocentrism in the Ghanaian political domain. As a result, politicking in Ghana tends to rely heavily on ethnic dimensions to solicit votes using the media as the main platform. The incidence of ethno-politics in Ghana has the tendency to reverse th...
This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a t... more This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a third peaceful transfer of political power. It argues that even though some successes have been made, any attempt at describing Ghana's democracy as consolidated, would mean condoning mediocrity and lowering the bar of democratic consolidation. From the minimalists' view of democratic consolidation, the paper concedes the successes made after three turnover and peaceful transfer of power. 56 Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.10, no.5, 2017 However, this paper takes the view that Ghana's electoral processes continue to be saddled with monumental flaws that undermine the integrity of elections and poses a threat of democratic relapse. From the maximalists view, the study points to some successes in terms of the existence of a multi-party system, the implementation of some electoral reforms, the existence of vibrant civil society and media as well as the acceptance of democratic norms behaviourally, attitudinally
.................................................................................................... more ...................................................................................................................I DEDICATIONS............................................................................................................III ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...........................................................................................................................V ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS.....................................................................................................VI FIGURESAND TABLES....................................................................................VII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................................1 1.1 Background.................................................................................1 1.2 Globalization and Conflicts...............................................................2 1.3 Statement of Research Problem ......................................................... 5 1.4 Significance of the Study ................................................................ 6 1.5 General Objective......................................................................... 7 1.6 Research Questions........................................................................ 7 1.7 Study Area.................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH CONTEXT AND LITERATIURE........................ 11 2.1 Conflicts in Ghana........................................................................11 2.2 The Dagbon Conflict in Perspective................................................... 12 2.3 The Chieftaincy Institution and National Politics ....................................15 CHAPTER THREE: CONCEPTS AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ...............19 3.1 Conflict Resolution...................................................................... 19 3.2 Third Party Legitimacy..................................................................21 3.3 Conflict Mediation Theory..............................................................23 3.4 The Game Theory........................................................................28 3.4.1 The Prisoner’s Dilemma.............................................................. 29 3.4.2 The Prisoner’s Dilemma of the Dagbon Crisis: The game theory............... 30 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY.......................................................... 33 4.1 Sampling Technique..................................................................... 34 4.2 Sampling Procedure..................................................................... 35 4.3 Sample Size and Frame.................................................................. 35 4.4 Data Collection........................................................................... 37 4.4.1 Interviews...............................................................................37 4.4.2 Observation............................................................................. 38 4.4.3 Secondary Data........................................................................ 39 4.5 Data Analysis..............................................................................40 4.6 Research Reflexivity and Positioning..................................................41 4.7 Ethics and Knowledge/Power Relations...............................................42 4.8 Challenges and Limitations of the Research ..........................................44 CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS..............................................45 5.1 Actors in the Dagbon Dispute Resolution Process...................................45 5.1.1 The State Actors........................................................................46
This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a third pea... more This paper examines Ghana's drive towards democratic consolidation and maturity after a third peaceful transfer of political power. It argues that even though some successes have been made, any attempt at describing Ghana's democracy as consolidated, would mean condoning mediocrity and lowering the bar of democratic consolidation. From the minimalists' view of democratic consolidation, the paper concedes the successes made after three turnover and peaceful transfer of power.
The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana's electoral politi... more The article assesses the use of ethnocentrism as a political strategy in Ghana's electoral politics and the threat it poses to Ghana's democracy. It focuses on the strategic ethno-political communication employed by politicians to wield voter support and how voters behave at polls. It reveals that prior to independence Ghana's political parties were predominantly formed along ethnic and regional dimensions. This transcends into the current dispensation, as the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are tagged as Ewe-Northerners party and Akans party, respectively. These ethnic affiliations tend to influence voters' behaviour at the polls. There is, therefore, an increasing incidence of non-evaluative voting because of ethnocentrism in the Ghanaian political domain. As a result, politicking in Ghana tends to rely heavily on ethnic dimensions to solicit votes using the media as the main platform. The incidence of ethno-politics in Ghana has the tendency to reverse the democratic successes chalked because of the unnecessary tensions that are often associated with ethnic politics. This article recommends the need for responsible media practice to minimise this rising phenomenon in Ghana's electoral politics. Also, it is our suggestion that the Political Parties ACT 574(2000) and the concerned articles of the 1992 constitution be reviewed to place sanctions on ethnocentrism as a political strategy.
The process of globalization was more on the ascendancy prior to the 1914 war. The world was very... more The process of globalization was more on the ascendancy prior to the 1914 war. The world was very much interconnected with high human mobility as a result of trade and the discovering of new places by the Europeans. But this highly globalized world was truncated by WW I and WW II. Between the two wars is an apex of deglobalization in the history of the world. This paper analyses the process of this deglobalization by specifically focusing on the the factors that attributed to this. I must be noted that the advent of the Washington Consensus in 1944 marked an end of this era and the beginning of another process; neo-liberalism which supports globalization.
This is a term paper that focused on the policies and practices of refugee integration and assimi... more This is a term paper that focused on the policies and practices of refugee integration and assimilation in EU Member countries. Conceptual explanation of assimilation and integration are provided with comparison made with the American model of integration and assimilation. The paper draws from different EU countries the integration processes and is revealed that though the supranational; EU has policies for integrating refugees, these policies are still subjected to the individual member states policies, hence variation of the practice across member countries. There are some levels of segregation and discriminatory practices as well among member countries.
This thesis looks at third-party actors’ roles and mechanisms employed in the Dagbon chieftaincy ... more This thesis looks at third-party actors’ roles and mechanisms employed in the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute and, how the disputants perceive their work. The findings are based on interviews with NGOs, the royal families and expert witnesses who are directly involved in the mediation process. The interviews reflect on both state and non-state third-party actors’ strategies and legitimacy issues surrounding their composition and work. The study establishes that the state constituted Wuaku commission to investigate the Criminal aspect and make recommendations to the government and, the Committee of Eminent Kings to use customary means to resolve the dynastic dispute. The commission work is over but the committee of kings is the main mediation body still mediating the dispute. The Wuaku commission suffered legitimacy issues because it was politically tainted hence, did not get the needed cooperation from the disputants. On the other hand, the committee of eminent kings experiences full cooperation from all actors in the conflict. The work of the committee yielded a Roadmap to Peace, which is under implementation. The roadmap has some benchmarks for realization. The performance of Naa Mahamadu IV funeral rites, which is one of the benchmarks, is the bone of contention to resolution. Besides the state actors, there are also non-state actors that are working to promote peace and change the behavior and attitude of the disputants. This helps prepare them for mediation. The celebration of the Bugum and Damba festivals concurrently and independently by the regent of Naa Mahamadu IV, Mion Lana; Alhassan Abudu Ziblim (Abudu family) and Ya-Na Yakubu II caused the dispute. The study also reveals that there is friction between tradition and modern democratic practices in the king making causing mediation difficult.
This research examines the extractive practices in Ghana’s mining sector within the context of th... more This research examines the extractive practices in Ghana’s mining sector within the context of the debate on Chinese artisanal mining activities and the impact on rural livelihoods and development. The research employed qualitative research techniques and the sustainable livelihood strategy and sustainable development theoretical understandings in addressing the research questions. The two theoretical positions are inextricably linked and the realization of sustainable livelihoods leads to sustainable development. The study found that the Chinese presence in the ASM activities, which is illegal, has resulted in intensification and mechanization of the galamsey with the introduction of changfa and trommel machines. As a result, there has been increased environmental degradation, water pollution, and mercury pollution. However, the research also found that though the Chinese ASM activities have negatively affected rural livelihoods and development, some benefits such as an increase in gold production, capital injection into the local economy, business partnership and creation of employment were revealed as a result of the intensification and mechanization of the galamsey. But the means of obtaining these benefits are not sustainable and do not cater for future generations as the environment is often destroyed. The devastation of farmlands in large quantities and the pollution of rivers affect rural farming and fishing which are the main livelihood sources for rural mining communities. This forced a lot of farmers and fishermen out of business with some engaging in the same phenomenon that caused the loss of their livelihoods leading to increasing intensification of galamsey. As such this paper recommends that the Ghana government needs to strengthen the implementation of mining laws, initiate sustainable alternative livelihoods, use Pigouvian tax system among others to mitigate the impact of galamsey on rural livelihoods.
Tackling gender inequality within Ghana’s oil industries and the wider Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) r... more Tackling gender inequality within Ghana’s oil industries and the wider Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) requires a fundamental shift within the industry and the state’s policy direction and scope. It requires reshaping the values, culture, and norms that produce and maintain gender bias within the industry (Greenspan (2017). Position Paper on Gender Justice and the Extractive Industries. Oxfam America.). It further necessitates “deliberately putting” gender on the corporate agenda of extractive firms to complement the affirmative action efforts from the state. This also requires collaborative and concerted efforts from the public and private authorities of relevant institutions to embark on policy drives to effect these changes. Besides meeting SDG 5, studies confirm a positive correlation between increasing gender equality, progressive women’s rights, and poverty alleviation (Chant, International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship 6:296–316, 2014; Shikha, International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies 11:84–98, 2019). Gendering the corporate agenda to ensure gender equality must become one of the central indicators of the industry’s success as a driver of sustainable development. The central proposition of this chapter is that Ghana's oil and gas industry can play an unmatched role in ensuring gender equality in the political and economic domain of the country and the country’s quest to meet the SDGs on poverty reduction and gender equality. This being the case, the chapter proceeds, after the introduction, with an overview of the Dynamics of Oil Extraction. The next sections delved into Mainstreaming Gender: Affirmative Actions and Institutional Provisions, Gendering the Corporation, Ghana’s Institutional Efforts in Gender Mainstreaming, and some concluding remarks and policy recommendations.
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Thesis Chapters by Phil Faanu
livelihood strategy and sustainable development theoretical understandings in addressing the research questions. The two theoretical positions are inextricably linked and the realization of sustainable livelihoods leads to sustainable development. The study found that the Chinese presence in the ASM activities, which is illegal, has resulted in intensification and mechanization of the galamsey with the introduction of changfa and trommel machines. As a result, there has been increased environmental degradation, water pollution, and mercury pollution. However, the research also found that though the Chinese ASM activities have negatively affected rural
livelihoods and development, some benefits such as an increase in gold production, capital injection into the local economy, business partnership and creation of employment were revealed as a result of the intensification and mechanization of the galamsey. But the means of obtaining these benefits are not sustainable and do not cater for future generations as the environment is
often destroyed. The devastation of farmlands in large quantities and the pollution of rivers affect rural farming and fishing which are the main livelihood sources for rural mining communities. This forced a lot of farmers and fishermen out of business with some engaging in the same
phenomenon that caused the loss of their livelihoods leading to increasing intensification of galamsey. As such this paper recommends that the Ghana government needs to strengthen the implementation of mining laws, initiate sustainable alternative livelihoods, use Pigouvian tax
system among others to mitigate the impact of galamsey on rural livelihoods.
Books by Phil Faanu
livelihood strategy and sustainable development theoretical understandings in addressing the research questions. The two theoretical positions are inextricably linked and the realization of sustainable livelihoods leads to sustainable development. The study found that the Chinese presence in the ASM activities, which is illegal, has resulted in intensification and mechanization of the galamsey with the introduction of changfa and trommel machines. As a result, there has been increased environmental degradation, water pollution, and mercury pollution. However, the research also found that though the Chinese ASM activities have negatively affected rural
livelihoods and development, some benefits such as an increase in gold production, capital injection into the local economy, business partnership and creation of employment were revealed as a result of the intensification and mechanization of the galamsey. But the means of obtaining these benefits are not sustainable and do not cater for future generations as the environment is
often destroyed. The devastation of farmlands in large quantities and the pollution of rivers affect rural farming and fishing which are the main livelihood sources for rural mining communities. This forced a lot of farmers and fishermen out of business with some engaging in the same
phenomenon that caused the loss of their livelihoods leading to increasing intensification of galamsey. As such this paper recommends that the Ghana government needs to strengthen the implementation of mining laws, initiate sustainable alternative livelihoods, use Pigouvian tax
system among others to mitigate the impact of galamsey on rural livelihoods.