The impact of illegal mining on forest ecosystem and stream water quality: a case study on river Birim, Ghana and a comparison with the situation in the EU

Illegal gold mining galamsey is an issue of utmost concern in modern day politics in Ghana is sustainable development is to be achieved. Mining for mineral in general can lead to a boom in the economy since it affects multiple disciplines. This phenomenon holds for both legal and illegal mining. There is a cost however associated with this economic boom. This thesis aimed at assessing the impact of illegal mining in forest ecosystems and stream water quality. The case study was on River Birim in Ghana and the trends were compared with the current situation within the European Union (EU). The approach for this thesis was mainly a case study design. However qualitative, quantitative as well as mixed methods was also adopted in the methodology. Data were collected from relevant sources and a set of questionnaires administered. In all, 270 sampled questionnaires were successfully administered out of the total population and were used in the analysis. Based on responses obtained from the respondents, field observation and supporting data available, it was noticed that illegal mining had an adverse effect on the surrounding communities. Some common negative effects of illegal mining identified were; depletion of natural resources, pollution of water bodies and destruction of ecosystems. It was deduced that water, though scarcely available within the EU was comparatively unpolluted and mining activities properly regulated. As a recommendation, it was suggested that government, local authorities and stakeholders should increase efficiency in the regulation of small-scale miners and their activities in order to reduce the ill-effect of mining to surrounding communities and the country in totality