The mining industry is indispensable for development, and in developing countries like Ghana, it drives economic growth by generating revenue and creating job opportunities for millions of people. Nonetheless, irresponsible mining results in the deprivation of people’s right to surface land, predominantly held under customary land tenure, with agriculture as the mainstay of livelihood. Mining activities have extensive repercussions for the land tenure system, resulting in the displacement of people, the loss of land rights, and reduced control and access to land. All these impact the economic, environmental, and social conditions of the people in the community. This systematic literature review thoroughly analyzes the impact of mining on land rights in Ghana, revealing complex dynamics, challenges, and possible remedies. To achieve this, 183 of an initial pool of 495 academic journals, research papers, books, reports, policies, and legal documents were critically reviewed. This research reveals the challenges faced by mining-induced communities because of the displacement which has resulted in the loss of ancestral lands and disruption to community life. The displacement is also coupled with economic disparities and social tension. Furthermore, the ripple effects of environmental degradation, such as deforestation, water pollution, noise, and air pollution, have dire consequences on land use and ownership, particularly for communities dependent on natural resources. This review brings to light various responses and effective strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of mining on land tenure in Ghana. These include community engagement strategies, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and legal reforms. This study reveals that mining compensation depends on the duration of the mining lease, therefore implying that the expropriated parties have reversionary interests in their lands. The procedure for giving the land back to the owner is not explicitly outlined in the law. This underscores the need for a review of the law governing mining, sustainable mining practices, and environmental management to safeguard the land tenure system. This review enlightens policymakers, researchers, mining enterprises, and local communities regarding the intricacies of this convergence, offering a foundation for well-informed decision making. It underscores the crucial importance of upholding sustainable development, social fairness, and responsible resource management within the framework of Ghana’s diverse land tenure traditions.

This paper sought to offer alternative estimates of the Ghanaian housing deficit using the potential household approach (PHA) and to compare the PHA results with existing empirical studies. The PHA is a demographic trend-based analysis that compares expected households with actual households formed to arrive at the housing deficit. The paper employed secondary data extracted from the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) and census reports of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). It covered five survey reports comprising GLSS 3 to 7. GLSS 1 and 2 reports were not available to the researchers. The survey data covered the period from September 1991 to October 2017. These surveys were based on a sample of 15,000 households proportionally selected nationwide. In addition, the Ghana Housing Profile (GHP) (2011) report provided additional data for comparative analysis. The PHA results suggest that the Ghanaian housing deficit never reached two million within the period under consideration. Contrary to popular estimates and projections, the PHA further suggests a declining housing backlog since 2014, after the highest backlog of 1,346,674 was recorded. The declining deficit is partly explained by substantial net additions to the total housing stock from 1960 to 2021. This paper makes a methodological contribution to the estimation of housing deficits in Ghana and offers alternative housing deficit estimates. The study recommends a rigorous statistical analysis of the GSS data to confirm the PHA results, and further examination of the different forms and levels of the Ghanaian housing deficit for a better appreciation and policy response.

Leaving no one behind is central to the Sustainable Development Goals and includes almost a fifth of the world’s population who are Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Their accessibility concerns are, therefore, germane to the world’s developmental agenda. With about 8 % of Ghana’s population made up of PWDs, the study sought to ascertain how the needs of PWDs had been factored into the design, construction and management of two road interchanges that enclose the only Motorway in Ghana. The study obtained information from interchange consultants and clients using descriptive design and non-probability sampling techniques. There was also an audit of the interchanges using an accessibility standard checklist. The study found that efforts to ensure accessibility of the interchanges were not far-reaching and were constrained by the subjective decisions of clients and poor maintenance culture. The study concludes that there has been little progress in the implementation of protocols, policies and laws related to accessible and inclusive built environments. Accordingly, policy decisions should focus on parameters that will guarantee the enforcement of accessible and inclusive conditions in the design, construction and management of interchanges. These issues should be critical areas of focus for policy to help Ghana achieve the SDGs.