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While the engagement of Chinese migrants in small-scale mining in Ghana has gained traction in scholarship, the extant literature pays little attention to how the relationship between the so-called formal institutions (e.g., the Minerals Commission and Ministry of Land and Natural Resources) and informal institutions (e.g., the chieftaincy and customary land institutions) enables illegalities in the mining industry. This paper addresses this gap in the literature, focusing on the relationship between formal state and informal customary land institutions in the small-scale mining sector. Using an institutional analytical framework, we argue that the increasing involvement of the Chinese in small-scale mining in Ghana is an expression of a bigger and deep-seated problem characterized largely by uncoordinated interactions between key state and customary institutions. This, we suggest, creates parallel operations of formal and informal systems that promote different levels of agency and maneuvering among actors―breeding uncertainty, bureaucratic logjams, and illegalities in the mining industry. Based on our findings, we recommend that a more efficient coordination between the relevant state and traditional land governing institutions could curb the proliferation of illegal mining activities, and in particular, those involving Chinese migrants. As part of the conclusion, we suggest that future empirical research be conducted to explore the interactions between formal and informal institutions and how they affect mining activities.
James Boafo; Sebastian Paalo; Senyo Dotsey. Illicit Chinese Small-Scale Mining in Ghana: Beyond Institutional Weakness? Sustainability 2019, 11, 5943 .
AMA StyleJames Boafo, Sebastian Paalo, Senyo Dotsey. Illicit Chinese Small-Scale Mining in Ghana: Beyond Institutional Weakness? Sustainability. 2019; 11 (21):5943.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJames Boafo; Sebastian Paalo; Senyo Dotsey. 2019. "Illicit Chinese Small-Scale Mining in Ghana: Beyond Institutional Weakness?" Sustainability 11, no. 21: 5943.
This paper addresses how microfinance influences the welfare of rural inhabitants engaged in non-farm activities as their sources of livelihood. A survey was conducted to obtain data from 100 rural non-farm clients. Using a multiple regression technique, the impact of microfinance on the socio-economic welfare of clients has been discussed. Income was used as a proxy of the economic well-being of clients. Chi-square test was also run to further verify the association between beneficiaries’ income levels and microloans. In addition, data were collected on healthcare, clothing, housing, and respondents’ educational attainments as means for verification of the impact microfinance has on the social welfare of people engaged in non-farm activities. As regards the relationship between microfinance and social welfare of the beneficiaries, we found a positive impact of microfinance on the respondents’ clothing, healthcare, and educational attainments. However, microloans do not significantly support clients financially to improve their non-farm activities to the extent that could enable them to build, buy, or rehabilitate their own houses. Non-farm clients witnessed an increase in income after acquiring loans; however, income earned is usually insufficient for the acquisition of fixed assets. It is therefore recommended that microfinance institutions sensitize non-farm clients on how to generate income from diverse non-farm activities to support their socio-economic well-being.
Daniel Awuah Agyapong; Prince Osei-Wusu Adjei; James Boafo. Microfinance, Rural Non-farm Activities and Welfare Linkages in Ghana: Assessing Beneficiaries’ Perspectives. Global Social Welfare 2015, 4, 11 -19.
AMA StyleDaniel Awuah Agyapong, Prince Osei-Wusu Adjei, James Boafo. Microfinance, Rural Non-farm Activities and Welfare Linkages in Ghana: Assessing Beneficiaries’ Perspectives. Global Social Welfare. 2015; 4 (1):11-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Awuah Agyapong; Prince Osei-Wusu Adjei; James Boafo. 2015. "Microfinance, Rural Non-farm Activities and Welfare Linkages in Ghana: Assessing Beneficiaries’ Perspectives." Global Social Welfare 4, no. 1: 11-19.