A Rapid Assessment of the Impacts of Gold Mining on Women’s Health and Quality of Life in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Gold mining is crucial to economic growth and development in several countries including Ghana. It accounts for 40% of Ghana's export earnings and 5.7% of Ghana's GDP. While gold mining yields substantial economic benefits, substandard mining operations have been associated with adverse health, environmental, and social impacts. Exposures to high concentrations of toxic metals (e.g. mercury, lead, arsenic) in water, food, air, and soil have been documented among mine workers and residents of mining communities. Women and children in mining communities are particularly vulnerable; however, the impacts of mining practices on their health and quality of life remain understudied. Methods: This study explored women's perceptions of the impacts of gold mining on their health and quality of life in a community bordering the Obuasi gold mine in Ghana. A qualitative research design was employed, consisting of in depth semi-structured interviews. Participants also completed short socio-demographic surveys. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into Dedoose for analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted to group codes into conceptual themes. Descriptive statistics were generated in SPSS. Results: A total of 15 women were interviewed, about half (53%) of whom had a primary education and were married (57%). A majority (83.3%) had children under 5 years old. Participants revealed that while the mining industry provided indirect socio-economic benefits to women, it was associated with environmental degradation, a range of health issues, lack of access to farmlands, and limited sustainable income-generating activities for women, all of which negatively impacted their quality of life. Participants provided specific recommendations to improve health and quality of life of women residing in the mining community. Conclusions: Women in mining communities face unique social, health, and safety concerns related to mining activities. There is an urgent need for gender sensitive policies that promote environmentally and economically sustainable, centered and socially responsible mining practices that improve women’s social-economic and health status. Assessing the Effect of Gold Mining on the Health of Individuals in Qualitative Study You are being invited to participate in a research study that seeks to understand the effects of gold mining on the health of women in the area. Your participation will include an individual interview and a survey. For this, you will be asked to provide information on things that you believe affect the health of women living in the mining community. There are no known risks for your participation in this research study. The information collected may not benefit you directly. The information learned in this study may be helpful to others. The information you provide will be used in a report which may be shared with policy makers, community members, faculty and staff of KNUST. Your completed survey and the audio-recording will be stored at a secure location in the University of Louisville. Your participation will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Individuals from the Behavioral the Health, the Review Board (IRB), the Human Subjects Protection Office (HSPPO), and other regulatory agencies may inspect these records. In all other respects, however, the data will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by law. Should the data be published, your identity will not be disclosed. Taking part in this study is voluntary. By answering written survey questions you agree to take part in this research study. You do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable. You may choose not to take part at all. you in this study you may stop taking part at any time. If you decide not to be in this study or if you stop taking part any time, you any for you may