Understanding the mining-local governance nexus – a Ghanaian case study

Abstract

The demands for mining companies to play a role in local governance overlook the implications of their participation. This article investigates how the presence and initiatives of mining companies affect the roles of district assemblies in Ghana using the case of the Newmont gold mining company and the Birim North district. Employing a qualitative-case-study approach, the article demonstrates that the company’s initiatives enhance the plan implementation and the revenue mobilization roles of the district assembly. However, the presence and initiatives by the company undermine the management role of the district assembly in relation to its ability to pursue holistic development. The company’s initiatives have mixed influences on the representative role of the district assembly. Optimizing local governance in mining communities requires district assemblies to proactively engage mining companies to avoid a derailment of their roles. More research is required to unearth appropriate local governance frameworks for optimizing mining outcomes.

Keywords:

• local
• collaborative governance
• mining
• development
• Ghana

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to all the local government officials of the Birim North District for their participation as respondents for this study. I am also grateful to Nancy Holman and Leonard Baatiema for their assistance and support.