Abstract:
Ghana, like most resource-rich countries, is saddled and inundated with resource curse challenges. Key among them is the problem
of illegal small-scale gold mining activities (ISSGMAs), which is mercilessly robbing the nation of its ecological integrity, despite
attempts by successive governments to remedy the situation. In the midst of this challenge, Ghana, year in and year out, performs
abysmally on environmental governance score (EGC) variables. Against this framework, this study intends to uniquely establish
the drivers behind Ghana’s failure to overcome ISSGMAs. To achieve this, a total of 350 respondents were sampled through
a structured questionnaire, with a mixed method approach from selected host communities, believed to be the epicenters of
ISSGMAs in Ghana. The questionnaires were administered from March to August, 2023. AMOS Graphics and IBM SPSS vs
23 were used to analyze the data. In particular, the novel hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) and linear regression techniques
were adopted to establish the relational linkages among the constructs of the study and their respective contribution to ISSGMAs
in Ghana. The study displays intriguing results that explain why Ghana has failed to be victorious over ISSGMAs. In particular,
the findings of the study demonstrate that the three key drivers of ISSGMAs in Ghana, in a sequential and consecutive order are
as follows: bureaucratic licensing regime/weak legal framework, political/traditional leadership failures, and corrupt institutional
officials. Moreover, socioeconomic factors and proliferation of foreign miners/mining equipment were also observed to contribute
significantly to ISSGMAs. While the study contributes to the ongoing debate on ISSGMAs, it also proffers valuable and practical
solutions to the menace as well as theoretical implications
