Sustainability of smallholder farming in large-scale mining enclaves in Ghana: the case of Asutifi North District in the Ahafo region, Ghana

This paper argues that Ghana’s land and mineral extraction laws favor large-scale mining against agricultural livelihoods. As a result, the paper examined how large-scale land acquisition affects agrarian land availability, productivity, and sustainability of smallholder farming. Using a case study design, the study employed multiple qualitative methods including focus group discussions, document review, and interviews of officials of relevant institutions and project-affected persons (PAPs). PAPs, key informants and institutions were purposively sampled for interviews. Results show that current land regulations only provide one-time compensation for displaced farmers. This approach fails to consider the long-term needs of affected farming households. The findings further indicate that PAPs often share their compensation with extended family members as part of a cultural obligation. While this practice demonstrates community support, it leaves displaced households with little to nothing left for their own basic needs and long-term sustenance. The paper proposed modern smart agriculture that thrives on smaller lands and the development of a sustainable compensation framework that considers the long-term impacts of land acquisition will help manage land management conflicts and the sustainability of agriculture in mining communities.