Managing land use disputes in mining areas in Sub-Saharan Africa

Mineral extraction, one of the major and important economic activities in Sub-Saharan Africa, lies at the centre of land use disputes in the region. This paper examines the induced mining land use disputes in Obuasi, Ghana, in Sub-Sahara Africa, considering stakeholder perspectives. A mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods in data collection and analysis. Data was collected through the administration of questionnaires and structured interviews involving 92 respondents. Thematic analysis and statistical analysis were performed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues. It was found that mining land use disputes in Obuasi are rooted in unequal benefit sharing, unfair compensation processes, and land access modes that prioritize mining companies over landowners. It also had to do with the weak implementation and enforcement of existing regulatory frameworks. This resulted from the low awareness among landowners and the government's inaction in holding powerful actors accountable, which led to limited effectiveness in the prevention and management of mining land use disputes. Targeted interventions include creating regular stakeholder forums, setting up open grievance reporting systems, and practicing transparent compensation mechanisms with independent valuation.