Sadia Mohammed Banchirigah

2006 - Present
Ph.D., Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester

2005 - 2006
MA in Development Studies (Research Training), Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester.

1994 - 1999
BA in Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon.

Supervisor: Dr. Gavin Hilson

In Ghana , artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) provides a livelihood to as many as one million people. The industry, which is poverty-driven and comprised of individuals faced with few alternative income-earning opportunities, is growing rapidly in the country because of the nationwide unemployment problem. In a desperate attempt to diversify the economies of communities now over-dependent upon ASM for economic sustenance, efforts are now being made by the government and private sector partners to identify and implement Alternative Livelihood (AL) projects.

The purpose of my thesis is to critically examine the extent to which AL projects are offsetting poverty in Ghana 's ASM communities. Based upon background research undertaken for my Masters degree here at IDPM, it is hypothesised that attempts to diversify local mining communities have been ad hoc , and are failing to provide incentive to artisans to abandon their hazardous mining activities; it is further believed that a lack of attractive employment alternatives, in addition to those being developed through AL work, is the reason why the sector continues to expand uncontrollably, and that conflicts with large-scale miners have intensified.

Using a case study approach, the thesis proposes to address the following three converging research questions and accompanying objectives:

1. How have AL initiatives been conceived, designed and implemented in Ghanaian ASM communities?
2. How effective have the AL initiatives and allied Local Economic Development Projects implemented in Ghanaian ASM communities been in practice?
3. What potential is there for strengthening existing initiatives, and are there more effective alternatives?

Community-based approaches emphasising qualitative research methods will be used to answer these research questions. Qualitative research is preferred when an attempt is being made to gain an understanding of the experiences of people. These techniques, therefore, will be featured in this thesis because I plan to interview several stakeholders, operating at different levels in the sector, in order to access a broad range of perspectives.

I propose to undertake my research in the following four locations, each of which is qualitatively unique:

1. Bogoso/Prestea, Western Region: here, there is a long history of conflict and violence between the company operating here (Bogoso Gold Limited) and neighbouring ASM communities, which raises questions about the appropriateness of the AL activities it is undertaking.
2. Damang, Western Region: Goldfields, has been accommodative of encroaching artisanal miners at its Damang concession. Thus, there is merit in improving understanding of the impacts of the livelihood programmes now in place at Damang.
3. Bolgatanga, Upper East Region: Bolgatanga is a sprawling artisanal gold mining community scarred by widespread unemployment but where, interestingly, there is no competing large-scale mining activity. The government, however, is in the process of moving forward to identify livelihood possibilities in this area where climate is extreme and the growing season is short.
4. New Abirem, Eastern Region: There are several adjacent communities, including Ntronang and Noyem, to Newmont's Achyem site, where mining will commence in 2009. What makes this site interesting is that the company is attempting to get a 'head start' on identifying livelihoods, and therefore provides an opportunity for improving understanding about how such exercises are being developed.

Previous employment

2002 - 2005 Community Development Supervisor, Northern Region Rural Water and Sanitation Project, European Union Project, Tamale.

2000 - 2002 Community Development Trainer, Northern Region Water and Sanitation Project (NORWASP), CIDA Project, Tamale.

1999 - 2000 National Service, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.

Scholarships and awards

2006-2009 Alumni Fund, University of Manchester (Funding for Ph.D. studies)

2005-2006 Ford Foundation Fellowship (Funding for MA studies)