A Rapid Assessment of the Impacts of Gold Mining on Women’s Health and Quality of Life in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Introduction: Gold mining is crucial to economic growth and development in several countries including Ghana. It accounts for 40% of Ghana's export earnings and 5.7% of Ghana's GDP. While gold mining yields substantial economic benefits, substandard mining operations have been associated with adverse health, environmental, and social impacts. Exposures to high concentrations of toxic metals (e.g. mercury, lead, arsenic) in water, food, air, and soil have been documented among mine workers and residents of mining communities. Women and children in mining communities are particularly vulnerable; however, the impacts of mining practices on their health and quality of life remain understudied. Methods: This study explored women's perceptions of the impacts of gold mining on their health and quality of life in a community bordering the Obuasi gold mine in Ghana. A qualitative research design was employed, consisting of in depth semi-structured interviews. Participants also completed short socio-demographic surveys. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into Dedoose for analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted to group codes into conceptual themes. Descriptive statistics were generated in SPSS. Results: A total of 15 women were interviewed, about half (53%) of whom had a primary education and were married (57%). A majority (83.3%) had children under 5 years old. Participants revealed that while the mining industry provided indirect socio-economic benefits to women, it was associated with environmental degradation, a range of health issues, lack of access to farmlands, and limited sustainable income-generating activities for women, all of which negatively impacted their quality of life. Participants provided specific recommendations to improve health and quality of life of women residing in the mining community. Conclusions: Women in mining communities face unique social, health, and safety concerns related to mining activities. There is an urgent need for gender sensitive policies that promote environmentally and economically sustainable, centered and socially responsible mining practices that improve women’s social-economic and health status.