Population dynamics and health hazards of small-scale mining activity in the Bolgatanga and Talensi-Nabdam districts of the upper east region of Ghana

Abstract

Recently, there has been an upsurge of small-scale mining activity in the Bolgatanga and Talensi-Nabdam districts of the Upper East Region following the discovery of gold bearing rocks around the Nangodi and Pelungu areas of the districts. This study attempts to relate population size and health hazards in the study area to the activity of small-scale mining. Based on the findings from field work it was deduced that the prevailing increase in population size and spread of communicable diseases as documented in the Regional Biostatistics service are related directly and indirectly to the activities of the small-scale mining. Keywords: Small-Scale mining, population dynamics, Health hazards, Bolgatanga and Talensi Nabdam.