TY - JOUR
T1 - “NOW WE’VE ALL TURNED TO EATING PROCESSED FOODS”
T2 - A PHOTOVOICE STUDY OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF ‘GALAMSEY’ IN GHANA
AU - Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H.
AU - Christian, A. K.
AU - Ganle, J.
AU - Aryeetey, R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022,Zpravy Lesnickeho Vyzkumu. All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Galamsey, a popular name for small-scale mining in Ghana, is an important livelihood for many rural Ghanaians. Although concerns have been raised in the popular media about the adverse effects of galamsey on the environment, human health, and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly, from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the East Akim Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Primary data was collected in the East Akim Municipality of Ghana, using a photovoice method. Thirty-six male and female adults were purposively selected with the help of a community focal persons and advertisements in the study communities. Respondents participated in a one-day photography training and thereafter, were deployed to take at least fifteen photos that portray the effect of galamsey on food security and health. Subsequently, each participant was asked to select five of the photographs they have taken and explain why they captured that image. A photo exhibition was held to facilitate community conversation and perspectives on the effects of galamsey on food and nutrition security. Galamsey has resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. As a consequence, there is reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increase in food price, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally-produced food. Given the adverse health consequences of both food and nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.
AB - Galamsey, a popular name for small-scale mining in Ghana, is an important livelihood for many rural Ghanaians. Although concerns have been raised in the popular media about the adverse effects of galamsey on the environment, human health, and livelihoods, there is a representational paucity of evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly, from the perspective of affected mining communities. The current study explored community perceptions and experiences of galamsey and its perceived effects on food security and livelihoods in the East Akim Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Primary data was collected in the East Akim Municipality of Ghana, using a photovoice method. Thirty-six male and female adults were purposively selected with the help of a community focal persons and advertisements in the study communities. Respondents participated in a one-day photography training and thereafter, were deployed to take at least fifteen photos that portray the effect of galamsey on food security and health. Subsequently, each participant was asked to select five of the photographs they have taken and explain why they captured that image. A photo exhibition was held to facilitate community conversation and perspectives on the effects of galamsey on food and nutrition security. Galamsey has resulted in degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, and contamination of freshwater sources. As a consequence, there is reduced cultivable land, reduced crop production, shortage of essential staple foods, increase in food price, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. There is also perception of increased exposure to heavy metals like mercury in locally-produced food. Given the adverse health consequences of both food and nutrition insecurity, and increased consumption of processed foods, it is important that public and policy discussions to minimize the effects of galamsey in Ghana should include considerations about food and nutrition insecurity in mining communities.
KW - Agriculture
KW - Food security
KW - Food system
KW - Galamsey
KW - Health
KW - Land degradation
KW - Mining
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85147000209&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.18697/ajfand.116.22855
DO - 10.18697/ajfand.116.22855
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85147000209
SN - 1684-5358
VL - 23
SP - 22200
EP - 22220
JO - African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
JF - African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
IS - 1
ER -