The Political Economy of Natural Resource Extraction in Central African Ghana: A Mixed Methods Inquiry

Central African Ghana encompasses a range of natural resource deposits, including gold, diamonds, and timber. The political economy of these resources has been a subject of interest in academic research but lacks comprehensive empirical studies. The study employs a mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with semi-structured questionnaires to gather insights from local communities and government officials. Quantitative data on economic indicators are also analysed to complement the qualitative findings. A key finding is that corruption significantly hinders transparent resource management, as evidenced by high transaction costs observed in our survey responses (45% of respondents reported difficulties with payments). The study highlights the critical role of governance and transparency in mitigating negative socio-economic impacts associated with natural resource extraction. Policy recommendations include strengthening anti-corruption measures, enhancing public participation in decision-making processes, and implementing sustainable development strategies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation.