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Economic and Health Resilience of Adolescent Miners in Ghana and Uganda

Focusing on the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research project examines adolescent girls in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) communities in Ghana and Uganda.

The aim is to understand how these adolescents coped during the pandemic and to identify interventions that can strengthen their resilience in future crises. The study focuses on the unique challenges faced by this underserved population and seeks to develop practical solutions to enhance their wellbeing.

Adolescent girls gold mining

Current Priority Area: Strengthening Adolescent Resilience in ASM Communities.

We are currently focused on identifying and co-developing a context-specific intervention to bolster the resilience of adolescent girls in ASM communities. This involves assessing their coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic and piloting a targeted intervention to support their economic and health wellbeing.

By developing and testing a tailored intervention, we aim to provide these adolescents with the tools and support they need to better withstand future crises. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to long-term strategies for improving the resilience and overall quality of life for young miners in these vulnerable communities.

Stories of Change: Interviews with Adolescent Miners in Ghana and Uganda

Policy Briefs: December 2024

Attention to Critical Occupational Health and Environmental Issues Essential for Enhancing Health and Economic Resilience Amongst Young Women and Other Workers in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining and Host Communities in Uganda

Recommendations to Enhance Adolescent Health and Economic Resilience in Artisanal and Small-Scale mining in Uganda (1)

Strict Gender Division of Labour and Taboos Around Artisanal Mining Activities in Uganda: Addressing Restrictions on Women’s Effective Participation

Recommendations to Enhance Adolescent Health and Economic Resilience in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Uganda (2)

Addressing Gender Norms to Build Resilience among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector: Evidence from Ghana

Enhancing Adolescent Health Resilience to Reduce Future Shocks in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining: Evidence from Ghana

Fostering Economic Resilience to Reduce Shock among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector: Evidence from Ghana

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News Articles

Mumuni, J. A., & Stephens, D. (2025, March 12). Women more receptive to alternative livelihoods in mining communities – Dr. Aubynn. Ghana News Agency.

Newswatch Ghana. (2025, March 14). WomenRise Project empowers adolescent girls in mining communities. Newswatch Ghana.

Radio Univers. (2025, March 13). WomenRise Project calls for community-based interventions to support adolescent girls in mining communities. Radio Univers.

Sampson, E. (2025, March 12). Women more receptive to alternative livelihoods in mining communities. MyLiberty News.

Media Highlights

Radio & Television Coverage

Photo Galleries

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Publications

Chidwick H, Randolph-Koranteng N, Kwagala B, Mensah D, Osei L, Wandera SO, et al. Exploring economic and health interventions to support adolescents’ resilience and coping in mining communities: A scoping review. Extractive Industries and Society. 2023;16(October):101369.

Patience N, Wandera SO, Kapiriri L, Chidwick H, Kwagala B. Sexual Behaviours and factors associated with consistent condom use among young male artisanal miners in Kassanda District. Afr J Reprod Health. 2024;28(August): 48–56.

Chidwick, H., Kwagala, B., Mensah, D., Owiredu, O., Osei, L., Kapiriri, L. Exploring Interventions to Enhance Adolescent Resilience in Mining Communities: Insights from Adolescents, Key Informants, and the Literature.

Kapiriri, L., Chidwick, H., Kwagala, B., Mensah, D., Owiredu, D., Osei, L. (under review). Implementing evidence-based participatory research approaches to empower last mile adolescent girls and young women: A detailed description of the study methods.

Kwagala, B., Randolph-Koranteng, N., Chidwick, H., Mensah, D., Nankinga, O., Osei, L., Ojiambo Wandera, S., Mutabazi, M., Asiimwe, JB., Ngabirano, F., Kapiriri, L. (under review). A Risky Coping Strategy: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence and Predictors of Multiple Sexual Partnerships among Adolescent Girls and Young women in Artisanal Mining in Uganda and Ghana.

Kwagala B, Chidwick H, Mensah D, Asiimwe JB, Wandera SO, Mutabazi M, et al. Determinants of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Communities of Uganda and Ghana.

Randolph-Koranteng N, Chidwick H, Kwagala B, Osei L, Mensah D, Owiredu D, et al. Examining Global and National Policies on Interventions for Adolescent and Youth Resilience Across Economic, Health, and Mining Sectors: A Comparative Policy Analysis.

Kapiriri, L., Kwagala, B., Owiredu, D., Chidwick, H., Mensah, D., Osei, L., Wandera, SO. (under review). Participatory prioritizing of health, economic and macro-level interventions by adolescents and young women working in the artisanal mining sector in Ghana and Uganda.

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Project Team

  • Betty Kwagala Principal Investigator: Makerere University, Uganda
  • Lydia Kapiriri Co-Principal Investigator: McMaster University, Canada
  • Deborah Mensah Co-investigator/PhD Candidate: Northern Empowerment Association, Ghana
  • Lydia Osei Co-Investigator: University of Ghana, Ghana
  • Stephen Wandera Co-Investigator: Makerere University, Uganda
  • Miriam Mutabazi Co-Investigator: Uganda Christian University, Uganda
  • Ngabirano Fred Co-Investigator & Decision Maker: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Uganda
  • Raphael Akati Mahama Co-investigator & Decision Maker: Youth Employment Agency, Savannah region, Ghana
  • David Owiredu Collaborator: University of Ghana, Ghana
  • Hanna Chidwick Post-doctoral Researcher: McMaster University, Canada

Researcher

Lydia Kapiriri headshot image

Lydia Kapiriri

PhD

Professor, Health, Aging & Society
Adjunct & Associate Member, Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition

Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenous Strategies

(905) 525-9140 x27203 kapirir@mcmaster.ca