The Application of Geospatial Intelligence in National Security for Sustainable Development

Resolving the Menace of Illegal Small-scale Mining in Ghana

Abstract

The industrial and especially illegal small-scale gold mining has resulted in serious environmental degradation in mining communities in Ghana. It continues to threaten human well-being, endangering health, physical security, and social cohesion. Other issues include the ability to meet material needs, rapidly disappearing forests, deteriorating landscapes, polluted waters, and urban sprawl. With the application of spatio-temporal technology in the form of Geo-spatial Intelligence, a framework based on the principles of human security is presented to resolve the menace of illegal small-scale mining. Using the qualitative content analysis approach, the study focuses on the characteristics of language as communication with attention to the content or contextual meaning of text and/or imagery. The use of Geographical Information System (GIS) via Geo-spatial Intelligence (GEOINT) involving a combination of imagery, imagery intelligence, information communication and technology and geo-spatial information underpins the framework in resolving and/or reducing the incidence and menace of small-scale gold mining towards an enhanced national security architecture and the process of sustainable development in Ghana.