Journal of Economics and Development Studies

Evidence of the Income Inequality Situation in the Mining Industry of Ghana
Prince William Ankrah, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, Emmanuel, Adjei-Danso, Anthony Arthur, Sampson Agyapong

Abstract
This paper reviews the trends and nature of income inequality in the mining industry of Ghana. One of the central challenges of our times: that of overcoming growing income inequalities in the mining industry in Ghana, but also the society in general. This trend, now well-recognized, is worrying not only for its economic impact, but as importantly because it threatens the very social fabric of our societies; creates fierce class warfare and threaten global peace and security. In fact, the increase in economic inequality contributes to the economic, social, political and ecological crises of today. The mining industry is characterized by rising levels of income inequality with few expatriates and management staff earning about two- thirds of the entire industry’s wealth. In measuring the level of income inequality, the study used secondary data; pay roll data for its analysis. The study used 2015 salary data of 5204 employees based on their industrial gold output share in 2014, employee strength, presence of expatriate and the existence of a union in those companies. From the study, the top 10% of the entire staff population earned 49.79% of the overall basis salary while the bottom 10% also earned 3.1%.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jeds.v5n1a8