LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION CHALLENGES AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AMONG YOUTH DIGGERS IN ARTISANAL DIAMOND MINING COMMUNITIES OF KONO DISTRICT, SIERRA LEONE

Autori

  • Emmanuel Conteh Community Development Studies, Milton Margai Technical University, Sierra Leone
  • Kalie Marah Community Development Studies, Milton Margai Technical University, Sierra Leone

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejefr.v10i6.2310

Ključne reči:

artisanal and small-scale mining, youth livelihoods, livelihood diversification, economic resilience, Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, Sierra Leone

Apstrakt

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) offers significant employment opportunities for young people in resource-dependent economies, but its role in sustainable economic resilience is not clear. This study examines the impact of livelihood diversification challenges on the economic resilience of youth diggers in Sierra Leone's artisanal diamond mining communities in Kono District, using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and the Capability Approach. It also explores the potential mediating role of access to finance, skills and training, institutional support and livelihood diversification. A structured survey of 250 youth diggers (18-35 years) was used to collect data, which were analysed using multiple regression and bootstrapped mediation with 5,000 resamples. The measures were highly reliable and valid, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .82 to .90, AVE values ranging from .64 to .77, and limited common method bias (Harman's single-factor variance = 32.6%). Economic resilience was significantly lower with livelihood diversification challenges (β = −.41, p < .001), while access to finance, skills and training, and institutional support were all significantly positive (β = .21–.25, p < .001). Participation in alternative livelihood activities, however, did not significantly predict resilience, nor did it mediate the relationships tested. The results suggest that resilience is more about having meaningful access to financial, human and institutional resources than diversification and thus priorities for youth livelihood policies in ASM communities.

 

JEL: D2, D6, Q2, O15, Q5

Biografije autora

  • {$ime} {$affilijacija}

    Emmanue Conteh, PhD (University of Reading, UK) in Livelihoods (Int. and Rural Development): sound knowledge in livelihoods and sustainable development, rural development, policy implementation and management, intellectual leadership and comprehensive understanding of agriculture policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations; 10 years + professional working experience in rural development and food security projects. Strong knowledge of (agro-) economic policy issues facing transition economies and emerging markets; Experienced in developing alternative agricultural value chains development, rural businesses, marketing and re-organization including stand-by management.

  • {$ime} {$affilijacija}

    Kalie Marah. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Management, specializing in Finance, at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), following Bachelor’s degrees in Tourism Management from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and a Bachelor’s of Education (B.Ed) in Community Development Studies/Agriculture from Milton Margai Technical University. My academic and professional interests focus on finance, sustainable tourism, rural livelihoods, community development, agricultural development, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development. He has professional experience in teaching, examination administration, banking, community mobilization, advocacy, and community liaison activities in Sierra Leone. My research experience includes bibliometric systematic reviews and quantitative economic analysis, using Scopus, SmartPLS, RStudio (Bibliometrix), VOSviewer, and ARDL Bounds Testing. He has co-authored research on local politics and cultural practices in environmental and disaster management and foreign direct investment and economic growth in Sierra Leone. He has also demonstrated leadership through various community and student-union positions, including President of the National Union of Koinadugu and Falaba Students.

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Preuzimanja

Objavljeno

2026-09-10

Broj časopisa

God. 10 Br. 6 (2026)

Rubrika

Articles