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The use of mercury in gold mining has negative impacts on the ecosystem and has raised concerns. Ghana and many nations are at the forefront of adopting mercury-free gold mining technologies and practices. However, recent studies on mercury-free gold mining lack the psychological aspect of it. In view of that, this study combines the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory and theory of planned behavior (TPB) with Government intervention to investigate Artisanal and Small-scale miners' (ASM) willingness to adopt (WTA) mercury-free gold mining in Ghana. Utilizing partially least square structural equation modeling, 423 data were collected across Ghana for the study. The results show that the integrated model designed is better than the original TPB and VBN models with 36%, 24.7%, 33.3% variance explained respectively. Attitude (16.2%), subjective norms (9.4%), and perceived behavioral control (19.7%) all have a positive influence on ASM's WTA. Personal norms have a positive (12.9%) impact on WTA. Awareness of consequences influences ascription of responsibilities positively and they both influence personal norms positively. Interventions from the government had the strongest positive (30.9%) impact on WTA. Mediation roles of personal norms and attitude were also found between the variables and WTA. These findings provide new evidence and insights in the context of gold mining as policy suggestions have been made for policymakers to curb the menace. • Integrated model is better than original TPB and VBN models. • TPB constructs affect willingness to adopt positively. • Personal norms affect willingness to adopt positively. • Ascription of responsibility affects personal norms positively. • Government intervention affects willingness to adopt positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mercury in gold mining has negative impacts on the ecosystem and has raised concerns. Ghana and many nations are at the forefront of adopting mercury-free gold mining technologies and practices. However, recent studies on mercury-free gold mining lack the psychological aspect of it. In view of that, this study combines the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory and theory of planned behavior (TPB) with Government intervention to investigate Artisanal and Small-scale miners' (ASM) willingness to adopt (WTA) mercury-free gold mining in Ghana. Utilizing partially least square structural equation modeling, 423 data were collected across Ghana for the study. The results show that the integrated model designed is better than the original TPB and VBN models with 36%, 24.7%, 33.3% variance explained respectively. Attitude (16.2%), subjective norms (9.4%), and perceived behavioral control (19.7%) all have a positive influence on ASM's WTA. Personal norms have a positive (12.9%) impact on WTA. Awareness of consequences influences ascription of responsibilities positively and they both influence personal norms positively. Interventions from the government had the strongest positive (30.9%) impact on WTA. Mediation roles of personal norms and attitude were also found between the variables and WTA. These findings provide new evidence and insights in the context of gold mining as policy suggestions have been made for policymakers to curb the menace. • Integrated model is better than original TPB and VBN models. • TPB constructs affect willingness to adopt positively. • Personal norms affect willingness to adopt positively. • Ascription of responsibility affects personal norms positively. • Government intervention affects willingness to adopt positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing industry, urbanization, and population in developing nations like Ghana is increasing waste generation. Municipal solid waste (MSW) mishandling has serious environmental, public health, and socio-economic implications. This study analyzed the direct and indirect influence on citizens' intention to invest in MSW to energy projects in Ghana and expanded the norm activation model (NAM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) with perceived value and health consciousness. With 412 questionnaire responses, hypothetical statements were evaluated using partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings are: (1) The study found that awareness of consequences indirectly influenced citizens' intention to invest in MSW to energy projects through attitude, personal norms, perceived value, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and health consciousness. (2) This study indicated that the explanatory ability of the current structural research model (R2 = 40.1%) is better than that of the extended TPB model (R2 = 38.0%) and NAM (R2 = 28.4%) with perceived value and health consciousness, and the structural model can better explain their intention to invest. Additionally, several recommendations are suggested for investing in MSW to energy projects in Ghana. This study has the potential to assist academics, researchers, government officials, and investors engaged in MSW to energy projects in making knowledgeable decisions. • Citizens' intention to invest in MSW to energy projects was assessed in Ghana. • The study assessed the explanatory power of TPB and NAM using PLS-SEM. • All the hypothesis influenced citizens' intention to invest in the projects. • The study compare the current research model, NAM, and the TPB model. • The recommendations for citizens' intention to invest in the projects are detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]