Ghana’s minerals extractive sector is making fortunes, but in many mining communities, it is leaving behind a different story: broken livelihoods, environmental damage and communities demanding their fair share.
Now, a new social justice campaign dubbed “Uplifting the Voices of Mining Communities”, is putting voices of communities at the centre of Ghana’s mining debate in demand for sustainable, inclusive and eco-conscious extractives sector.
Ghana, blessed with so much mineral resources, including gold, oil, salt and other rich extractive products, continues to see stifled national development.
In many mining communities of the country, residents face dwindled socioeconomic development and now the worrying plight on their health, posed by active small-scale and artisanal mining.
Through social justice advocacy group – ActionAid, a network of affected communities has been launched to push demands for improved and sustainable benefits from mining.
Dubbed the Uplifting the Voices of Mining Communities (VOICES), the project seeks to strengthen the voice, agency and collective power of mining-affected communities to participate in meaningful decision-making affecting lands, livelihoods, environment and natural resources.
The 24-month project is funded by Comic Relief and implemented across four districts, including Mfantseman, Asutifi North, Ahafo Ano South and Talensi.
“We will strengthen citizen awareness and participation in mineral governance, support community-based monitoring, generate evidence and create platforms for construction engagement between communities, duty bearers and other stakeholders,” John Nkaw, Country Director for ActionAid, said.
The project will promote awareness, build agency, foster collective action, gather evidence, promote advocacy, promote accountability and generate change.
As a social inclusive project, it will train eighty (80) women and youth representatives in area including extractive sector governance, climate resilient livelihoods, advocacy, campaign and artistic activism.
Four community-based monitoring committees are expected to be established, equipping community members and journalists to document environmental, social labour and human rights concerns.
Co-chair of Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, Dr. Steve Manteaw, highlighted some gaps in the sector, the project could tackle.
“Communities must know how ICI revenue the mining companies make and the amount allocated for community development. The project could look at how to empower the communities to demand answers for fair share of the benefits,” he said.
