Across Ghana’s extractive landscapes, the need for stronger environmental governance and community resilience has never been more urgent.
Under the Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes (BRACE) Project, a recent Third Party Finance Assessment set out to identify civil society organisations (CSOs) best positioned to drive meaningful change and sustain the gains achieved by the project over the years. These gains include strengthened community voices in natural resource governance, improved advocacy for responsible mining practices, and growing collaboration between civil society, communities, and decision-makers to protect biodiversity and livelihoods.
The assessment was designed not just as a selection process, but as a strategic step toward strengthening local action. It evaluated organisations based on their capacity, experience, financial systems, and alignment with BRACE’s core goal of promoting sustainable and equitable natural resource governance.
Identifying Champions for Sustainable Minerals Governance
In the area of sustainable minerals governance, the assessment spotlighted organisations with a strong track record in advocacy, policy engagement, and biodiversity conservation.
Groups such as COMPAD GH, the Africa Centre for Environment and Energy Sustainability (ACEES), and Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape (CCAL) emerged as key actors. Their work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that extractive activities do not come at the expense of ecosystems or community well-being.
These organisations bring more than experience. They bring influence. With established connections to communities and policymakers, they are well placed to lead dialogue, promote accountability, and push for responsible resource management.
Strengthening Community Leadership in CREMA Landscapes
Equally critical is the role of communities themselves. Within Ghana’s Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs), local stewardship remains a powerful tool for conservation.
The assessment identified Eco Trend Foundation Ghana and The Resource Foundation Ghana as strong partners in this space. Both organisations have demonstrated the ability to work closely with communities, supporting the implementation of CREMA management plans and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Their work will help ensure that conservation efforts are not only effective, but also community driven and locally owned.
A Foundation for Impact
The outcome of this assessment goes beyond a shortlist. It lays the groundwork for a coordinated, high impact approach to environmental governance in Ghana’s extractive regions.
By selecting organisations with the right mix of technical expertise, local presence, and community trust, the BRACE Project is investing in solutions that are both practical and sustainable.
At its core, this effort is about people. Communities equipped to protect their environment, organisations empowered to advocate for change, and partnerships that turn vision into action.