Communities affected by mining activities are gaining new tools, knowledge, and support to defend their rights and protect their environment through the Building Resilience Against Climate and Environmental Exploitation (BRACE) Project.
Over the past six months, the BRACE Project has worked closely with communities across Ghana to strengthen their capacity to respond to the environmental and social impacts of mining while increasing awareness of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Implemented in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the initiative has equipped community members with practical knowledge on their rights and the mechanisms available to seek redress when those rights are violated.
Empowering Communities Through Knowledge
Through a series of community engagements and training sessions, participants were introduced to Ghana’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and trained on how to use it as a tool to protect their rights and hold duty bearers accountable.
The engagements focused on:
- Raising awareness of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and its relevance to mining-affected communities.
- Equipping community members with skills to document environmental and human rights violations.
- Providing guidance on reporting grievances and engaging relevant authorities for action.
- Strengthening community capacity to respond to the impacts of mining on land, water resources, public health, livelihoods, and safety.
To date, 539 people from 73 communities have participated in these engagements, helping to build a stronger network of informed citizens capable of advocating for environmental justice and responsible business practices.
Introducing the BRACE Legal Support Provision
A major milestone of the project has been the introduction of the BRACE Legal Support Provision, a dedicated mechanism designed to support communities and individuals affected by illegal and irresponsible mining activities.
For many communities, seeking justice can be challenging due to the high cost of legal services. The Legal Support Provision aims to remove this barrier by providing access to legal support for those whose land, water sources, health, livelihoods, or rights have been negatively impacted by mining operations.
The Provision offers an opportunity for affected individuals and communities to pursue legal remedies, defend their rights, and contribute to the protection of their environment.
Community members seeking support can contact their BRACE community representatives or reach out to A Rocha Ghana, WACAM, or Nature and Development Foundation (NDF) for information on how to access the provision.
Building Resilience for the Future
By combining rights awareness, community empowerment, and access to legal support, the BRACE Project is helping communities move from vulnerability to action. The initiative is fostering greater accountability, encouraging responsible business practices, and ensuring that mining-affected communities have the knowledge and resources needed to safeguard their rights and natural resources.
The BRACE Project is funded by the European Union and implemented in Ghana by A Rocha Ghana, WACAM, and Nature and Development Foundation.
