Blurred Clouds Email Header (2)

A Rocha Ghana and 5 other CSOs Sue Gov’t Over LI2462

A Rocha Ghana, along with five other civil society organizations (CSOs) and a private individual, would like to notify the public that a Writ of Summons and an Application for an Interlocutory Injunction have been submitted to the High Court against the following parties:

  1. The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
  2. The Environmental Protection Agency
  3. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
  4. The Minerals Commission
  5. The Speaker of Parliament
  6. The Attorney-General

This legal action, representing a collaborative effort by A Rocha Ghana, Nature and Development Foundation, Civic Response, EcoConscious Citizens, Kasa Initiative Ghana, Tropenbos Ghana, and Ken Ashigbey (Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey), aims to safeguard Ghana’s forest reserves from the harmful impacts of mining.

To highlight the situation, a total of 24 Forest Reserves, including seven areas of Global Significance for Biodiversity, either currently have a mining lease granted within their borders or have a mining lease or prospecting license application pending validation.

This legal action seeks to challenge and halt mining activities in Ghana’s forest reserves. In this connection, we have raised serious concerns about the legality of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462).

  1. First, we contend that L.I. 2462 which allows mining in Forest Reserves, is in conflict with the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the Forests Act, 1927 (CAP 157), both of which protect forest reserves from being subject to mining activities.
  2. Secondly, L.I. 2462 is unlawful because it was laid in Parliament without the required fiscal impact analysis. This violates the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

In sum, the legal action and the application for injunction filed aim to:

  1. Prevent the issuance of any further permits or licenses under the disputed regulations allowing mining activities in forest reserves.
  2. Restrain any person or entity holding such licenses from continuing or initiating mining activities in forest reserves.
  3. Prevent the exercise of presidential powers to approve mining in globally significant biodiversity areas, pending the Court’s final decision.

Read More HERE

2

BRACE Trains Over 100 Participants In Land Rights, Extractive and Environmental Laws

In August, the BRACE project in Ghana launched a series of training sessions to disseminate knowledge and awareness to several stakeholders on natural resource governance and environmental rights protection in the extractives sector.

The trainings, conducted in the Eastern, Western, and Ashanti regions, attracted over 100 participants from approximately 63 target groups across more than 100 diverse mining communities. The main goal was to empower them to support sustainable practices and uphold accountability in the extractive industries.

Led by legal experts from Merton & Everette LLP, the workshops aimed to enhance target stakeholders’ knowledge in extractive sector local and international policy and legal frameworks, skills in evidence gathering, advocating for environmental rights, and ensuring accountability for environmental breaches.

 

Training Models

During the training, a variety of topics were covered, including national and international legislation and mechanisms that protect environmental rights and other human rights such as the constitution of Ghana, UN Resolutions of Human Rights to a Healthy Environment, the right to Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC), and methods for effective advocacy and negotiation.

While issues of licensing were addressed, trainers also took time to discuss people’s rights to compensation when lands and resources will be or have been damaged by mining.

They further took participants through the roles and responsibilities of Ghana’s duty bearers and regulatory agencies like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); Forestry Commission (FC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Minerals Commission amongst others in upholding and defending human rights and in ensuring good environmental management and natural resource governance.

Attendees were schooled on organizing a peace protest, obtaining information, and requesting a town hall meeting. The training referred to these as Avenues for Collective Action.

Interactive sessions and role-playing exercises were incorporated to ensure the practical application of the theoretical knowledge gained. These activities helped participants develop confidence in their newfound skills and prepared them to face real-world challenges effectively.

Now equipped with knowledge, these community members understand the importance of their consent for any projects impacting their lands, resources, and livelihoods.


Participants

Participants were drawn from major target groups from the BRACE target regions and communities. They included members of the traditional council, youth leaders, women’s groups, the media, NGOs/CBOs amongst others.

Participants shared their experiences and insights, fostering a strong sense of solidarity and mutual support among the various communities represented. The workshop also provided a platform for networking and collaboration, encouraging the formation of alliances to strengthen collective efforts in environmental advocacy.

As the workshop concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism and determination. Community leaders expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow, vowing to return to their communities with renewed vigor and a clear action plan.

The success of the BRACE Project training was a testament to the power of knowledge empowerment and collective action in driving positive change.

The groundwork laid by this workshop has set the stage for a brighter future where environmental rights are respected, and local voices are heard and heeded.


A Need to Join Forces

Speaking on the sidelines of the training, Lead lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawo said his firm was privileged to be part of leading the fight against illegal mining through the training programme and encouraged others to join forces in tackling the issue.

Barker-Vormawo emphasized that while democracy may lead to differing opinions, unity is crucial when it comes to environmental issues. The visible impact of environmental depletion he said, requires collaboration across various sectors – including the media, legal professionals, community leaders, and chiefs – to combat this threat.

“Maybe with our efforts, we can secure the environment for generations to come and they would not have to go through what we are going through,” he added.

 

Coordinator for the BRACE project, Daryl Bosu highlighted the need for such intense training. According to him, the mining industry had seen such a boom that so many communities have been adversely affected leaving entire communities in dire situations.

“We are not against mining but we also recognize the widespread impact it has had on many communities nationwide. Mining activities have led to the devastation of water bodies and forest reserves, as well as significant human rights violations in affected areas,” Mr Bosu said.

He added, “The encroachment of miners on agricultural lands is evident. It is crucial for communities to be informed about the proper and legal practices that should govern mining operations, ensuring progress without causing harm.”

 

About BRACE

BRACE is a three-year project funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of not-for-profit organisations Wacam and Nature and Development Foundation and led by A Rocha Ghana.

The project aims to ensure adherence to human rights, transparency, and accountability in mineral governance by contributing to sustainable and equitable environmental management and good natural resource governance in Ghana.

Kyebi Training

Esiama

Kumasi

BRACE_Logo_Final_Approved-01

Request for Expression of Interest for Website Design & Management Services UNDER ‘Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana’ (BRACE)

Background

A Rocha Ghana, Wacam, and the Nature and Development Foundation are seeking expressions of interest from qualified web design firms or individuals to develop and host a website for the Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana (BRACE) project. This initiative is funded by the European Union and aims to empower communities affected by mining activities by enhancing their access to justice and information regarding their environmental and land rights.

Communities’ rights to their lands, a healthy environment and natural resources are severely threatened by mining activities, and this threat grows by the day as Ghana’s extractives sector takes precedent. Licences are granted without due diligence in socially and environmentally sensitive areas (farmlands, forests, and rivers1, despite a prospecting ban for forests and mining ban for rivers). The ‘UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights’ visited communities living near largescale mining operations in 2022 where he witnessed their living conditions and heard their testimonials of losing their lands, farms and livelihoods to large-scale mining companies; communities surrounded by mine tailings and stagnant water; contamination of farmlands and water sources by mercury, zinc and arsenic; sicknesses (coughing, rashes, nose bleeding, fatigue, respiratory problems, cancer); inadequate compensation; and very limited benefits returning to communities2. Affected communities are not able to access justice systems to seek redress due to the high costs3, and they also lack on information on their environment and land rights, and of the responsibilities of duty bearers in extractive sector development.

Needs of the BRACE partners

BRACE partners are looking for a web designer to design, create and host a website to support the project and its target groups. After creation, the partners will manage the website, so it should be relatively simple to update and maintain (e.g. WordPress or other appropriate host platforms).

88452621

Becoming the Mining Hub of Africa: Detrimental to Inclusive and Sustainable Development of Ghana

In recent years, Ghana has not only emerged as a significant player in the global mining industry but has also ascended to the position of the number one producer of gold in Africa. While this development might appear to promise economic growth and increased foreign investment, the reality on the ground paints a far less optimistic picture. The unchecked expansion of both legal and illegal mining activities has wrought significant socio-economic and environmental havoc across the nation, calling into question the true benefits of Ghana’s burgeoning status as the mining hub of Africa. The evidence of the danger we face in working towards this goal is amply manifested in the current the state of our water bodies, forests, biodiversity, and the violations and abuses wrought on communities by mining actors.

Corruption and Illicit Financial Transactions

At the heart of the mining sector’s troubles lies pervasive corruption and illicit financial practices. The opaque processes governing the allocation of mining permits and concessions have become breeding grounds for underhanded dealings. These transactions often involve powerful elites who manipulate the system to their advantage, sidelining the interests of local communities and the nation at large. The result is a wealth disparity where the riches generated from mining do not benefit the broader population but rather a select few. This endemic corruption undermines public trust in governmental institutions and stifles genuine socio-economic development. If left unaddressed, this perception can tarnish the reputation of even those mining operations committed to respecting social and environmental safeguards.

Displacement of Agriculture and Unwholesome Food

One of the most profound impacts of unsustainable mining in Ghana is its displacement of agriculture, particularly cocoa farming, which has historically been a cornerstone of the country’s economy. The sub-surface rights to minerals and mining often take precedence over surface land rights, leading to the expropriation of fertile agricultural lands for mining activities. This not only jeopardizes the livelihoods of farmers but also threatens Ghana’s food security. Recent data indicates that Ghana’s cocoa yield has dropped significantly from close to 1 million tons to almost half its previous production trend. This shortfall is projected to lead to a shortage of cocoa products, adversely affecting local processing companies and resulting in job losses. There is also the risk to our entire food systems, with farmers returning to heavy metal-exposed abandoned mining sites to grow food crops for both subsistence and the market.

Environmental Degradation

Mining activities, especially when conducted irresponsibly, have devastating effects on the environment. The deforestation and destruction of critical forests and biodiversity ecosystems are particularly alarming. Forests and watersheds play essential roles in maintaining ecological balance and supporting life through the provision of clean air, water, and other ecosystem services. Their loss translates into long-term environmental degradation that impacts not just current residents but future generations as well. The pursuit of transition minerals, essential for low-emissions technologies, will come at the cost of Ghana’s rich natural heritage, with forests being razed and biodiversity irreparably damaged. The enactment of  Legislative Instrument 2462  to allow government access to protected critical biodiversity hotspots exemplifies this reckless approach in our quest to become a mining hub in Africa.

Water Pollution and Health Risks

Water pollution is another severe consequence of unsustainable mining practices in Ghana. The contamination of water bodies with heavy metals and other toxins poses grave health risks to local communities. Almost all the major rivers overlapping the rich mineral belts of Ghana are polluted, diverted, or dammed. Mining operations frequently lead to the discharge of harmful substances into rivers and streams, compromising water quality and rendering it unsafe for consumption and agriculture. This pollution has cascading effects, leading to a rise in waterborne diseases and negatively impacting food safety. The inability of water treatment and distribution companies to manage these contaminants further exacerbates the crisis, leaving many communities without access to safe drinking water. The documentary by Erastus Asare Donkor, “Poisoned for Gold,” is instructive if we truly prioritize the health and wellbeing of citizens.

Recent incidents have highlighted the health risks associated with exposure to contaminated food and water. Heavy metals such as mercury and lead, commonly found in mining runoff, accumulate in the food chain, affecting not only immediate consumers but also future generations. Chronic exposure to these toxins can lead to serious health conditions, including kidney problems caused by mercury, neurological disorders, and developmental issues in children, posing a significant public health challenge.

Impacts on Climate Mitigation Initiatives

The accelerated, unsustainable mining has significantly affected Ghana’s ability to achieve results under Ghana REDD+ initiatives, particularly the Ghana Cocoa Forests Emissions Reduction Program (GCFRP). This initiative, aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, has struggled to meet its objectives due to large scale deforestation and forest degradation in the ear-marked emissions reduction area, resulting from mining encroachment. The government’s active sponsorship of accelerated mining coupled with lapsed compliance and enforcement as well as the introduction of community mining, has resulted in the displacement of numerous non-mining related jobs and environmental goods and services, undermining efforts to promote non-consumptive utilisation of forest and environmental assets, combat climate change and protect biodiversity. It’s as if the assumption is that the mined gold can somehow replace the water, carbon sinks, and biodiversity that are being lost, which is a dangerously flawed notion fueled by greed.

Associated Community Rights Violations

Another critical issue associated with the increasing mining agenda is the blatant abuse of community and citizens’ rights to a healthy environment, sometimes with direct support from government actors. There has been a deliberate weakening of regulatory mechanisms that would ensure adherence to business and human rights principles. Respecting human rights in the extractive sector is further hampered by the absence of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a key governing policy and legal framework for concession allocation. Additionally, certain provisions in Ghana’s minerals and mining legal framework give precedence to mineral rights over surface rights, such as cultural, water services, and land use. This legal imbalance exacerbates community disempowerment and environmental injustice.

Socio-Economic Impacts

The socio-economic impacts of mining extend beyond environmental and health concerns. Mining communities often experience a decline in quality of life due to the influx of mining activities. Traditional livelihoods are disrupted, leading to unemployment and social instability. Additionally, the promised economic benefits of mining, such as job creation and infrastructure development, often fall short of expectations. Instead, these communities face with high cost of living and deteriorating living conditions, inadequate compensation, and a lack of meaningful development.

The Way Forward

Given these myriad challenges, it is clear that the current trajectory of Ghana’s mining sector is unsustainable and detrimental to the nation’s long-term prosperity. To mitigate these adverse effects, Ghana must adopt a more sustainable approach to mining. This should involve:

  • Urgently reviewing the legal framework for mineral governance in Ghana to prioritize FPIC and grant communities the right to accept or reject mining activities.
  • Implementing stringent regulation and oversight of mining activities, ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation of mining permits, and prioritizing the rights and needs of local communities, with a mandatory polluter-pay obligation for actors in the mining sector.
  • Establishing an unambiguous legal framework setting boundaries, limitations, and no-go areas for mining in Ghana that prioritize the protection of water bodies and watersheds, forest reserves, biodiversity havens, and culturally sensitive areas. LI 2462 must be repealed with immediate effect.
  • Adhering to and complying with existing legal frameworks on environmental impact assessments without political or elite capture and interference.
  • Ensuring full compliance with the Minamata Convention to safeguard our environment against the unregulated use of mercury within our mining sector.
  • Investing in sustainable agricultural practices and supporting farmers to enhance food security.
  • Rehabilitating degraded mining sites and preserving forests and biodiversity to restore ecological balance.
  • Addressing water pollution issues by enforcing the buffer zone regulatory policies and legal frameworks, while also embarking on an aggressive state led action to restore and protect our rivers and water bodies to guarantee citizens access to clean and safe water.

In conclusion, the quest to become the mining hub of Africa will not ensure our collective prosperity; instead, it will exacerbate climate risks, food insecurity, wealth inequalities, and environmental pollution and degradation. We need to rethink our approach and consider intergenerational equity, no matter how obsessed we are with mining. It is time for Ghana to strive towards a more balanced and sustainable future that benefits all its citizens, both now and for generations to come.

 

For inquiries, Contact:

Daryl Bosu

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp Image 2024-06-07 at 2.15.50 PM

Six Communities Get Renewable Energy Facilities

Renewable energy facilities have been established and handed over to six communities across four districts in the Upper West and Upper East Regions.

These facilities consist of Solar-powered mechanized boreholes, charging centers, street lamps, and eco-friendly shea processing units.

The project was made possible through funding from the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea, under the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. This initiative falls under the “Creating Lands of Opportunity: Transforming Livelihoods through Landscape Restoration in the Sahel (LoGMe)” project, led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Ghana) in collaboration with A Rocha Ghana, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savannah Agriculture Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), the Water Resources Commission, and the Department of Agriculture.

Solar-powered Borehole

The primary objective is to significantly contribute to landscape restoration in the Sahel while establishing income-generating opportunities for local communities. The LoGMe project is being executed in Dalaasa, Naadema (Builsa South District); Yamerga, Awaredone (Talensi District) in the Upper East Region; and Nanchala and Sakalu (Sisala East District) in the Upper West Region.

These renewable energy facilities aim to provide sustainable and efficient access to basic household electricity and meet community and production needs effectively.

The distribution of the facilities is as follows;

  • Nanchalla – solar mechanized borehole and shea processing center
  • Dalaasa  – solar mechanized borehole, solar charging center, solar street lamp, and shea processing center
  • Naadema – Shea processing center
  • Gbango – solar mechanized borehole, solar charging center, and solar street lamp,
  • Tarikome – solar charging center and solar street lamp
  • Yameriga – solar mechanized borehole
Blurred Clouds Email Header (2)

World Environment Day- Press Release

On the occasion of World Environment Day under the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” it is a critical moment for all state and non-state actors to reflect deeply on our environmental footprint. We must ask ourselves if we are proud with how we have stood by and allowed the destruction of our water bodies, forest reserves, and environment. Why have we become spectators, watching a few individuals, connected to the seat of government or otherwise, to plunder and destroy the priceless natural resources that have sustained us for generations?

What kind of future are we preparing to hand over to our children and their descendants?

On this special day, we all need to recognize the crucial responsibility in bringing about positive environmental changes. We all need to rise up in our communities, workplaces, and our homes to take action to end the unprecedented environmental destruction, particularly the scourge of irresponsible legal and illegal mining, that has led to the destruction of our productive lands, water bodies and forests and exposed citizens today and tomorrow to health, food insecurity and water scarcity risks.

While citizens respond to the clarion call to aggressively restore the land and plant more trees, we demand same commitment, without contradictions from our government in ensuring that our works are not in vain by taking action to secure existing forests and protecting the sanctity of our rivers and watersheds.

We call on the government to honor its commitments to ensuring a healthy environment and the well-being of Ghanaians by:

  1. Repealing LI 2462, which practically opens up all our forest reserves for mining. Immediate steps must be taken to suspend all mining concessions in these vital life supporting ecosystems.
  2. Acting swiftly to restore our water bodies and ensure quality water supply for all.
  3. As we approach Green Ghana Day on June 7th, a day meant to contribute to greening Ghana, it is important to remember that before planting new trees, we must first secure existing forests.

Our forests and waterbodies play a critical role in stopping the spread of desertification and contributing to Ghana’s drought resilience.

The government is reminded of its fiduciary duty to protect the welfare of Ghanaians. Leadership must take responsibility and rally us all towards sustainable development. The current impunity resulting in environmental destruction must end.

We wish everyone a memorable World Environment Day and urge all to take meaningful action for the future of our environment and our country, Ghana.

Long Live Ghana

Daryl Bosu
Deputy National Director
A Rocha Ghana
Tel: +233202555727
Email: [email protected]

Blurred Clouds Email Header (2)

Press Release: Notice of Civil Action Against the Government of Ghana

Recent developments resulting from the active actions of the Government of Ghana, which has led to unprecedented risk to convert Ghana’s protected forests such as Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) into logging and mining areas have compelled us to issue a formal notice of intent to pursue civil action against the Government of Ghana.

Our constituent team of CSOs include, A Rocha Ghana, Tropenbos Ghana, Civic Response, Nature and Development Foundation, and EcoCare Ghana. We have taken this critical step in accordance with Section 19(1) of the State Proceedings Act, 1998 (Act 555), to fulfil our constitutional duty in safeguarding the natural environment, as enshrined in Article 41(k) of the 1992 Constitution.

While acknowledging the Government’s developmental objectives and the imperative need to utilize natural resources for national progress, we are of the conviction that such utilization must strictly adhere to legal frameworks outlined in the 1992 Constitution, the Timber Resources Management Act, 1998 (ACT 547) as amended, and the Timber Resources Management and Licensing Regulation, 2017 (LI 2254). Of particular concern is the recent declassification of Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) within some forest reserves including the Subri River Forest Reserve and Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve, and the subsequent awarding of a Timber Utilization Contract to some logging Companies to operate in same.

 

See Full Statement HERE

443713867_850799083755846_5104468028733528262_n

BRACE project launched to improve sustainable mining to safeguard the environment and protect people

The European Union (EU) has launched the, “Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana (BRACE)”, project aimed at improving sustainable mining to safeguard the environment and protect individuals living in mining areas. BRACE underscores EU’s strong commitment to fostering responsible resource extraction practices that prioritize environmental preservation and the well-being of local communities. With EUR 1.718 million funding from the European Union, the BRACE project, implemented by a consortium of not-for-profit organisations (Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) and Nature and Development Foundation (NDF)) led by A Rocha Ghana, also aims to ensure adherence to human rights, transparency, and accountability in mineral governance by contributing to sustainable and equitable environmental management and good natural resource governance in Ghana. See Full Press Statement HERE
images (3)

Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana raises alarm over GMO

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has called on the Government of Ghana to halt all activities geared towards introducing Genetically Modified (GM) products onto the Ghanaian market.

According to them, government through multinational seeds companies and agents in Ghana has approved the commercialization of 14 novel GM products comprising eight maize and six soya beans products.

“The consequences of this approval are dire and mark the beginning of the loss of Ghana’s control of our own indigenous agricultural system, leaving it in the hands and control of powerful multinationals, who can decide and dictate the pace of our food system,” they added.
The penchant taste for laboratory seeds, they say, comes with serious negative implications on health, the economy and the environment.

See Full Statement HERE