Building resilient and active communities in extractive landscapes – WACAM sensitizes communities

A non profitable Non Governmental Organization, WACAM goes the next step to sensitize communities in Fanteakwa South District in the eastern region of Ghana on promoting human rights and responsible governance in Ghana’s Extractive sector.

The all important program was held at the Catholicc Church in Akyem Saamang and was highly participated by the various stakeholders

Some key concerns raised by the participants included; loss of lands to illegal miners, pollution of water bodies by miners, extortion of their mineral royalties, inadequate access to information on the extractive sector, and the need for improved tracking mechanism for minerals mined among others.

The sensitization program also highlighted the importance of community participation and engagement in decision-making processes by extractive actors. It emphasized the need for communities to be vigilant and hold both the government and private extractive actors accountable for their actions.

Participants were also educated on the existing laws and regulations regarding extractive activities, and how they could use the legal system to seek redress and protect their rights. They were also encouraged to form community watchdog committees to monitor extractive activities and report any violations to appropriate authorities.

The Executive Director of WACAM, Mrs Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, urged communities to be proactive in protecting their natural resources and holding extractive actors accountable for their actions. She stressed the need for a more coordinated effort from all stakeholders to ensure sustainable and equitable environmental management.

The sensitization program served as a wake-up call for communities to actively participate in environmental decision-making processes and hold both the government and private extractive actors accountable for their actions. It also emphasized the importance of building resilient and active communities in extractive landscapes for sustainable development in Ghana.

The collaboration between the government security agencies, judicial bodies and the citizenry would be critical in dealing with the mining issues in the country. “No nation will attain its sustainable development goals if the good natural resource governance is lacking”

It was also acknowledged that it’s a 3 year project funded by the European union with Arocha Ghana being the implementing lead, Nature and Development Foundation and WACAM also implementing partners.

Same sensitization program will also go on at Nkwateng and Adausena communities. Let’s help protect our water bodies and other natural resources for the generations yet unborn.