The National Coalition on Mining reports that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has declared that mining will no longer be allowed in protected forest reserves. This decision follows years of allowing Ghana’s remaining forests to be open to mining concessions, which have displaced thousands of citizens and contaminated water supplies. Read the article here.
This victory is the result of persistent pressure from the members of the National Coalition on Mining. The Coalition began mobilizing for accountability from the mining industry in 2001 with only four member organizations. Today, there are over 30 community associations and national non-governmental organizations working together in the Coalition. The Coalition is now recognized as a powerful advocacy network, capable of voicing peoples’ concerns at the government level and using community pressure to influence the mining industry and government policy.
In 2003, the government proposed a new ruling to open previously protected forest reserves to mining. The Coalition successfully advocated for a change in that policy, reducing the number of forest reserves earmarked for mining from 2% of forest reserves to .01%. This latest victory, banning all mining in forest reserves, is the culmination of close to a decade of organizing and advocacy efforts.
Greengrants has supported the Coalition and its members in this work with more than 20 small grants since 2002. From researching forest legislation, to community education about the impacts of mining, to advocacy campaigns at the regional, national and continental levels, these locally-led groups have had a tremendous positive effect for the future of Ghana’s people and forests. Their commitment and leadership have changed the landscape, literally, for poor communities throughout the region, and led to increased pressure for accountability and transparency from mining companies as well as the Ghanaian government.
To find out more about this work, click here and here. You can also learn more about the Coalition’s latest projects on the website of member organization, the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining.
We extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Ghana National Coalition on Mining and its partners, and look forward to keeping you up-to-date on their innovative and powerful work.