KASA Initiative Ghana calls for urgent policy reforms to combat illegal mining

The KASA Initiative Ghana has issued a communique at the conclusion of its 15th Annual Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Natural Resources and Environment Sector Review Forum, held from December 3 to 4, 2024, at the Erata Hotel in East Legon, Accra.

The forum, themed “Confronting the Scourge of Illegal Mining: Required Policy Change and the Role of Political Commitment, “brought together representatives from seven coalitions of NGOs and CSOs to address the pressing issue of illegal mining in Ghana.

In a statement presented by Steering Committee Chairman Mr. Albert Katako, the participants expressed deep concern over the devastating impacts of illegal mining on Ghana’s natural resources, including water bodies, fisheries, forests, and biodiversity.

They highlighted several critical issues stemming from illegal mining activities:

– Environmental Damage: Illegal mining leads to the contamination of water bodies, depletion of fisheries, deforestation, and significant loss of biodiversity.

– Socioeconomic Disruption: The activities disrupt livelihoods, cause land dispossession, and compromise public health due to pollution.

– Legal and Regulatory Failures: Incoherent laws, lack of enforcement, and weak policies exacerbate the illegal mining crisis, facilitating illicit financial flows and organized crime.

 

Key Recommendations

Recognizing the urgent need for policy reform and unwavering political commitment, the forum outlined a series of recommendations across various sectors:

Forestry

– Revocation of Mining Concessions: The government should complete the revocation of LI 2462 and all existing mining concessions in forest reserves, designating these areas as no-go zones for mining.

– National Forest Restoration Program: Implement a comprehensive restoration program for areas degraded by mining activities.

– Transparent Allocation of Mining Concessions: Ensure that the Minerals Commission maintains transparency and accountability in the allocation of mining concessions.

Fisheries

-Assessment of Fisheries Resources: Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of illegal gold mining on fisheries and water quality.

– Enforcement of Mining Prohibitions: Strictly enforce regulations prohibiting mining in water bodies and fisheries habitats.

– Water Quality Monitoring: Establish a river monitoring system to track pollution levels and improve collaboration towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.

Land

– Repeal of the Minerals and Mining Act 2006: Revise legislation to protect land and the environment from mining activities.

– Legal Aid for Affected Communities: Provide legal support to community members, including displaced farmers, whose land rights have been violated.

– Awareness Programs: Enhance community awareness about land documentation processes.

Water and Sanitation

– Shadow Report on Water Pollution: Develop a report on the effects of water pollution on health and livelihoods for submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment.

– Buffer Zone Legislation: Fast-track the establishment of laws to protect buffer zones around water bodies.

– Increased Funding for Regulatory Bodies: Allocate more resources to regulatory institutions to strengthen protections against illegal mining.

 

Mining

– Repeal of LI 2462: Repeal regulations allowing mining in forest reserves.

– Update Mining Legislation: Expedite the revision of the Minerals and Mining Act 703 to reflect current industry practices and enforce existing illegal mining laws.

– Support for Small-Scale Miners: Facilitate access to geological data and financing for small-scale miners to minimize environmental damage.

 

Oil and Gas

– Regulated Fuel Supply for Small-Scale Mining: Introduce a regulated fuel supply system to prevent unregulated practices in small-scale mining.

– Monitoring and Enforcement: Establish effective monitoring systems, including undercover surveillance, to deter illegal mining operations.

– Review Tax and Revenue Sharing: Modify the tax and revenue-sharing regime to ensure mining communities receive fair benefits.

Climate Change & Environment

– Enact Strong Environmental Protections: Develop and enforce robust legislation to protect sensitive areas from mining-related destruction.

– Innovative Support for Communities: Implement climate finance and agricultural insurance to help communities cope with the impacts of illegal mining.

Conclusion

The KASA Initiative Ghana calls for immediate action from government authorities and stakeholders to implement these recommendations effectively.

The forum concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for collaborative efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources and promote sustainable development for future generations.

 

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