<p><strong>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.</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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&#8217;s natural resources, including water bodies, fisheries, forests, and biodiversity.</p>
<p>They highlighted several critical issues stemming from illegal mining activities:</p>
<p>&#8211; Environmental Damage: Illegal mining leads to the contamination of water bodies, depletion of fisheries, deforestation, and significant loss of biodiversity.</p>
<p>&#8211; Socioeconomic Disruption: The activities disrupt livelihoods, cause land dispossession, and compromise public health due to pollution.</p>
<p>&#8211; Legal and Regulatory Failures: Incoherent laws, lack of enforcement, and weak policies exacerbate the illegal mining crisis, facilitating illicit financial flows and organized crime.</p>
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<h4>Key Recommendations</h4>
<p>Recognizing the urgent need for policy reform and unwavering political commitment, the forum outlined a series of recommendations across various sectors:</p>
<h5>Forestry</h5>
<p>&#8211; 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.</p>
<p>&#8211; National Forest Restoration Program: Implement a comprehensive restoration program for areas degraded by mining activities.</p>
<p>&#8211; Transparent Allocation of Mining Concessions: Ensure that the Minerals Commission maintains transparency and accountability in the allocation of mining concessions.</p>
<h5>Fisheries</h5>
<p>-Assessment of Fisheries Resources: Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of illegal gold mining on fisheries and water quality.</p>
<p>&#8211; Enforcement of Mining Prohibitions: Strictly enforce regulations prohibiting mining in water bodies and fisheries habitats.</p>
<p>&#8211; Water Quality Monitoring: Establish a river monitoring system to track pollution levels and improve collaboration towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.</p>
<h5>Land</h5>
<p>&#8211; Repeal of the Minerals and Mining Act 2006: Revise legislation to protect land and the environment from mining activities.</p>
<p>&#8211; Legal Aid for Affected Communities: Provide legal support to community members, including displaced farmers, whose land rights have been violated.</p>
<p>&#8211; Awareness Programs: Enhance community awareness about land documentation processes.</p>
<h5>Water and Sanitation</h5>
<p>&#8211; 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.</p>
<p>&#8211; Buffer Zone Legislation: Fast-track the establishment of laws to protect buffer zones around water bodies.</p>
<p>&#8211; Increased Funding for Regulatory Bodies: Allocate more resources to regulatory institutions to strengthen protections against illegal mining.</p>
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<h5>Mining</h5>
<p>&#8211; Repeal of LI 2462: Repeal regulations allowing mining in forest reserves.</p>
<p>&#8211; Update Mining Legislation: Expedite the revision of the Minerals and Mining Act 703 to reflect current industry practices and enforce existing illegal mining laws.</p>
<p>&#8211; Support for Small-Scale Miners: Facilitate access to geological data and financing for small-scale miners to minimize environmental damage.</p>
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<h5>Oil and Gas</h5>
<p>&#8211; Regulated Fuel Supply for Small-Scale Mining: Introduce a regulated fuel supply system to prevent unregulated practices in small-scale mining.</p>
<p>&#8211; Monitoring and Enforcement: Establish effective monitoring systems, including undercover surveillance, to deter illegal mining operations.</p>
<p>&#8211; Review Tax and Revenue Sharing: Modify the tax and revenue-sharing regime to ensure mining communities receive fair benefits.</p>
<h5>Climate Change &; Environment</h5>
<p>&#8211; Enact Strong Environmental Protections: Develop and enforce robust legislation to protect sensitive areas from mining-related destruction.</p>
<p>&#8211; Innovative Support for Communities: Implement climate finance and agricultural insurance to help communities cope with the impacts of illegal mining.</p>
<h5>Conclusion</h5>
<p>The KASA Initiative Ghana calls for immediate action from government authorities and stakeholders to implement these recommendations effectively.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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