KASA Initiative Ghana advocates for urgent policy reforms to tackle illegal mining

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

Under the theme "Confronting the Scourge of Illegal Mining: Required Policy Change and the Role of Political Commitment, the forum brought together representatives from seven coalitions of natural resource-related NGOs and CSOs to address the critical issue of illegal mining in Ghana.

Key Findings from the Forum
The communique, presented by SC Chairman Mr. Albert Katako, highlighted several pressing concerns regarding illegal mining and its detrimental effects on the environment and local communities:

- Environmental Degradation: Illegal mining leads to contamination of water bodies, depletion of fisheries, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.

- Socioeconomic Impact: Mining activities disrupt livelihoods, result in land dispossession, and pose significant health risks due to pollution.

- Legal Challenges: Incoherent laws and lack of enforcement exacerbate the illegal mining crisis, creating pathways for illicit financial flows and organized crime.

Recommendations for Policy Change
In response to these concerns, the forum provided a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining across various sectors:

1. Forestry
- Complete the revocation of all existing mining concessions in forest reserves, designating these areas as strictly off-limits to mining activities.

- Implement a national forest restoration program to rehabilitate areas significantly impacted by mining.

- Ensure transparency in the allocation of mining concessions.

2. Fisheries
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of fisheries resources to evaluate the impact of illegal mining on fish populations and water quality.

- Enforce a strict prohibition on mining activities within water bodies and fisheries habitats.

- Establish a river monitoring system to track pollution levels and enhance collaboration to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 objectives.

3. Land
- Repeal the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 to protect land and the environment from destructive mining practices.

- Provide legal assistance to community members, including displaced farmers, whose land rights have been violated.

- Improve community awareness regarding land documentation processes.

4. Water and Sanitation
- Develop a shadow report assessing the impact of water pollution on health and livelihoods for submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment.

- Expedite the development and implementation of legal instruments to enforce buffer zones that protect water bodies.

- Increase funding for regulatory institutions, such as the Water Resources Commission and Environmental Protection Agency, to enhance the protection of water resources.

5. Mining
- Repeal the LI 2462 regulation that permits mining in forest reserves.

- Revise the Minerals and Mining Act to reflect current industry trends and enforce existing laws against illegal mining operations.

- Provide small-scale miners with access to geological data and financing to minimize environmental destruction.

6. Oil and Gas
- Introduce a regulated fuel supply system for small-scale mining operations to control illicit distribution practices.

- Implement robust monitoring mechanisms, including undercover surveillance, to deter illegal activities.

- Review the tax and revenue-sharing framework to ensure mining communities benefit more from local resources.

7. Climate Change & Environment
- Enact strong legislation to protect critical environmental areas and enforce penalties for offenders.

- Implement innovative mechanisms, like climate finance and agricultural insurance, to protect communities from the adverse effects of illegal mining activities.

Conclusion
The KASA Initiative Ghana emphasizes the urgent need for cohesive policy reforms and unwavering political commitment to effectively combat illegal mining. The forum concluded with a powerful call to action for all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, and local communities, to work together in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources for sustainable development.

Source:Joseph Kobla Wemakor