AMRV trains volunteers to monitor mineral revenues in Asutifi North

The Ahafo Minerals Revenue Watch Volunteers (AMRV), with support from the Global Greengrants Fund (GGF), has trained a new group of community volunteers to support the monitoring the utilization of the mineral revenues accruing to mining communities in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.

The initiative seeks to strengthen community participation, transparency and accountability in the management of revenues generated from mining activities, particularly those accruing to communities affected by mining operations.

The Asutifi North District hosts Newmont’s Ahafo South Mine, from which various forms of revenue and development benefits accrue to the host communities.

The latest training brought together community members who are expected to serve as “Revenue Watch Volunteers” and actively monitor how mineral revenues are allocated and utilised for the benefit of residents.

Over the years, AMRV has trained about 30 volunteers from communities including Kenyasi Number One, Kenyasi Number Two, OLA Resettlement, Ntotroso, Gyedu and Wamahinso.

The initial batch of volunteers received training with support from the STAR-Ghana Foundation, while the latest intervention is being supported by the GGF.

Empowerment
The project is designed to empower mining-affected communities with the knowledge and skills required to monitor mineral revenue allocation, engage duty bearers and advocate for investments that respond to their most pressing development needs.

AMRV believes mineral wealth should translate into improved living conditions for people in mining communities rather than contribute to poverty, displacement and environmental degradation.

The organisation's mission is to promote transparency, accountability and community participation in the management of mineral revenues, with particular emphasis on ensuring that resources are channelled into critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and environmental protection.

Under the GGF-supported project, community members from OLA Resettlement, Kenyasi Number One and Kenyasi Number Two, Ntotroso and Wamahinso are being equipped to undertake grassroots advocacy and track mineral revenue allocation and expenditure in their respective communities.

The project also seeks to strengthen the capacity of mining-affected communities to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes concerning the utilisation of mineral revenues.

AMRV expects that the increased involvement of additional community members will contribute to improved allocation of mineral revenues towards infrastructure development, education, healthcare, environmental conservation and other initiatives capable of enhancing the socio-economic wellbeing of residents.

Prudent management
Speaking as the main resource person at the training, the Executive Director of Livelihood & Environment Ghana (LEG), Mr Richard Adjei-Poku, stressed the need for mining revenues to be managed prudently because mineral resources are finite.

He noted that mineral resource exploitation is usually accompanied by environmental and social consequences which extend beyond the current generation. Therefore, proceeds generated from their exploitation must be invested wisely to create lasting benefits for both present and future generations.

Mr Adjei-Poku urged the volunteers to take their responsibilities seriously by monitoring the utilisation of mineral revenues and engaging relevant stakeholders whenever they identified gaps or concerns.

He said ensuring that mining revenues were invested in sustainable development projects was critical to safeguarding the future of communities that depended on mineral resources today.

The Ahafo Minerals Revenue Watch Volunteers is therefore expected to provide communities with a stronger voice in determining development priorities while promoting accountability among institutions responsible for managing and investing mineral revenues.

Through the project, AMRV hopes to build a network of informed and active citizens capable of influencing decisions on mineral revenue utilisation and ensuring that mining communities derive meaningful and sustainable benefits from the resources extracted from their areas.

The training was facilitated by Akua Hawa and Alex Badu.