Network for Women’s Rights and Environmental Governance (NEWREG ) has held a-Day’s Experience Sharing and Learning Workshop for women and women-led organizations operating in communities affected by Oil and Gold mining operations in Ghana.
The workshop, supported by Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) and Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA) was programmed to share experiences on issues concerning women and girls’ rights, livelihood destruction, environmental pollution, land degradation, human rights violations, biodiversity loss and climate change, all as a result of Oil and Gold mining operations and to strategize and formulate common agenda for national level advocacy campaigns and engagements.
In her welcome statement, Mrs. Emelia Konadu Kyeremeh, Chairperson of NEWREG, highlighted Ghana’s wealth of natural resources such as gold, oil, and diamonds, which have made the country the leading gold producer in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the exploitation of these resources often leads to significant negative impacts on local communities, including displacement, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses.
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Mrs Konadu Kyeremeh explained that the workshop aimed to address the negative impacts of mining and oil extraction on women and girls, including livelihood destruction, environmental pollution, land degradation, and human rights violations. It also sought to strategize on national advocacy campaigns.
Established in 2022, NEWREG is a network of women’s organizations working to promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, and ensure the protection of women’s and girls’ rights in Ghana’s natural resource-rich regions. The network’s members are based in regions like Bono, Ahafo, and Ashanti, among others.
The Grant Advisor for the Global GreengrantsFund(GGF), West African Advisory Board Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku in his submission explained GGF, as a leading grant making organization, supports grassroots` efforts to protect the environment and the rights of people with its headquarters in Boulder, USA.
He briefly touched on the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action, (GAGGA) and emphasized that it is a network of organizations that support environmental and gender justice.
He said GAGGA connects and supports community-based organizations, NGOs, with funds to advocate for gender and environmental justice, while providing grants and other resources to help these organizations to strengthen their capacity for research.
Mr. Solomon Ofori, a participant from Bibiani indicated that at Bibiani open pit mining causes land degradation and farmlands with food stuffs such as cassava, cocoyam, plantain as well as cocoa are destroyed without any adequate compensation.
MrOfori said, “The blasting causes damage to buildings and home appliances. When affected person’s report it to them, the authority doesn’t show up. The dust that emanates from the blasting causes water and air pollution. This has brought about respiratory diseases among residents in the areas”
He also raised human Rights issue, alleging that there are instances of military brutalities some of which lead to deaths. The mining company’s compensation, he indicated, are nothing to write home about and poor farmers having issues with it.
Mr Abraham Tasha, from Chirano reported a lack of proper agreements on resettlement, inadequate educational support for local children, and discrimination in employment opportunities.
Benedicta Kyem Moses, a participant also raised concerns about mining companies’ disregard for farmers’ rights, destruction of farmlands, and insufficient transport options for farming produce.
Water pollution and inadequate compensation agreements were reported, along with court litigation between farmers and the company, particularly in New Abirem where Newmont Mining company operates.
Some participants also spoke about environmental pollution, low IQs, and limited employment opportunities for locals in the Obuasi area where AngloGold Ashanti operates.
On the issues of bad fishing practices, Hon.Michael Bentil-Arthur said unapproved fishing methods such as the use of mono-filament nets, DDT, and carbide has been on the rise, adding that such methods harm fish populations and pose health risks.
He also highlighted the lack of supervision by authorities and poor waste management in coastal areas.
At the end of workshop, it was recommended among others the need to create a documentary about affected people who have not received compensation as well as petitioning both local and international organizations for redress.
Source: Publicagenda.News
