The Centre for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS) recently organized a transformative capacity building workshop in Binsere, Obuasi. It aimed at deepening community understanding of the environmental and social impacts of mining, with a special focus on resettlement and compensation issues. The event brought together community members, traditional leaders, to reflect on the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the extractive sector, particularly gold mining, in Ghana.
Understanding the Real Costs of Mining
Drawing from years of research and community engagement, the CeSIS team presented compelling evidence of how surface mining operations especially in Obuasi have had a significant impact on communities. These include widespread displacement of farmers, destruction of water bodies, loss of livelihoods, and severe air and environmental pollution. The historical overview of Ghana’s “jungle booms” contextualized how mining evolved from local traditional activity to a capital-intensive industry dominated by multinational corporations.
Participants learned that while mining contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy—generating over \$11 billion in export revenue and \$1.6 billion in taxes in 2023—these benefits have often come at great social and environmental cost to host communities. The workshop emphasized the urgent need for balancing economic development with social justice and environmental sustainability.
Focusing on Resettlement and Compensation
The second part of the workshop centered on Ghana’s legal and institutional framework on resettlement and compensation. Facilitated by CeSIS’ Natural Resource Governance Analyst, Richard Ellimah, participants were guided through the historical inadequacies of the old mining laws (such as PNDCL 153) and the more comprehensive provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), including its Legislative Instrument (LI 2175).
Key issues discussed included:
- The rights of affected persons in compensation negotiations.
- Procedures and timelines for compensation payment.
- The role of the Resettlement Monitoring Committee.
- International best practices, including the IFC’s resettlement principles.
Participants critically examined gaps in implementation, such as elite capture of committees, poor community consultation, and gender exclusion. Discussions were vibrant and constructive, as participants shared personal experiences and brainstormed ways to strengthen community engagement and oversight in mining-affected areas.
CeSIS’ Role and Strategy
Since its inception in 2011, CeSIS has played a leading role in bridging the gap between evidence-based research and community advocacy. Through workshops like this, the organization empowers communities with the knowledge and tools to assert their rights, hold duty-bearers accountable, and demand transparency and fairness in resource governance.
The workshop also highlighted CeSIS’ success stories in facilitating fairer compensation processes, promoting environmental stewardship, and enhancing community-company dialogue efforts that have attracted global media attention.
Moving Forward
As Ghana continues to explore and expand its natural resource base, it is essential that the voices of mining-affected communities are not only heard but acted upon. The CeSIS workshop is a step in this direction creating an informed and empowered citizenry ready to engage constructively in shaping the future of mining in Ghana.
CeSIS remains committed to supporting such initiatives and calls on all stakeholders government, industry, civil society, and communities to work together toward a more inclusive and sustainable extractive sector.
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