Akim oda: Friends of the Nation (FoN), in collaboration with Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), has organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for small-scale miners in Akim Oda, aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices. The workshop, supported by Oxfam under the Fair for All project, brought together stakeholders including the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM), the Association of Women Small-Scale Miners (ASWiM), and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Solomon Kusi Ampofo, Project Coordinator at FoN, stated that the training was designed to equip miners with technical knowledge, legal awareness, and inclusive dialogue tools to improve operations in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. He emphasized the importance of moving away from harmful practices and adopting mercury-free techniques like borax, which are safer and more cost-effective. Mr. Ampofo also highlighted the necessity of prioritizing occupational health and safety through the consistent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Mr. Sylvester Awozum, Acting Director of the Akim Oda Area Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), underscored the legal framework governing mining activities, noting that no Ghanaian can legally mine without an EPA permit. The permit allows the EPA to monitor operations and enforce best practices aligned with Ghana’s environmental sustainability goals.
Dr. Asare Asante-Annor from UMaT educated participants on ore body identification and geological mapping, stating that understanding the geology of a site is crucial for reducing environmental damage and maximizing resource recovery. Meanwhile, Ms. Dorcas Mawuena Gakpetor, Project Officer at WiLDAF, highlighted the importance of gender inclusion in the extractive sector, encouraging women miners to adopt responsible practices to challenge negative public perceptions.
Mr. Royal Antwi, Birim Central Municipal Planning Officer, discussed the role of local government in shaping mining policy, emphasizing the need for stakeholder input to refine the new mining cooperatives scheme. As part of the workshop’s practical component, participants visited a gold concession site near Akim Oda Nkwanta to observe health, safety, and environmental practices in action.
Mrs. Victoria Adobea Guerrieri, National Women’s Coordinator of GNASSM, engaged with women miners at the site, urging them to pursue ownership of mining concessions to ensure equitable access to resources. The workshop aligns with Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Policy, which promotes sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and gender equity in the mining sector.