Stakeholders Call for Urgent Amendments to Minerals and Mining Act

Sunyani: Stakeholders in the mining sector have called for an urgent review and amendment of the Minerals and Mining Act to ensure the nation derives optimum benefits from its mining activities. They emphasized the importance of renegotiating mining royalties, compensations, and other benefits to improve development in mining communities and enhance the socio-economic livelihoods of those affected by mining activities.According to Ghana News Agency, the call was made by a diverse group of stakeholders, including chiefs, queens, and opinion leaders from mining-affected communities, Civil Society Organizations, Assembly Members, Persons with Disabilities, and women-led organizations. The stakeholders gathered at a two-day validation workshop in Sunyani, organized by the Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) in collaboration with Wacam and the Media Foundation for West Africa, with support from Oxfam in Ghana.The workshop was also attended by representatives from various government agencies, including the C ommission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, security services, coordinating directors, and the National Association of Small Scale Mining. It followed a study on human rights violations and abuses conducted by CSOs in mining communities around the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Akyem and Ahafo South Mines, aiming to explore actionable recommendations for enhancing accountability, governance, and community resilience.The stakeholders voiced concerns that certain provisions in Act 703 had become outdated, allowing mining companies to exploit the nation's gold resources. They asserted that amending the Act would be in the nation's best interest and expressed regret over the persistent human rights abuses and violations in some mining communities. They urged the government to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of Act 703 by mining companies.Osabarima Addai Asubonteng, the Ankobeahene of the Bechem Traditional Area, stressed the need for a review and amendment of Act 703 to ensure equitable and transparent distribution of mining revenue, promote environmental justice, and guarantee responsible mining for environmental sustainability. He called for the establishment of active community advocacy groups in mining areas to mitigate violent confrontations and agitations.Bernard Fosu, an Assembly Member at Techire, a mining community near the Newmont Ahafo North project, highlighted the need to educate mining communities on Act 703. He lamented the infringement on privacy, dignity, tradition, and culture, urging mining companies to provide compensation and help preserve local traditions and culture.Earlier, Dr. Samuel Obiri, Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), guided stakeholders through discussions on mining compensations, royalties, and provisions in the Act. Mr. Owusu Koranteng, Executive Director of Wacam, encouraged stakeholders to collaborate effectively in addressing the challenges facing mining communities.