Rise Up and Defend Your Lands from Destructions - Mining Communities Urged

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Rise Up and Defend Your Lands from Destructions - Mining Communities Urged

Mining-affected communities have been urged to take the lead in protecting their own lands, water bodies and livelihoods from irresponsible mining activities, as concerns grow over the environmental and social impacts of mining in Ghana.

The call was made by Lawyer Augustine Niber, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), during a stakeholder engagement on "Mining-Induced Barriers to the Wellbeing of Communities and Children Affected by Mining" organised by Wacam with support from DKA Austria in Sunyani.

The engagement brought together stakeholders from the Tano North Municipality in the Ahafo Region and formed part of ongoing efforts by the organization to amplify the voices of mining-affected communities, especially those within the fenceline communities of the Newmont Ahafo South Mine.

Addressing participants, Mr. Niber stressed that communities directly affected by mining must become active defenders of their rights and environment.

"To win the fight against illegal mining, the people who are affected themselves must rise up against the illegal activities of both licensed and unlicensed mining companies," he stated.

According to him, political interests and weak enforcement continue to undermine efforts to address irresponsible mining practices, while some local leaders have also failed to adequately defend the interest of their communities.

He urged the citizens to hold duty-bearers accountable and use lawful community mobilization to demand responsible mining and environmental protection.

Mr. Niber reminded the participants that the 1992 Constitution of Ghana places a duty on both the State and citizens to protect the environment. He cited Article 36(9), which mandates the State to safeguard the environment for future generations, and Article 41(k), which requires citizens to protect and preserve the natural environment.

He also noted that under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the rights of affected communities extend beyond compensation and include meaningful protection of livelihoods, health and the environment.

"The rights of mining-affected communities should not be reduced to compensation alone," he stressed.

Mr. Niber further called for sustained community education on environmental rights and mining laws, warning that unchecked exploitation of natural resources could dangerously threaten the welfare of future generations.

"The greed of this generation is becoming too much. Our leaders want to exhaust the natural resources entrusted to them without thinking about posterity," he lamented.

However, health professionals from the Pediatric Department of the Sunyani Teaching Hospital in a presentation on theme warned that children in mining communities remained highly vulnerable to contaminated water, air pollution and other environmental hazards, exposing them to long-term health risks including respiratory illnesses and physical disabilities. Led by Ms. Erica Brempong, the team called for intensified public health education and stricter environmental monitoring to curb the growing incidence of preventable mining-related health conditions among children.

Most of the stakeholders in confirming the extent of destruction to the environment, water sources and livelihoods expressed much disappointment about government’s inability to properly control, regulate and strictly monitor the operations of mining companies, especially the large scale mining companies.

They raised concerns about the impact of mining activities on children, agriculture, water resources and public health, noting that such challenges undermine Ghana's commitments under international child rights frameworks.

At the end of the engagement, the stakeholders pledged to strengthen community advocacy and support campaigns promoting responsible mining, environmental accountability and greater protection of community rights.