The European Union (EU) has launched its latest project, dubbed “Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana (BRACE)”.
The key objective of the project is to improve sustainable mining to safeguard the environment and protect individuals living in mining areas.
Under the project BRACE, the EU will foster responsible resource extraction practices that prioritise environmental preservation and the well-being of local communities.
The project has 1.718 million euros in funding from the European Union.
It is being implemented by a consortium of not-for-profit organisations (WACAM and Nature and Development Foundation (NDF)) led by A Rocha Ghana.
It seeks to ensure adherence to human rights, transparency, and accountability in mineral governance by contributing to sustainable and equitable environmental management and good natural resource governance in Ghana.
The BRACE project targets a diverse array of stakeholders, including community-based organisations (CBOs), especially youth groups and women’s groups, civil society organisations (CSOs), traditional authorities (TAs) in host mining communities, media partners, community resource management area (CREMA) executive committees (CECs) and their communities, and partners from the extractive industry and mining communities.
Speaking about the project, Massimo Mina, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Ghana, said, “Mining is important for local jobs and revenues. But mining operations can be the cause of serious damage to local communities and the environment.”.
He stated Ghana’s extractive sector is vital to
the nation’s economy, contributing significantly to export revenues, while mining in rural areas also provides much-needed income and jobs for many.
“The global demand for minerals, in particular transition minerals and other strategic minerals, keeps rising and is projected to increase in the future even further. The government of Ghana plans to develop the country as a mining hub for such minerals,” he said.
He said irresponsible mining practices by both licensed and unlicensed mining operators in the last two decades have resulted in serious negative environmental and social impacts, and communities residing near large-scale mining sites endure loss of land, contamination of water sources by toxic substances, and health diseases.
“A responsible mining sector is urgently needed and possible. We are ready to act with our partners to make mining better work for the people and minimise environmental impacts. We want to open up ways for a more sustainable development of Ghana,” he added.
On his part, Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, the National Director of A Rocha Ghana, emphasised the significance of acknowledging the diverse interests within our landscapes, spanning food and water security, sustainable forest management for ecosystem services, and climate resilience.
He indicated that there is a need for a balanced mining framework that respects community rights to benefit from these various land uses.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
