EU commits €1.7m to Ghana’s mining sector

The European Union (EU) has committed €1.718 million to Ghana’s mining sector. The funds will be designated to the ‘Building Resilient and Active Communities in Extractive Landscapes in Ghana (BRACE)’ project.

The project’s goal is to promote responsible mining practices in the country. This three-year initiative aims to protect both the environment and the communities within mining areas, guided by A Rocha Ghana and implemented by a consortium of non-profit organizations, including WACAM and the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF).

The BRACE project seeks to foster a culture of respect for human rights, transparency, and accountability in mineral governance. By advocating for sustainable and fair environmental management, it aims to reshape the extractive industry’s landscape in Ghana. The project reflects the EU’s longstanding commitment to upholding social and environmental rights in the mining sector.

Responsible mining

Ghana is one of Africa’s largest gold producers. Gold is the most commercially exploited mineral in Ghana, accounting for about 95% of the country’s mineral revenue. Other commercially exploited minerals in Ghana are manganese, bauxite, and diamonds. Massimo Mina, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ghana, emphasized the need for a responsible mining sector that minimizes environmental impacts and maximizes socio-economic benefits for local populations.

He highlighted the severe environmental and social issues caused by irresponsible mining practices over the last two decades, including land loss, water contamination, and health issues for communities near mining sites. Mina pointed out that recent legislation in Ghana has facilitated large-scale mining in forest reserves and Ramsar sites, threatening the country’s remaining natural forests and biodiversity. He also stressed the urgent need for Ghana to redirect its legal framework toward sustainability, enforce existing laws, and ensure compliance with internationally recognized principles of responsible business, good governance, and human rights.

Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, the National Director of A Rocha Ghana, underscored the importance of balancing diverse interests in landscapes, from food and water security to sustainable forest management and climate resilience. He emphasized that the mining industry must respect community rights and ensure equitable benefits from various land uses. Daryl Bosu, the Project Coordinator, called for the incorporation of social and environmental safeguards into Ghana’s minerals and mining policy, highlighting the importance of principles such as Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in promoting responsible mineral governance.