By Emelia B. Addae
Akim Oda (E/R), Sept. 10, GNA – 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).
Addressing participants, Mr. Solomon Kusi Ampofo, Project Coordinator at FoN, said 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.
“Responsible mining begins with geological surveying and feasibility studies,” Mr. Ampofo told participants. “We must move away from harmful practices and embrace mercury-free techniques like borax, which are safer and more cost-effective.”
He urged miners to prioritize occupational health and safety, stressing that “the consistent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not optional; it’s a necessity for survival and sustainability.”
Mr. Sylvester Awozum, Acting Director of the Akim Oda Area Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasized the legal framework governing mining activities.
“No Ghanaian can legally mine without an EPA permit,” he said, citing the EPA Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652).
He added that the permit enabled the EPA to monitor operations and enforce best practices aligned with Ghana’s environmental sustainability goals.
Dr. Asare Asante-Annor of UMaT educated participants on ore body identification and geological mapping, stating that, “Understanding the geology of your site is key to reducing environmental damage and maximizing resource recovery.”
Ms. Dorcas Mawuena Gakpetor, Project Officer at WiLDAF, highlighted the importance of gender inclusion in the extractive sector.
“Women face unique barriers in mining, and our role is to ensure their rights are protected and their voices heard,” she said.
She encouraged women miners to adopt responsible practices to challenge negative public perceptions, saying, “We must show that small-scale mining can be legal, safe, and empowering, especially for women.”
Mr. Royal Antwi, Birim Central Municipal Planning Officer, spoke on the role of local government in shaping mining policy.
“Stakeholder input is vital to refining the new mining cooperatives scheme,” he said, calling for collaborative efforts to improve policy outcomes.
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 and urged them to pursue ownership of mining concessions.
“Equitable access to resources is our goal, and I will continue advocating for women’s inclusion at every level,” she said.
The workshop aligns with Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Policy, which promotes sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and gender equity in the mining sector.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/George-Ramsey Benamba