Ghana mining groups call for improved accountability and land reclamation

Environmental advocacy groups in Ghana are raising concerns regarding the impact of gold extraction on local communities and the environment. WACAM has warned that prioritizing mineral extraction over livelihoods and natural resources threatens the country's future. The organization emphasized that legal rights are often inaccessible to farmers due to the high costs of legal challenges and lengthy court proceedings, calling for a broader definition of “responsible mining” that includes community dignity and environmental protection.

In a related effort to monitor environmental impacts, Lands and Mines Watch Ghana (LMWG) announced a field monitoring exercise in the Ashanti and Western Regions. The initiative aims to assess land reclamation efforts, including backfilling, revegetation, and compliance with environmental permits. LMWG will inspect sites managed by both the government and private companies, such as Newmont Ghana Limited and AngloGold Ashanti, while engaging local chiefs, farmers, and women’s groups to document concerns regarding water quality, compensation, and the effects of illegal mining on farmlands and forest reserves.