It appears monitoring and evaluation of firms in Ghana’s mining sector, especially the small- scale sector needs some overhaul.
Some recent development over the past three months in the Eastern and Western Region have raised question and reignited the debate of monitoring and evaluation of players in the mining sector.
For some critics believe the development and the response from duty bearers raises question about wether monitoring and evaluation in the sector is a reality or myth in Ghana?
It will be recalled that in August this year, the deputy Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources George Mireku Duker directed one of such firms, Akroma Gold Company Ltd to address some irregularities at the mine in 90-days or face sanctions.
Among the irregularities were poor environment for operation, absence of a canteen for workers, no changing room for workers among others.
Mireku Duker gave the directive after paying a working visit to the mine at Nkwakaw in the Eastern Region on Friday (18 August).
This is not the first time the company in question has been in the news.
Prior to the visit, Ghanaian workers at Akroma Gold Mines had earlier demonstrated against the Chinese employers in the Kwahu West Districts in the Eastern Region, for their human rights abuses and the working conditions of their employees.
Below is a video of an altercation between some of the workers and their employer:
Slavery
A deputy general secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress(TUC) Jerry Kwabena Ando told Accra based Onua Fm that the workers have been among others been subjected to constant threat despite the poor working condition.
“What we need is the welfare of our members, for over four years a lot of things have not been going on well with management and workers of the company.
“The fact that the chinese are running the operations of the company does not mine the workers must be subjected to slavery.”
“Decent work at the mine over there is under attack and we are not happy about the development. The workers are are under constant threat,” Andoh said.
Another instance
At least five people lost their lives after an explosion at chinese-owned quarry in Shama, which left many injured in September 2023 in the Western Region.
Reacting to the development in a statement, the Commision said the quarry in question was operating illegally.
Shortly after the disaster, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) undertook a major reshuffle exercise including a transfer of the Western Regional Director and others after an explosion at chinese-owned quarry in Shama, Graphiconline reported.
Reshuffle
Desmond Boahen, the Western Regional Head for the Minerals Commission has been transferred to the Eastern Region
Samuel Gyabaah, the Head at the Ashanti Regional Office has been transferred from Kumasi to Takoradi to lead the Western Regional team.
Paul Dawson, the Environmental Manager at the Commission is now the regional head for Ashanti Region, the Daily Graphic reported.
Another Reshuffle
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also joined in the fray to reshuffle its staff after the incident.
Its Western Regional Director, Dr George Diawuo was directed to move to the head office in Accra for re-assignment.
The Central Regional Director, Shan Fiagome was assigned to take over responsibilities in the Western Region.
Other regional directors including the Ashanti Regional Director were also reshuffled.
The Ashanti Regional Director, Samuel Oteng was assigned to Accra West in Amasaman.
Dr Jackson Adiyie from Ahafo was re-assigned to Ashanti and Omanhene Kwaku Boateng of Ada area was moved to Central Region.
Absurd
Speaking to Fred Dzakpata on the development on Tuesday (24 October), a senior lecturer at the University of Mines & Technology, Dr Frank Boateng blamed the Minerals Commission and EPA of reneging on their duty in both instances.
He says its strange for a minister to now summon a mining firm to answer for infringes questioning the role of the EPA and Minerals Commission.
“This is what the Minerals Commission does, it has a responsibility to ensure that all fleets, equipment’s and machinery are in shape, and so they periodically go to inspect them.
“And we also have the EPA, the EPA has the responsibility to ensure all environmental issues are kept very well, so the companies themselves must ensure they have an environmental officer who has the responsibility of making sure the environment is checked well the mining is not done to contaminate water bodies, ensure that there is appropriate and adequate changing rooms for staff and a place of convenience for staff.”
“All these are supposed to be a joint responsible between the EPA and Minerals Commission,” Boateng said.
Dismissal
Touching on the Akroma Gold Company incident, Dr Boateng said the EPA must be questioned for any irregularities in terms of the environment and not the mining firm, adding that those who reneged on their duty should have been dismissed.
“So the question is how often the EPA and Minerals Commision doing their inspection to ensure that these mining firms comply, they are not doing that, that is why it has to take the Minister who is now go on a visit to now become an inspector., its very absurd,” he said.
Boateng added “If I were the minister, I will not discipline the mining firms, I will go to the EPA to ensure heads roll because then it shows that some people are not doing their work.”
On the quarry explosion, Boateng blamed the two institutions again for failing to discharge their duties effectively.
“It doesn’t address the issue , it means somebody went to sleep, It’s the regional head who did not ensure the that district inspectors were up and doing, I dont know why they have been changed, in such instances, you interdict the person and carry out proper investigation to see where the problem was coming from, If you reposition the person, you are only sending the person there to do the same thing, so we have so many lapses, we need to continue monitoring .”
“For me its one thing, there must be constant monitoring, I think these people are resourced weel sometimes they become too relaxed. As part of the monitoring, they must ensure that all these companies have recruited the right person as an environmental officer that have the requisite qualification to ensure compliance.”
“Sometimes Too to get the right person is expensive, so they recruit young guys who do not have the experience and they parade themselves as environmental officers,” he added.
Listen to Dr Frank Boateng in the attached audio clip below:
Futile
Attempt to reach the minerals Commission and EPA to get their response on the issue has proven futile.
…This article was a collaboration with The Fund for Peace (FFP) as part of its RECLAIMS-ASGM project.
FFP as part of the initiative is working with two pilot areas in the South (Western North Region) and the North (Upper East region) to showcase best mining practices.
The project is supporting capacity building on mercury-free and sustainable best sector practices and undertaking community sensitization.
About FFP
For over 60 years, The Fund for Peace (FFP) has been a world leader in developing practical tools and approaches for reducing conflict.
It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Abuja, Nigeria, Accra, Ghana and Tunisia.
With a clear focus on the nexus of human security and economic development, FFP contributes to more peaceful and prosperous societies by engineering smarter methodologies and smarter partnerships.
FFP empowers policy-makers, practitioners, and populations with context-specific, data-driven applications to diagnose risks and vulnerabilities and to develop solutions through collective dialogue.
It has over the past few years been working with some small-scale mining firms in the Western North Region and the Upper East region to showcase best mining practices.
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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