ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP (E.A.G.)
61A REPUBLIC HALL
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
KUMASI-GHANA
WEST AFRICACONTACT: PRINCE KWESI NYARKO NKRUMAH.
INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (I.E.& C.) ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SURFACE MINING.CONTENTS:
1.0 CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROJECT
1.1 OBJECTIVES
1.2 TARGET GROUPS
1.3 STRATEGY AND PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1.4 PROJECT METHODOLOGY
1.5 INTERVENTION METHODOLOGY
2.0 EVALUATION OF PROJECT
APPENDIX A: DURATION OF PROJECT
APPENDIX B: FINANCIAL BUDGET FOR PROJECT
INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (I.E.& C.) ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SURFACE MINING.
by PRINCE KWESI NYARKO NKRUMAH.
1.0 CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT
Mineral wealth has been extracted from Africa for centuries, and so long as external forces continue to stimulate demand for gold and other minerals, mining in Africa will continue.
Yet, African governments have been told and have seemingly accepted that without relaxing their investment, environmental and other pertinent regulations, mining companies will turn away, seeking a less regulated environment. The 1990s have marked a major departure from the recent past in the Ghanaian mining sector. On the advice of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), mainly the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), state controls and ownership in the sector have been substantially dismantled. An "Investor-friendly" environment has been established in replacement, where former codes and regulations governing the sector have been relaxed.
The result is an influx of mining investment into the country. To date, as many as two hundred and fifty-one (251) licensed companies have been granted concessions totaling 58, 167 square kilometers. Only three (3) of these companies are engaged in underground operations, totaling six hundred and three (603) square kilometers of the concession area. Thus, virtually all of the concession area is occupied with surface mining, some 57 564 square kilometers, allowing for forest regions.
According to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) of the United Nations (UN), "the African mining sector is still not making decisive contribution to the social and economic development of Africans." The contribution of surface mining and indeed mining in general to economic development in Africa is suspect. For example, export earnings from mining have overtaken cocoa as main export earner. It rose from US$107.9m in 1992 to US$682.2m in 1995. However, the effect on the current account of balance of payments is insignificant. Imports of both capital and consumer goods enjoying tax and tariff concessions as a result of relaxed investment code equally increased, leading eventually to a deterioration of the current account deficit in 1995 adn 1996. There is also virtually no investment in the non-metallic ores such as phosphate and lime which require relatively small capital to process but which have the greatest horizontal linkages to and a higher multiplier effect on the domestic industry.
The greatest negative effects of surface mining are in the areas of social development and environmental management.
The contribution of surface mining to employment generation in Ghana is negative. This is because in
almost all the cases, fertile soils for which cash crops such as cocoa and palm trees are being grown by
farmers are in most cases forcefully acquired taking advantage of ambiguous provisions in some of the
sections fo the laws and regulations governing the mining sector. These callous methods are adopted with the connivance of certain government officials and other dubious characters who take advantage of the lack of knowledge and education of most of the rural folk and cajole them to sign contracts that are in bad taste to say the least.
There has been several reported cases of tensions between these mining companies and the indigenous community members. The reasons are numerous: the eviction of communities and small miners from concessions and their relocation to marginal sites, with inadequate compensation and in some cases without resort to the due process of law; the land use and ownership conflicts, socio-economic disruptions and minimalist approach by mining companies to the provision of social services to the resettled communities or neighbours.
For example, in 1990, an American-Ghanaian gold mining company, Teberebie Goldfields Limited (TGL) obtained a mining concession to undertake surface mining activities in a community. The entire community was uprooted and transplanted elsewhere with very limited land to live on, let alone farm. It was the first resettlement exercise carried out in the area (since then many others have been carried out). The agreement was signed by the chief of the Town on behalf of his people. An examination of the documents indicate that the Chief could neither read nor write: he thumb-printed his signature. The document certainly ignored vital issues concerning their development. It failed to make provisions fore the expansion of the community or erection of new buildings for the rapidly increasing population. The community still lacks other items laid down in the agreement, such as electricity, a market, access roads and a community centre. With the only functional bore-hole in the region being one of two constructed b y the company, the people of the surrounding community have resorted to fetching water from streams, even though these are said to be heavily polluted with deadly chemicals used in the mining process, such as arsenic and cyanide.
Thus, it is clear that these communities lack the capacity to negotiate more so as they may not be well organised around a civic movement and therefore often unable to collectively negotiate. Therefore, provision for social impacts is generally inadequate. More often than not, communities are not involved during the baseline studies, nor do they have the capacity to conduct such studies independently.
One need not be a soil scientist to see the havoc caused to the soil. Some of the hill sides and valleys show sign of erosion and run-off. These environmental conditions have serious health implications for the communities in the vicinity of the mining operations.
1.1 OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this project is to create awareness about the environmental and socio-economic effects of surface mining in Ghana, by improving access to information, education and communication strategies.
1.2 TARGET GROUPS
The project will target three groups who have been identified as key players in ensuring the successful achievement of the objective. They are:
1. University students;
2. Second-cycle institutions and teacher training colleges;
3. Communities directly affected by surface mining.
The first two (2) target groups have virtually no knowledge about the extent to which surface mining is causing destruction to the natural environment and creating further socio-economic problems for the country. The little that they know is usually through the face saving "public relations" by involved mining companies. The third group have been cheated of their rights for a long time because a lack of education regarding the meagre legislation that protects them. E.A.G. envisages reaching out to at least one (1) tertiary institution, ten (10) second cycle institutions and training colleges, and five (5) communities directly affected by surface mining.
1.3 STRATEGY AND PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Specific activities to be conducted by E.A.G. members to provide interventions for positive change among the identified target groups are:
- A series of participatory Trainer of Trainers (TOT) workshops and seminars for university students to discuss and evaluate their perceptions of surface mining, and for the dissemination of information on the consequences of this particular type of mining;
- Field trips to the communities affected by mining, in order to:
- Intensive dialogue with Chiefs and opinion leaders of the communities affected, in order to explain the project;
- Participatory workshops and seminars for the communities to discuss and evaluate their perceptions of surface mining, and for the dissemination of information on the consequences of mining;
- Application of communication tools to highlight the problems generated by surface mining;
- Promotion of educational campaigns, using case studies and life experiences of members of affected communities as source material;
- Evaluation of the impact of the project.
1.4 PROJECT METHODOLOGY
E.A.G. will work directly through Chiefs and opinion leaders of the relevant communities to mobilise the community awareness of the issues. A start-up workshop will be organised for the Chiefs and opinion leaders to brief them on the purpose of the project and discuss how best they can use their influence to help push the program forward for rapid results.
Workshops and seminars, tailored to create awareness of the issues and to find practical solutions to the problems generated by surface mining, will be organised for the targeted groups.
E.A.G. will employ the use of participatory, learner-centred methods, such as small group discussions, case studies, and lectures, to deliver messages and disseminate information. The trainers to be employed will be E.A.G. members who have undergone an orientation course to enable their effective performance.
1.5 INTERVENTION METHODOLOGY
E.A.G. will plan and conduct specific activities that will provide impetus for positive change in targeted groups’ awareness of dangerous and possibly fatal outcomes of surface mining. The following broad activities will be conducted in a participatory, learner-centred environment:
- Start-up Workshop
A start-up workshop will be organised for the Chiefs and opinion leaders of the selected communities affected by surface mining. Discussions will include how the Chiefs’ influence may be used to accelerate the program’s objectives. The workshop will also seek to establish agreements on subsequent activities planned for the project.
- "Trainer of Trainers" Workshop for E.A.G. Members
A two (2) day workshop will be organised for E.A.G. Members, specifically aimed at equipping them with the needed knowledge to effectively educate and disseminate information to second-cycle institutions and members of the communities directly affected by surface mining.
- Information and Communication Workshop on Surface Mining
A series of seminars and workshops, tailored to create awareness, impart knowledge and build consensus on practical solutions and alternatives to surface mining and attendant problems, will be organised for selected second-cycle institutions and affected communities.
1.6 EXPECTED IMPACT OF THE PROJECT PROPOSAL
As has been stated already, there is little knowledge, information and concern about the true effects of Surface Mining among the larger Ghanaian populace and even less so amongst those who suffer directly from them. Environmentalists who call for a ban to surface mining are accused of being "anti-development". The reason is not far-fetched given the context in Ghana. The government in collaboration with mining companies and some sections of the press and of course the multilateral development Banks, have drummed into our ears the "miraculous" development we're going derive from investments into Surface mining. This has contributed negatively to the efforts being made to stop it.
EAG thus expects this Project to have the following impact.
A. INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION BASE OF THE LARGER POPULATION OF GHANAIANS
Thus the selected Institutions have been strategically chosen as they will also in turn transmit the info. and knowledge they have acquired. This is expected to have a multiplier effect.
B. INCREASE THE SUPPORT BASE OF AFFECTED COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE EFFORTS TO RESIST THE MINING INDUSTRY
This is a very crucial aspect as in the past attempts to resist have been met with stiff opposition from
government. Utilize existing interational networks such as the Gold Summit, GoldBusters campaign and other organized groups to submit letters/action alerts to the media and to the mining companies asking for these exploitative activities to be stopped. If the government should realise that it now transcends beyond the boundaries of the village, it will be forced to change its actions.
C. DOCUMENT AND BRING TO THE FORE SOME OF THE SOCIAL HUMAN AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS ABUSES.
D. COLLATE VIEWS ON ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY
The above is very important since it will give us the proper grounds to ask for an end to Surface Mining. It will at the same time give the communities their means of livelihood. And any such activity must definitely come out from the people themselves.
2.0 EVALUATION OF PROJECT
Letter of Resolution
E.A.G. will plan and conduct the presentation of a letter of resolution calling for a moratorium on the opening of new surface mining projects as a first step in the campaign to end surface mining operations. This will occur at the conclusion of the project’s program.
The difference in the number of people who will participate in the above process will give an indication of the success of the project.
APPENDIX A : DURATION OF PROJECT
The project is expected to be completed within two (2) semesters, and is divided into three (3) parts, as follows:
PART ONE
Part One consists of:
1. Start-up workshop for chiefs and opinion leaders;
2. Workshop for E.A.G. members.Fifty (50) members are envisaged to take part in this program., specifically aimed at equipping them with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver the message.
PART TWO
Part Two consists of organising lectures, workshops and other appropriate fora for the ten (10) Selected Institutions and five (5) communities.
PART THREE
Part Three consists of the follow-up to workshops and the Evaluation.
Part One and at least a quarter (25%) of Part Two will be organised in first semester. The remainder of Part Two and all of Part Three will be completed in second semester.
APPENDIX B: FINANCIAL BUDGET in U.S. dollars (US$)
FOR PROPOSAL OF I.E. & C. PROGRAM ON ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SURFACE MINING.
1. START-UP WORKSHOP FOR CHIEFS AND OPINION LEADERS
The chiefs of the five (5) selected communities will be invited to a start-up workshop. Each chief may be accompanied by at least four (4) additional persons.
1.1 TRANSPORTATION FOR CHIEFS AND ENTOURAGE
Five (5) community chiefs and entourage at thirty dollars ($30.00) each = $150.00
1.2 VIDEO COVERAGE = $ 50.00
1.3 REFRESHMENTS = $ 50.00
SUB-TOTAL = $250.00
2. TWO (2) DAY WORKSHOP FOR FIFTY (50) E.A.G. MEMBERS
The basic documents to be presented are the three (3) papers presented by Resource Persons during the seminar "The Environmental and Socio-economic Effects of Surface Mining", held on the Twenty-ninth (29th) of May, 1999. Thus, each member will each be given a copy of the three (3) papers mentioned. Additionally, they will be provided with a pen and notebook.
2.1 STATIONARY = $ 35.00
2.2 PHOTOCOPYING (Resource papers) = $ 75.00
2.3 REFRESHMENTS = $ 80.00
2.4 VIDEO COVERAGE (for two <2> days, optional) = $100.00
SUB-TOTAL = $290.00
3. WORKSHOPS FOR TEN (10) INSTITUTIONS AND FIVE (5) COMMUNITIES
3.1 TEN (10) INSTITUTIONS
Trained E.A.G. members will be divided into ten (10) groups. Each group will consist of five (5) members. Each group will then facilitate a workshop at one of the ten selected institutions.
3.1.1 TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SELECTED INSTITUTIONS = $100.00
3.1.2 VIDEO COVERAGE FOR FOUR (4) WORKSHOPS = $200.00
SUB-TOTAL = $300.00
3.2 FIVE (5) COMMUNITIES
All E.A.G. members will attend the entire community workshops program. The community workshops will then also serve as field trip experience for the members. As appropriate, efforts will be made to include selected institutional representatives in the community workshops program.
3.2.1 TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SELECTED COMMUNITIES = $350.00
3.2.2 REFRESHMENTS = $100.00
SUB-TOTAL = $450.00
4. OTHER EXPENSES
4.1 CORRESPONDENCE, SECRETARIAL EXPENSES = $100.00
4.2 PREPARATORY ORGANISATIONAL EXPENSES = $100.00
4.3 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES = $ 50.00
SUB-TOTAL = $250.00
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
1. START-UP WORKSHOP FOR CHIEFS AND OPINION LEADERS. . . . . . . . . . . . US$250.00
2. TWO (2) DAY WORKSHOP FOR FIFTY (50) E.A.G. MEMBERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290.00
3. WORKSHOPS FOR TEN (10) INSTITUTIONS AND FIVE (5) COMMUNITIES
3.1 TEN (10) INSTITUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300.00
3.2 FIVE (5) COMMUNITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450.00
4. OTHER EXPENSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00
TOTAL US$1540.00
ANALYSIS OF EXPENSES
Transportation is the single biggest expense, at six hundred U.S. dollars (US$600.00). It should be noted here that availability of transport services is subject to instability in the country. Fares can increase six (6) times in one (1) year.
Cost estimates are conservative. Not shown directly in the budget proposal is income collected as a registration charge from participating members as an indication of commitment to the program.
N.B. Budget costing for Part Three of the proposed program have not been included in the above estimates. These estimates do, however, comprise the total costings for Part One and Part Two of the proposed program.
(signed)
PRINCE KWESI NYARKO NKRUMAH.