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The planetGOLD Ghana Project has inaugurated a Grievance Redress and Child Protection Committee (GRaCPC) to enhance transparency, accountability and child protection in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities.
The committee will provide clear, community-level channels for receiving and resolving complaints from affected persons, local communities and stakeholders regarding project activities. It also supports wider efforts to eliminate child labour, reduce mercury use and promote responsible mining practices in Ghana.
Project Safeguards Officer, Isaac Owusu, said the new body would act as a vital community mechanism for addressing grievances and protecting vulnerable groups. He stressed that responsible mining goes beyond production to include the wellbeing of people, communities and the environment, adding that the GRaCPC would help build trust between stakeholders through fair and transparent complaint handling.
Owusu explained that the project operates a single grievance redress mechanism with four levels—community, district, regional and national—and thanked partners for their support in promoting inclusive and responsible mining models.
Technical Officer Justine Seyire Dzadzra outlined the project’s objectives, noting that although ASGM contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy, it is responsible for about 80 per cent of the country’s mercury use. She said the project is helping to formalise the sector, expand access to finance and promote mercury-free technologies that safeguard miners and their communities. She encouraged miners to prioritise health, sustainability and alternative livelihoods.
Members of the newly inaugurated committee include representatives from affected communities, the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Resources Commission, Social Welfare Department and civil society groups such as A Rocha Ghana. Their mandate includes providing transparent grievance channels, conducting impartial investigations, monitoring child labour risks and advancing safe mining practices.
As part of its community outreach, the planetGOLD team introduced the committee to residents of Ekorso in the Atiwa Mining District during a meeting hosted by the Queen Mother, who praised the initiative and urged members to resolve disputes with patience and respect. She emphasised the importance of traditional authorities in addressing complex community issues.
The inauguration, held in Bonsu in the Eastern Region, was attended by government agencies, NGOs, traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the ASGM value chain.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by UNDP and UNIDO with implementation by the Environmental Protection Agency, the planetGOLD Ghana Project aims to expand mercury-free mining technologies, improve financing options and strengthen responsible gold supply chains in the ASGM sector.
Source: GNA
