Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG), with support from the STAR Ghana Foundation under the AVID II Project, has organized a capacity-building workshop for Community Change Champions to deepen their understanding of Ghana’s mining laws and regulatory framework. The training was designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and enhance their confidence to effectively exercise their oversight roles in mineral governance, while empowering them to support mining-affected communities in advocating for accountability, protecting their rights, and seeking justice.
The workshop was held at the Africa Faith Church premises in Obrayeko in the Western North Region and brought together 40 Community Change Champions from the mining communities of Obrayeko, Chirano, Etwebo, Akoti, Surano and Bibiani.
The participants form part of a network of 220 Community Change Champions drawn from 22 mining host communities who were selected during LEG’s community education forums on Ghana’s mining laws.
Although the Change Champions had previously received copies of Ghana’s mining laws and relevant regulations during the community education sessions, the workshop was designed to deepen their understanding of the legal and regulatory framework governing the mining sector.
It also sought to enhance their capacity to confidently apply this knowledge in promoting accountability, strengthening community oversight of mineral governance, and supporting mining-affected communities in protecting their rights and interests.
Facilitation team
The training was facilitated by LEG’s Executive Director, Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku, with support from LEG staff, Seth Anim Koranteng and Peace Nyande, who took participants through the background of Ghana’s mining laws and explained the rationale behind the various Acts and Regulations.
Mr. Adjei-Poku guided the change champions on how to navigate the Acts and Regulations, locate various sections in the Acts, interpret provisions, make references, and understand amendments made over time. This helped participants to engage with the laws while discussing situations from their communities.
The workshop also examined the respective rights and responsibilities of government institutions, mining companies and mining host communities under Ghana’s mining legal framework. Participants engaged in discussions on key issues, including compensation, resettlement, mineral rights, surface rights, community engagement, and the statutory obligations of mining companies.
Legal materials
Facilitating the session, Mr. Adjei-Poku encouraged the Community Change Champions to make effective use of the legal materials provided to them by reading and familiarizing themselves with Ghana’s mining laws.
He emphasized that a sound understanding of the legal framework would empower them to engage constructively with duty bearers, promote accountability in mineral governance, and effectively advocate for the rights and interests of their communities.
Mr. Adjei-Poku reminded participants that a sound understanding of the law is one of the most effective tools communities can use to safeguard their rights and hold duty bearers accountable. He urged the Community Change Champions to remain committed to sharing the knowledge acquired with other community members and to foster constructive dialogue among communities, mining companies and relevant government institutions.
Sharing his experience during the workshop, Mr. Julius John Ackah, a Community Change Champion from Bibiani, highlighted the practical impact of LEG’s community education programme.
He stated: “The education LEG provided during the community forums in March 2025 was truly transformative. Before then, many of us had little understanding of our rights, and the mining company often took advantage of that. After learning that landowners have the legal right to establish their own negotiation committee, I worked with community leaders to form one, and I now serve as its secretary. Since then, the mining company has recognised that we understand the mining laws and can no longer be easily misled. We now scrutinise agreements carefully, negotiate more favourable terms and ensure that the interests of landowners are adequately protected.”
Appreciation
Speaking on behalf of the change champions, Nana Anthony Arthur (Akyempimhene Abusuapanin, Chirano Traditional Council) expressed appreciation to LEG and the STAR Ghana Foundation for organizing the workshop. He described the training as useful, stating that it had strengthened their understanding of the mining laws and improved their confidence to support their communities.
Livelihood & Environment Ghana (LEG) is a research and advocacy non-governmental organisation that promote community rights, environmental justice, sustainable livelihood of deprived communities and empower communities for active citizenship and engage policy-makers on mineral governance and improved policy in the extractive sector.
