Adnan Adams Mohammed
Civil Society Organizations, working in the extractive and environmental sectors, have reaffirmed commitment to partnering with the President John Mahama’s government to achieve shared goals of development, sustainability, and good governance.
They believe that by working together, Ghana can harness its vast resources for the benefit of all while ensuring the protection of the environment and the wellbeing of future generations.
The CSOs indicated their recognition of the ambitious agenda set forth by the new administration and commend the emphasis on economic recovery, environmental stewardship, good governance, and energy transition. However, there are critical areas requiring immediate attention to secure the future of Ghana and its people.
“As citizens who have bought into your vision for this country, we wish to call upon you to honour your promises and commitments as outlined in the 120 Days Social Contract with the people of Ghana”, the CSOs said in a statement read by Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah at a press conference last week. Thus; “Combating Illegal Mining and Strengthening Environmental Governance and Combating Corruption and Promoting Good Governance.”
They urged the government to: Issue a bold directive to halt all illegal mining activities immediately to deter those who defy the law; Repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2462) and enhance enforcement of existing mining laws; Empower District and Regional Security Councils (DISEC and REGSEC) to enforce bans effectively at the local level; and Expedite prosecution of illegal miners by getting the Attorney General to work with the Chief Justice to establish a special court to fast track illegal mining cases.
“We believe that fulfilling these commitments will not only ensure the sustainability of Ghana’s resources but also secure a prosperous and equitable future for all”, the CSOs noted.
The CSOs, thereby, called upon the President to count on their support in driving policy reforms, fostering transparency, and promoting responsible resource management.
“Ghana stands at a pivotal moment, and we are optimistic that your leadership will deliver on the promise of a better future for all. Together, we can build a Ghana that sets the standard for governance and sustainable development across the continent.”
Read full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE, ENERGY TRANSITION, AND ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES
Title: Advancing Ghana’s Development: Strengthening Governance, Protecting the Environment, and Driving Economic Transformation
Distinguished Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning, and thank you for joining us today.
First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama, on your decisive victory in the 7th December 2024 general elections.
Your resounding victory is a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Ghana have placed in your vision and leadership.
We also warmly welcome the new administration and express our hope for a term marked by progress, unity, and prosperity.
Ghana stands at a pivotal moment, and we are optimistic that your leadership will deliver on the promise of a better future for all.
As civil society organizations, working in the extractive and environmental sectors, we reaffirm our commitment to partnering with your government to achieve our shared goals of development, sustainability, and good governance.
We believe that by working together, we can harness Ghana’s vast resources for the benefit of all while ensuring the protection of our environment and the wellbeing of future generations.
Mr President, you can count on our support in driving policy reforms, fostering transparency, and promoting responsible resource management.
Together, we can build a Ghana that sets the standard for governance and sustainable development across the continent.
As citizens who have bought into your vision for this country, we wish to call upon you to honour your promises and commitments as outlined in the 120 Days Social Contract with the people of Ghana.
We recognise the ambitious agenda set forth by the new administration and commend the emphasis on economic recovery, environmental stewardship, good governance, and energy transition.
However, there are critical areas requiring immediate attention to secure the future of Ghana and its people.
Combating Illegal Mining and Strengthening Environmental Governance
Your Excellency, we applaud your pledge to ban mining in forest reserves and roll out initiatives like the ‘Tree for Life’ and ‘Blue Water Initiative’ to rehabilitate degraded areas.
However, illegal mining continues unabated, resulting in environmental degradation, the destruction of cocoa farms, and the pollution of vital water bodies.
We urge you to:
Issue a bold directive to halt all illegal mining activities immediately to deter those who defy the law.
Repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2462) and enhance enforcement of existing mining laws.
Empower District and Regional Security Councils (DISEC and REGSEC) to enforce bans effectively at the local level.
Expedite prosecution of illegal miners by getting the Attorney General to work with the Chief Justice to establish a special court to fast track illegal mining cases.
These actions are vital to protect our forests, rivers, and farmlands, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Energy Transition: A Multi-Sectoral Approach
We commend the addition of “Green Transitions” to the mandate of the Ministry of Energy. However, energy transition must extend beyond one ministry to achieve national impact.
We therefore propose:
Establishing a high-level coordinating body akin to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Implementation Working Group or South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission to drive efforts across sectors.
Developing an integrated energy transition strategy by reviewing and aligning the existing Energy Transition Framework and Investment Plan with manifesto commitments.
Accelerating investments in renewable energy by creating a favourable regulatory and investment environment to enhance the renewable component of the country’s energy mix .
Linking energy transition to green minerals through mapping resources, promoting research, and ensuring value addition within the country.
Ghana must leverage its natural resources and global energy transition goals to become a leader in sustainable energy.
Forests, Environment, and Climate Change
We acknowledge your government’s commitment to addressing climate change through reforestation policies and modern agricultural infrastructure.
However, we urge swift action to:
Implement the ‘Tree for Life’ and ‘Blue Water Initiative’ as stated in the government’s inaugural commitments.
Ban new mining activities in forest reserves and adopt innovative farming methods to preserve natural ecosystems.
These measures are essential not only for climate mitigation but also for economic resilience.
Upstream and Downstream Petroleum Sector
The petroleum sector is critical to Ghana’s economy. We urge the government to:
Revise and harmonize regulations governing the petroleum sector to ensure consistency and support integration.
Invest in critical infrastructure and explore partial privatisation options to address financial challenges.
Prioritize domestic crude oil supply for local refineries as mandated by the Petroleum Agreement.
Align the sector with global energy transition goals to ensure long-term sustainability.
Combating Corruption and Promoting Good Governance
Your Excellency, we commend the promise to establish a robust Code of Conduct for government officials and to institute inquiries into corruption scandals.
However, these efforts must be fortified with tangible actions. We recommend:
Urgent passage of the Conduct of Public Officers (CoPO) Bill, which has been pending since 2013.
Strengthening procurement reforms to prevent insider dealings and ensure transparency.
Engaging stakeholders to review political party financing laws to reduce undue influence on governance.
Empowering state institutions to lead forensic audits and investigations into scandals of public interest.
These steps will restore public trust, foster accountability, and uphold the principles of good governance.
A Collective Responsibility
We believe that fulfilling these commitments will not only ensure the sustainability of Ghana’s resources but also secure a prosperous and equitable future for all.
We urge the government to act decisively, and we call on citizens, civil society organisations, and the private sector to lend their support in this shared mission.
Thank you for your attention.
We look forward to the government’s swift and decisive action in addressing these pressing issues.
Together, let us build a Ghana that we can proudly pass on to future generations.
Thank you.
