Miners
As international pressure mounts over the social and environmental toll of mineral extraction, Ghana is being urged to strengthen its mining governance in the wake of alarming global trends detailed in the latest Transition Minerals Tracker report.
The report, released by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, paints a stark picture of mining-related abuses across Africa and South America in 2024, with 45 cases recorded in Africa, second only to South America. Ghana, though not among the worst-affected, was cited for environmental and local community concerns at the Nsuta manganese mine, operated by Consolidated Minerals.
While Ghana’s footprint in the report is limited, experts warn that this is not a sign of immunity — but a window of opportunity.“Ghana is not yet in the red zone, but complacency would be dangerous,” says Dr. Akosua Nyame, a mineral governance consultant. “We’re seeing growing international scrutiny of how resource-rich nations handle the transition mineral boom. Ghana must act now.”
Chile’s Model Offers a Path Forward
The report singles out Chile for its regulatory reforms, even as allegations of abuse rise. Notably, Chile introduced the Mining Royalty Bill, a National Lithium Strategy, and a Mining Policy 2050, combining benefit-sharing with sustainability goals. The country is also moving toward greater transparency through EITI membership and is encouraging joint ventures with Indigenous communities.
This proactive policy environment contrasts sharply with the conditions in the DRC and Zimbabwe, where weak governance frameworks have allowed mining abuses — including forced displacement, environmental degradation, and worker exploitation — to flourish.
Why Ghana Must Act Now
Ghana, a key producer of gold, manganese, and newly discovered lithium, has an opportunity to lead in ethical mineral extraction. However, the absence of an updated mining development strategy, weak enforcement of community benefit-sharing agreements, and gaps in environmental protection expose the country to growing risks.
The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and Ghana’s adherence to EITI standards provide some institutional scaffolding, but these mechanisms need greater legal backing, public accountability, and integration into a coherent national strategy, stakeholders argue.“Chile shows us what’s possible when a country anticipates the future. Ghana must move beyond reactive policy and build a long-term framework that ensures mining works for people and planet alike,” said Abigail Owusu, an energy transition researcher.
As demand for transition minerals intensifies under global decarbonization goals, Ghana faces a defining moment. The choice is clear: embrace progressive, rights-centered reforms — or risk repeating the mistakes playing out across Latin America and Central Africa.
Below is a link to the report:
https://media.business-humanrights.org/media/documents/2025_Transition_Minerals_Tracker_EN.pdf
