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The Transformation of Marginal Areas (TAMA) Foundation Universal continues to champion responsible and sustainable natural resource management in the Nabdam District, Upper East Region. On Friday, January 24, 2025, TAMA successfully facilitated a stakeholder dialogue series aimed at enhancing community engagement, fostering peace, and ensuring that mining activities contribute positively to the region’s development.
This event built on the foundation of two key interventions implemented over the past three years: the Natural Resource Accountability in Northern Ghana (NaRAING) project, funded by the Ford Foundation, and the “Mining for Peace, Not Gold in the Upper East” project. These initiatives have played a crucial role in strengthening accountability structures and promoting transparent resource management in mining communities.
Mining activities in the Upper East Region have long raised concerns, including land disputes, environmental degradation, compensation and resettlement issues, corporate social responsibility obligations, and loss of livelihoods. If left unaddressed, these tensions have the potential to escalate into violent conflicts, making communities vulnerable to exploitation by Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs).
Through the “Mining for Peace, Not Gold in the Upper East” project, TAMA has actively promoted non-violent approaches to addressing grievances while raising awareness of the risks posed by VEOs. This dialogue series was therefore organized to further mitigate these risks and ensure that mining serves as a catalyst for peace and sustainable development rather than a source of conflict.
The stakeholder dialogue series provided a platform for meaningful engagement among community members, local authorities, and mining companies operating in the Nabdam District. The discussions focused on key issues related to mining activities, land use, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. Key highlights included:
- Improved Communication and Relationships
- Participants established ongoing communication channels to reduce tensions and misunderstandings between community members, local authorities, and mining companies.
- Understanding Stakeholder Concerns
- Mining companies and local authorities gained greater awareness of community concerns, particularly regarding environmental impacts, land rights, compensation, and social investments.
- Actionable Resolutions and Agreements
- Concrete action plans and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were formulated to address issues such as environmental safeguards, employment opportunities, and community development projects.
- Increased Transparency and Accountability
- Mining companies and local authorities committed to greater transparency in decision-making processes, compensation schemes, and resource allocation.
- Conflict Resolution Mechanism
- A framework was established to address disputes promptly and effectively, reducing the potential for social unrest.
The dialogue series successfully fostered a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by mining in Nabdam District. The commitments made by various stakeholders will be followed up with periodic reviews to ensure implementation. Additionally, TAMA Foundation Universal will continue to facilitate engagement sessions and monitor the progress of agreements reached during the discussions.
The success of this event underscores the importance of continuous dialogue in ensuring that mining benefits all stakeholders equitably. Moving forward, TAMA remains dedicated to fostering peace, growth, and prosperity in the Nabdam District through collaboration and transparency.
Event Details
- Date: Friday, January 24, 2025.
- Venue: Conference Hall, Nabdam District Assembly
TAMA Foundation Universal extends its gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions and reaffirmed its commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive mining environment in Northern Ghana.
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