Conference Program

Conference on Natural Resource Governance and Inequalities in West Africa

Conference Program

Day 1: Wednesday August 17th
MORNING SESSION

Session Chair: Hon. Engnr. Janet Adeyemi, President Women in Mining Nigeria

14.00 – 15.30 pm Political economy of extractivism and inequalities

“The politics and political economy of natural resource governance: Why do some countries succeed in using natural resources to reduce poverty and inequalities and others don’t?” (Prof. Abdul- Gafaru Abdulai)
• Discussant – Prof. Raymond Atuguba, University of Ghana School of Law
• Plenary Discussion

15.30 – 16.00 – Health Break/Refreshments

16.00 – 17.00 – Wrap up, recap & close for the day

Day 2: Thursday August 18th
MORNING SESSION

Session Chair: Prof. Samuel J. Cobbina, University for Development Studies
14.00 – 16.00 Environment, energy, and resource governance

“Extractives, environmental damage, and inequalities in the ECOWAS region: what are the linkages?” (Ms. ‘Lumun Amanda Feese & Dr. Chilenye Nwapi)

Discussant- Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Nigeria)

“How can equitable energy access and transitioning to green energy be achieved in West Africa” (Dr. Pedi Obani)

Discussants: Africa Centre for Energy Policy & Dr. Steve Manteaw

• Plenary Discussion

16.00 16.30 – Health break/Refreshments

Session Chair: Mr. Abu Brima, NMJD (Sierra Leone)

16.30 -18.00 Country Case Studies (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria & Sierra Leone)

“What can we learn from individual countries on the management of natural resources to reduce inequalities in West Africa?” (Mr. Mamadou Karama, Dr. Winfred Nelson, Dr. Dauda Garuba & Mr. Sonkita Conteh)
• Plenary discussion

Day 3: Friday August 19th
MORNING SESSION

Session Chair: Dr. Dauda Garuba

8.30 – 9.00 am Recap of Day 2

9.00 – 10.30 am Charting next steps

“A survey of the role of the media in shaping resource governance policies and practices favorable to the reduction of inequalities”. (Prof. Kwame Karikari)

• Discussant: Ms. Ruth Tene, Investigative Journalist (Nigeria)

Session Chair: Ms. Pauline Vande-Pallen, Third World Network & Core Team Member

“How do social and economic inequalities manifest themselves in mining communities and how have community organizations confronted these in West Africa and beyond” (PWYP & Dr. Chrys Anab, TAMA Foundation)

• Mr. Nene Dadebom Anim, Vice Chair Ada Songor Lagoon Association
• Discussant/Moderated Plenary

10.30 -12.00 – Health Break & breakout groups on strategy
• Policy gaps
• Political influencing
• Community-level justice
• Gender Justice

12.00 – 13.00 Plenary report back

Session Chair: Conference Co-Chairs

13.00-13.30 Closing panel
• Closing statements

AFTERNOON SESSION

Session Chair: Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Chair ISODEC Governing Council & Conference Co-Chair

Session Chair: Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Chair ISODEC Governing Council & Conference Co-Chair

9.00 – 9.45 am Objectives and logistics

Overview of Logistics
• Delegates self-introduction
• Acknowledgements (Delegates and sponsors)
• Overview of Conference Objectives and Agenda

Session Chairs: Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, Director General NDPC & Conference Co-Chair & Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye Chair, ISODEC Governing Council & Conference Co-Chair)

9.45- 10.45 am Official Opening Ceremony
• Opening Statements- United Nations, Ford Foundation, Publish What You Pay (PWYP), African Minerals Development Centre
• Keynote Address: **Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (TBC)

10:45- 11.00 am Health break/Refreshments

Session Chair: Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Chair ISODEC Governing Council

11.00-13.00 pm Setting the Scene: The Inequalities and Natural Resource Challenge in West Africa

• Highlights of the Conference Paper & Synthesis of the State of Inequalities and Natural Resource Governance in West Africa (Mr. Charles Abugre)

• Plenary Discussion

13.00 – 14.00 pm Lunch Break

AFTERNOON SESSION

Session Chair: Mr. Charles Abugre, Executive Director, International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs)

8.30-9.00 am– Review business of the day

9.00 – 10.45 am Economic Governance, Natural Resources, and Inequalities

“Are Resource dependent economies destined to be unequal?” (Dr. Raymond Frempong)

• Discussants- Prof. Bokpin, University of Ghana Business School & Conference Core team, & Mr. Emmanuel Kuyole, Program Officer Ford Foundation
• Plenary Discussion

10.45-11.00 am Health Break/Refreshments

11.00 -13.00 pm Feminist perspective on extractivism in West Africa

Session Chair: Beauty Narteh, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition

“Gender justice and extractivism in West Africa. What are feminist groups saying and doing about it?” (Dr. Hibist Kassa & Ms. Iheoma Obibi)
• Discussants – PWYP; Dr. Chichi Aniagolu, Regional Director Ford Foundation
• Plenary Discussion
13.00 – 14.00 pm Lunch Break

AFTERNOON SESSION

Session Chair: Dr. Dauda Garuba

8.30 – 9.00 am Recap of Day 2

9.00 – 10.30 am Charting next steps

“A survey of the role of the media in shaping resource governance policies and practices favorable to the reduction of inequalities”. (Prof. Kwame Karikari)

• Discussant: Ms. Ruth Tene, Investigative Journalist (Nigeria)

Session Chair: Ms. Pauline Vande-Pallen, Third World Network & Core Team Member

“How do social and economic inequalities manifest themselves in mining communities and how have community organizations confronted these in West Africa and beyond” (PWYP & Dr. Chrys Anab, TAMA Foundation)

• Mr. Nene Dadebom Anim, Vice Chair Ada Songor Lagoon Association
• Discussant/Moderated Plenary

10.30 -12.00 – Health Break & breakout groups on strategy
• Policy gaps
• Political influencing
• Community-level justice
• Gender Justice

12.00 – 13.00 Plenary report back

Session Chair: Conference Co-Chairs

13.00-13.30 Closing panel
• Closing statements