Ghana ICWG Delegation Visit with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
The Ghana In-Country Working Group (ICWG) members met with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on April 29, 2025. They discussed the activities of the ICWG and the critical role that the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) plays in the extractives industry. The Minister agreed to be a champion for the VPSHR in Ghana.
Ghana ICWG Quarterly Coordination Meeting
The Ghana ICWG held its quarterly coordination meeting on April 29, 2025, in Accra. Members from each of the three pillars participated in a robust and timely discussion on the security challenges posed by artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) across mining sites in Ghana. The WANEP-Ghana representative presented on various conflict resolution mechanisms available for addressing security issues; and mining company representatives discussed security incidents that occurred at their respective concessions in early 2025. The Minerals Commission also briefed members about the introduction of the Blue Water Guards to support the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining in water bodies.
Water wardens training
In May 2025, the Ghana In-Country Working Group carried out a regional training program focused on the Voluntary Principles curriculum and introducing the water wardens to human rights risks in the mining sector. As one of the attendants expressed: “The problem of illegal mining on water bodies and in forest reserves is a complex one but we are committed to resolving it effectively.”
