02/07/2026
Report on the One-Day Peer Exchange Programme between the Obuasi Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and the Awoyaa Lithium Mining Community
As the Team Lead for the Obuasi Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), I participated in a one-day peer exchange programme held at Hillcrest Apartments, Takoradi. The programme brought together stakeholders from established and emerging mining communities to facilitate knowledge sharing, strengthen local governance, and promote transparency and accountability in Ghana's extractive sector.
During my presentation, I shared the Obuasi mining story, highlighting both its successes and challenges. I emphasized the adverse social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with the old gold mining regime, including environmental degradation, unemployment, land-use conflicts, and the limited participation of local communities in decisions affecting mineral resource governance. The presentation underscored the importance of learning from Obuasi's experience to help emerging mining communities avoid similar pitfalls.
I also recounted the "Ghost Town" period in Obuasi between 2014 and 2018, following the suspension of large-scale mining operations. During this period, economic activity declined significantly, businesses collapsed, unemployment increased, and many residents migrated in search of alternative livelihoods. The discussion contrasted these difficult years with the progress made following the resumption of mining operations, including renewed business activity, infrastructure development, employment opportunities, and increased community investment.
Another key aspect of my presentation focused on the implementation of the 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) in Obuasi. I discussed the achievements recorded under the plan, including investments in education, health, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and community development initiatives. I also highlighted areas requiring further attention, particularly the need to deepen community participation, improve sustainability of projects, strengthen local economic diversification, and enhance monitoring and evaluation to ensure lasting development outcomes.
I further shared the experiences of the Obuasi MSG in promoting transparency and accountability in the management of mineral revenues. I outlined the group's efforts in engaging duty bearers, advocating for prudent utilization of mineral royalties, promoting citizen participation, and demanding greater accountability from local authorities regarding the use of extractive revenues for community development. I acknowledged that while progress has been made, challenges remain, including limited access to information, inadequate citizen awareness, and the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
As Chair of the Obuasi discussion table during the multi-stakeholder breakout sessions, I engaged participants from the Awoyaa lithium mining community on what they should expect as mining activities commence. Drawing on Obuasi's long history of mining, I advised participants to manage community expectations realistically, emphasizing that mining does not automatically translate into widespread prosperity. I encouraged the community to prioritize skills acquisition, technical training, entrepreneurship, and education to improve their competitiveness for employment and business opportunities that may arise from the lithium industry. I also stressed the importance of community unity, active participation in decision-making processes, environmental stewardship, and continuous engagement with mining companies and government institutions to safeguard community interests.
Overall, the peer exchange programme provided a valuable platform for sharing practical lessons from Obuasi's mining journey. It reinforced the importance of transparency, accountability, inclusive stakeholder engagement, sustainable community development, and proactive planning in ensuring that mineral resources contribute meaningfully to local development. The interactions also strengthened collaboration between established and emerging mining communities, enabling participants from Awoyaa to gain practical insights that can inform their preparations for responsible and sustainable lithium mining.
The co-chair, Dr Steve Manteaw commended the Obuasi MSG and charged us to push for greater collaboration and accountability of mineral revenue and interrogate further for better use of resources. The event was under auspices of the EITI international from Norway and center for Extractive Development, Africa- CEDA.
The Obuasi Team comprised of Nana Owusu Achiaw, Bogobiri Dikro, Mr Malik Ibrahim, Mrs Dorothy Ofori, Mr Emmanuel Massey and Robert Anokye Gyamfi.
