WACAM is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Western Ghana that was formed in 1998. Our primary aim is to aid communities that are adversely affected by gold mining in mobilizing around their concerns.
Background
In 1983, Ghana's PNDC government adopted its first IMF/World Bank sponsored Economic Recovery Program (ERP). The policies in the ERP lead to a fast and harsh liberalization of the mining sector, which was previously state-led. Over the next few years, seven foreign gold-mining companies began operating in the Wassa West District.
The operations of these companies, specifically, the way in which they related to the communities immediately adjacent to their concessions, brought much conflict to the area. The majority of this conflict was centered around issues of land access. When the mineral firms began to develop surface mining operations, they needed access to large tracts of land, much of which was already being used to live or farm on by nearby communities. What resulted was numerous cases of forced eviction, inadequate land compensation, land degradation, the destruction of culturally sacred sites, community displacement, and the pollution of integral water bodies. In response to these problems, WACAM was formed in 1998.
Our Objectives
WACAM seeks to:- To ensure that the rights of mining communities are respected.
- To aid communities whose lands have been usurped by mining companies in obtaining adequate compensation packages.
- To liaise with the Ghanaian Government and other stakeholder organizations on issues concerning the affect of mining in the country.
- To raise public awareness about the issues in mining communities.
- To collaborate with other groups and organizations with similar mandates.
Forms of Work
In achieving our mandate, WACAM uses a diversity of approaches. For instance, we:
- Represent mining communities in their negotiations with mineral companies.
- Conduct research, documenting of the various human rights abuses in mining communities.
- Host workshops in the mining communities to teach individuals about their legal rights and the Ghanaian mineral laws.
- Provide information to Ghanaian media sources in order to raise public awareness about the issues.
