Enhance community benefits in the extractive industry (i.e. quarry operations) (GHSMD0001)

Commitment ID

GHSMD0001

Commitment Title

Enhance community benefits in the extractive industry (i.e. quarry operations)

Problem

In spite of the enactment and the operationalisation of the Mineral Development Fund Act, 2016, (Act 912) section 16, the Minerals Commission Act, 1993 (Act 450) section 2 subsection 2c, the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) section 40 and other policies governing quarry operations, the Quarry Zone within the Shama District has been faced with a number of challenges. Notable among them are:

• Non-payment of compensation to the communities (e.g. farm owners, land owners, etc.)
• Uncontrolled blasting leading to cracks on building/infrastructure both public and private houses in these areas. For instance, a thorny case is being handled at the Atwereboanda community.
• Environmental pollution from the quarry dust is uncontrollably affecting the communities.
• Non enforcement of 500meters buffer zones regulation
• Inadequate benefits (especially CSR) to the host communities in the quarry enclave.

Non establishment of the Community Mining Schemes as required by the Laws (section 16 of MDF Act, 2016, Act 912).

Status quo

The absence of action to address these challenges has led to weak and bad relationship between the companies and the communities, disregard for certain aspects of the law by the Operators, and lack of serious pro-poor interventions for the communities from the companies and weak enforcement.

There is very low commitment by Quarry companies to invest in host communities.

Low level of revenue generation from the activities of quarry companies which affect the ability of the Assembly to carry out many more project for the communities.

Action

The commitment are:

1. Facilitate the establishment of the Community Mining Schemes
2. Set up a Quarry Control Committee in the District
3. Establish a Quarry Development Fund
4. Establish a regular dialogue Forum for the District involving regulatory bodies and communities.
5. Community Entry Policy and Operational Guidelines

The expected results include the following:

1. Community Mining Schemes established
2. A District Quarry Control Committee Established
3. Quarry Development Fund set up and in operation
4. A dialogue Forum instituted for regular engagement with operators and regulators
5. Community Entry and Operational Guidelines developed and enforced.

The overall objectives are increasing participation of major stakeholders in the Quarry Industry, ensuring effective regulation of the operations of Quarry Companies, providing clean, unpolluted and safe environment and enhancing the economic fortunes of the indigenous people in the Quarry Zones and create wealth for expanded provision of socioeconomic services to the people.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

Expected Outputs will include the following:

1. Community Mining Schemes established
2. Quarry Control Committee set up in the District
3. Quarry Development Fund established
4. Regular dialogue Forum for the District involving regulatory bodies and communities instituted
5. Community Entry Policy and Operational Guidelines developed and enforced.

The expected outcomes will include the following:

• Blasting issues around the 500m zone buffer between the Quarry Companies and residential areas, Non-Payment of compensation to land and farm owners and environmental pollution issues will be resolved.
• Enhanced social interventions such as regular health screening, scholarship schemes and others for the host communities.
• Ease the huge financial burden on Assembly and provide alternative funding source to finance social interventions.
• Skills development and alternative livelihood will be created and ensure sustainable economic empowerment.
• Regular Town hall meetings will ensure transparency and accountability within the extractive sector. Effective enforcement of EPA laws by the Quarry Committee and EPA officials

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The desired long- term goals for this commitment cut across both national and local levels: Key among them include the following:

• Enhanced domestic revenue mobilisation strategy of the Assembly
• Ensure effective linkage of extractive industry to the rest of the economy (national and local goal)
• Poverty alleviation as it will promote services that contribute to increasing income, women's empowerment, and the transformation of women’s gender relations in the extractive industry (national and local goal)
• Contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2, 4, 5, and 12.2.
• Enhanced social license for the companies through peace building and community harmony
• Ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services though the skills development and alternative livelihood programmes.

Eventually lead to the achievement of the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Primary Policy Area

Regulatory Governance, Social Accountability

Primary Sector

Environment & Climate, Extractive Industries

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?