GHANA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (GIMPA)
By Joyce Boahemaa Fosu
The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) joined forces on November 29, 2023, to unravel the complex issues surrounding human rights in the expanding small-scale mining sector. Stakeholders from various spheres, including mining professionals, academicians, human rights activists, and representatives from government bodies such as the Ministries and the Forestry Commission, converged for the day-long seminar. A cross-section of GIMPA staff and students were also present.
The Ag. Deputy Rector of GIMPA, Dr. Augustina Akonnor, extended a warm welcome to the diverse gathering, underscoring the sector’s pivotal role in wealth creation, employment, and economic development. Yet, as the sector thrives, so too have concerns about human rights violations emerged. She cited instances of forced labor, gender-based violence, and child labor as pressing issues that demanded attention.
“This seminar is very timely,” she remarked, her optimism radiating. The overarching goal? To generate practical recommendations that would not only rectify human rights violations but also foster sustainable practices within the industry.
The keynote address was delivered by the Rector of GIMPA, Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, who delved into the intricacies of the small-scale mining sector in Ghana. Titled ‘Organising Precarity: Ghana’s Artisanal Small-Scale Mining Sector in Five Stanzas,’ Prof. Bonsu’s address drew from comprehensive research, including interviews with miners.
He shared insights into the background of the research, enumerated key findings, and presented recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges identified.
As the seminar concluded, participants left with a heightened awareness of the issues at hand and a shared commitment to building a sustainable and socially responsible small-scale mining industry in Ghana.
The event stands as a testament to the commitment of both GIMPA and KAS to foster dialogue, understanding, and positive change in critical sectors of national development.
CORPORATE AFFAIRS & INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
