Facilitating Learning of Women in Emerging Regions (FLOWER), with support for A Rocha Ghana is implementing an advocacy campaign to educate residents in Akanteng, Wamase/Abease and Kobriso in the West Akyem Municipality of the Eastern Region on long term negative effects of illegal mining.
Illegal Mining, popularly known as Galamsey has been rampant in the Communities and it has destroyed Forest,Farm land and Rivers.
The project seeks to achieve Raise community members’ awareness of the negative impacts of illegal mining, Challenging and alter community members perceptions regarding illegal mining as a viable income generating activity, aiming to dispel misconceptions and highlight sustainable environmental practices, Mobilize active support from community members and stakeholders to combat illegal mining and promote sustainable environmental practices, Advocate for responsible and sustainable mining practices emphasizing environmental protection land reclamation and well-being of community members Engage relevant government agencies to provide alternative livelihoods training and secure capital support for the youth.
To achieve the above stated objectives, FLOWER has been carrying out these activities to to educate community members on the long-term effect of illegal mining on the environment and their health.
Chief Executive officer for FLOWER, Attah Helen Honesty in an interview said her team has been embarking on Sensitization of stakeholders as far as illegal mining is concerned (EPA, Forestry commission, Minerals commission, Municipal environmental officers, Municipal Assembly, Business Advisory committee, Ministry of Agriculture, chiefs, Assembly members, leaders of youth groups, reps of Christian and Muslim council, Head teachers and teachers)Community durbar in each of the communities to educate community members on the impact of illegal mining on their health, land, and water bodies.
She said FLOWER will also collaborate with the Business Advisory Committee to provide training in the area of agriculture and from their baseline survey, most community members are aware of the pollution of the water bodies as the major effect or illegal mining (about 90%) and on the average, (50%) are aware of the land degradation. Only 5% are aware of some health effects. From our activities so far, most community members have become aware of the various health impact, especially, with the frequent contact with mercury.
A Rocha Ghana is a Ghanaian non-profit environmental conservation organization established in 1999 while FLOWER( Facilitating Learning Of Women in Emerging Regions – Flower) is a non-profit organization based in the town of Asamankese in Ghana, West Africa, interested in empowering girls and women. Touching on their health issues ,hygiene and general welfare.
Source:Mybrytfmonline/ Mensah Atakora
