EU-backed BRACE Project Trains Communities to Tackle Irresponsible Mining with Evidence and Safety Skills
Communities in mining-affected areas across Ghana have participated in specialized training organized by A Rocha Ghana and the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF) under the European Union-funded BRACE initiative.
The workshop, held in Kumasi, brought together media representatives and residents impacted by mining operations to develop practical skills in documenting mining abuses while maintaining personal safety. Lawyer Joyann Obeng emphasized that evidence is fundamental to helping the right authorities hold perpetrators accountable, stressing the importance of discreet evidence collection using appropriate electronic tools to protect participants' safety.
Beyond documentation, training participants were equipped to serve as advocates within their communities, receiving instruction in data collection alongside self-protection strategies. The BRACE project operates across several extractive regions in Ghana with the goal of enabling communities to demand accountability, safeguard their environment, and address mining-related vulnerabilities.