| Foe-Ghana is putting pressure on the government and mining companies to address the devastating environmental and social costs of mining. Foe-Ghana wishes to raise general awareness of this issue and lobby the government to enact and enforce regulations that will safeguard both the local communities and the environment. Attention is also given to educating small scale miners to use better environmental and safety practices. Particular emphasis is placed on the misuse of mercury.
Mining in Forest Reserves-Campaign and Advocacy:
Many forest reserves in Ghana are in danger of being used for open-cast mining which is already destroying vast areas of forest in the country. Yet forest reserves are supposed to be protected by government law. FoE-Ghana's campaign, which also works with a much broader coalition of organisations - the Coalition Against Mining in Forest Reserves - aims to halt the encroachment of open mining activities into forest reserves. It is also involved with raising awareness and capacity building amongst forest fringe communities to strengthen their capacity to fight for the forests. If they have this capacity to fight environmentally and socially damaging developments in or near their communities, they will feel less of a need to rely on outsiders for their strength.The mining companies all originate in countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and have signed a voluntary agreement containing principles to guide their activities.
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