Civil society: Difference between revisions

This is a widespread problem about which NGOs and civil society organizations have raised their voices and called for government assistance, as well as manage their land and leave them without work environment do not receive adequate compensation and not take into account affected communities in decision-making, which can not have a right advice and are negatively affected in the treatment, leading to social confrontations and discomfort with mining companies. They demand that the mining laws recognise these problems and provide an adequate resolution of the problem.

In national forums community representatives and organizations talk about their rights, they draft reports and they inform of the policies that are taking effect for the Government's part, as it seems some member from the government are also there.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) fight for mining reforms. In the Third World's Network Africa has asked for the harmonizing of the existing policies and the adoption of standards on behalf of a series of civil society groups and that they improve cooperation. In turn they have urged the African governments to improve understanding and the quality of the reforms.  

Another organization such as EITI is a coalition of governments, companies and civil society groups that establishes global standards of transparency for the oil, gas and mining industries, investors and international organizations. The EITI's rules establishing the promotion of transparency of opportunities at the local level. Publish What You Pay (PWYP) a global coalition of civil society that urges transparency and rendition of accounts.

===Poverty, illiteracy and child work===

The articles that discuss this topic focuses mainly on the problem of illegal mining or “Galamsey” and the education and commitment to the communities affected.

There are several NGOs working on the issue of illegal mining on this subject we quote Retired Mine Workers Foundation (REMWOF) which is working to make a return of workers to enable them to its development in the region. African Initiative on Mining, Environment and Society (AIMES) also called on the government to stop the looting of mining in Ghana, optimize the net benefit of mining, and also protect the sector with a new conception of investment that prioritizes a balance between artisanal and small scale.

On education are also many NGOs working on it such as World Partners for Development (WPD) and Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development (CIKOD). The first work to develop and implement innovative sustainable solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges that currently are affecting human life, especially in Africa is starting education and awareness program that includes governments, community-based organizations, international organizations and individuals to help rural communities and to improve quality of the environment.  

The Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development (CIKOD) urges the government, enterprises and associations to find solutions for a balanced and sustainable development of populations because the resources now belong to the dead, the living and the unborn, and posterity will not forgive us if we are not able to secure a safe future for all. Also tell us to minimize social conflict is necessary to involve local people in the changes that are having about mining to meet them in the best way and still maintain their culture.

In addition Governments and international organizations should play a larger role through training, education and health awareness, and play a greater role in the dissemination and transfer of important technologies for small-scale mining. Communities should be empowered with awareness programs on education in mining and its effects, as we read in the article on the workshop organized by Friends of the Earth (FoE) brought together CSO´s, Forest Watch Ghana (FWG), Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), Friends of Earth Uganda and Life Mosaic UK, where participants decided to train the indigenous peoples through effective education through regular community radio programs and dialogues with local authorities.

== The NGOs work. ==

The NGOs are very important from my point of view. The work they do is fundamental and the and concern for people trying to solve problems that arise, I think it is fundamental to understanding how society tries to solve the problems around him.

I would like to highlight some of them with the activities that have drawn attention to me and even those who have highlighted for me somehow, under my own discretion. In the last document we did, we saw a lot of things like some organizations with sophisticated technologies that offer engineering solutions to global challenges such as climate change, energy poverty, environmental degradation, and pollution on local communities in Ghana and Africa.

We see that it continuously seeks to improve the situation we find in Ghana and for that, working in community, seeking support by way of association.

Perhaps more importantly what I see from the standpoint of the associations we studied, is that the benefits obtained from the point of view of the association are at the enterprise level, where a few people enjoy few powers (also economic) and the rest of society is left out, if not in this section, associations, NGOs, the benefit is for all, working together to achieve benefits that are equally valid for everyone.

Promoting a sustainable environment and the health of the company associated with him is what is mainly given by these organizations, and its main objective to promote a clean and environmentally friendly society.  

One of the most effective and sustainable strategies are re-skilling programmes in alternative and sustainable livelihoods. This approach is used to address and eradicate poverty. Mining companies adopt this method in the belief that it will help reduce the communities’ economic dependence on the mine, so that communities are self-sustaining after the mine has closed. It could also provide alternative livelihoods for illegal small-scale miners operating on their concession. However, several potential problems arise. Firstly real financial support is needed to implement and sustain these projects until they are self-financing. Then for the programme to be successful adequate support and training must be provided throughout the lifetime of such projects to develop the capacity of those involved.  

The government should improve the registration process and restore galamsey's confidence towards legalization of small-scale mining. The land specifically allocated of for small-scale mining must be provided. However that means that intensive prospecting must be first undertaken.

The government, international organizations as well as mining companies should play a larger role in training, education and health awareness in mining and its effects. Especially mining companies can also play a great part in transfer and incorporation of best technologies for small-scale mining.

== Is Civil society representatives really a partner for dialogue about long term visions? ==

As we read, civilian representation is very important, either as NGOs, civil organizations or through the community leaders of the people affected.

They are doing a great job fighting for their rights in the affected areas and informing the public of existing problems and possible solutions, in addition to pressure the government in making decisions.

In conclusion, if it was not for the fighting of civil representation in Ghana the sustainability development in the mining case it would be even further, and civil society representatives should be part of the dialogue in decision-making, consulting organizations or  Ghana people, without them the subject of mining is under the control of the mining companies which they can get pressure on the state with the single argument of economic growth, although it is not sustainable.