By Samuel Sam
The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS) of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has hosted a public lecture calling for a national consensus on the sustainable extraction of Ghana’s natural resources to support long-term economic transformation.
Held in collaboration with the Third World Network-Africa (TWN-Africa), the event was themed ‘Ghana’s economic transformation and the role of extractives: Putting the community at the centre of Ghana’s transformation’. It formed part of TWN-Africa’s 30th anniversary ‘Campus Conversations’ series and brought together academics, policy-makers, civil society actors, students and industry representatives.
Dean of the faculty, Professor Jasper Abembia Ayelazuno, emphasised the urgent need for a robust national policy that not only regulates the extractive sector but also ensures that raw materials are refined locally, with due consideration for the welfare of affected communities.
Professor Ayelazuno expressed concern over the environmental degradation caused by unchecked mining practices and called for a state of emergency to address the threat such activities pose to Ghana’s food security and natural heritage.
“Our forests are being destroyed, and the livelihoods of women in mining communities are being erased,” he said. “They can no longer gather snails, shea nuts and firewood, which are vital to their daily sustenance and income. Meanwhile, men lament the loss of ancestral lands.”
He further criticised the continued export of unrefined minerals, describing the practice as “exporting dirty gold” that does not contribute meaningfully to national development. “For transformation to occur, Ghana must move beyond exporting raw resources and begin to add value locally,” he asserted.
Mr. Francis Yenbila, a community leader from the Mining Watch Group in Nabdam, highlighted the consequences of weak enforcement of mining and environmental regulations, which he said have resulted in the destruction of smallholder farms in the area.
Programmes Officer at TWN-Africa, Pauline Vande-Pallen, reiterated that Ghana possesses the capacity to manage its natural resources effectively. However, she noted that systemic failure in enforcement remains a major barrier.
“If the laws were working, many of the issues we see—such as environmental degradation and community displacement—would not occur,” she said. “It is crucial that regulations are enforced and community voices are heard at every stage of the extractive process.”
She added that the aim of the lecture was to raise awareness among students and academic staff about how extractive resources can be better harnessed for national development.
“Extraction happens in communities, and it is the communities that face the direct consequences. National discourse must take their concerns seriously,” she said.
Participants engaged in vibrant discussions about the role of extractives in economic development, the need for local refining, and the imperative of placing communities at the heart of policy-making. The event concluded with a strong call for inclusive, sustainable and community-focused natural resource governance in Ghana.
