A. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
The Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) in partnership with WACAM and Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with support from Oxfam in Ghana under the Alliance Fund is seeking the services of a Ghanaian research consultant to conduct research into human rights concerns in mining affected communities in Ahafo and Akyem areas of Ghana. Even though Ghana’s mining sector is by far one of the most critical contributors to the nation’s economy, it is fraught with allegations of human rights violations especially complained against the mining company and this therefore requires further investigations.
Some human rights abuses are in the form of unfair and inadequate compensation and resettlement packages for the affected persons and groups, wrongful denial of access to farmlands and other properties owned by communities and farmers, arbitrary arrest and detentions, physical threats and malicious prosecutions. There are also cases of threats to community activists, and Civil Society Organizations by traditional authorities acting in concert with the mining company and some government officials thus undermining freedom of association. The rest are flouting of existing legislations on compensation and resettlement, environmental governance and human rights protection.
On the gender implications, operations of these mining companies have strongly impacted women and youth disproportionately. Rural women for instance in these areas must travel longer distances to work on other people’s farms to secure basic income and to fetch water for domestic and other purposes. It is also a fact that women’s access to productive assets such as land for purposes of farming is challenged because of the companies’ operations. Where compensation is involved, negotiations automatically put women in an unfair position because of the power dynamic intrinsic in the unequal relations with powerful mining companies. Generally, these adverse impacts may be summarized but not limited to:
- Unfair compensation and resettlement package
- Narrowed civic space
- Abuse of human rights
- Restricted access to land and economic rights for women
- Arbitrary arrests and detentions,
- Physical threats, and
- Erosion of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
B. ABOUT THE CONSULTANCY
The selected research consultant should be a qualified Ghanaian who is able to conduct research by way of gathering evidence from affected mining communities in Ahafo and Akyem areas of Ghana. This will require field visits to interview affected persons and personal observation. It will also require review of existing data on human rights abuses in Ghana’s mining areas particularly those that occur in Ahafo and Akyem areas of Ghana.
C. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The research should cover mining operational sites in Ghana namely:
I. The Ahafo Region and
II. The Akyem mine project
The Ahafo mine site Location:
The research should gather stories and experiences from selected affected persons sampled from the Ahafo mines operations in the Ahafo North Project, such as:
1. Terchire,
2. Yamfo,
3. Afrisipakrom,
4. Susuanso and
5. Adrobaa in the Tano North Municipality
The Akyem mine project Location:
The research should also gather stories and experiences from selected affected persons sampled from the Akyem mines operations. The Akyem mine operates within 10 host communities in the Birim North District of Ghana’s Eastern Region namely:
1. Adausena,
2. Yaw Tano,
3. Old Abirem,
4. New Abirem,
5. Hweakwae,
6. Tano,
7. Afosu,
8. Mamanso,
9. Ntronang and
10. Yayaaso.
D. THEMATIC AREA/FOCUS
The main guiding themes of the research should include but not limited to
1. Access to land by the mining company
2. Unfair compensation and resettlement package (What does the law say)
3. Narrowed civic space
4. Abuse of human rights.
5. Human Rights and Environmental Justice
6. Restricted access to land and economic rights for women
7. Erosion of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). This Illustrating how to ensure rights are respected in land and resource decisions, while fostering more sustainable and equitable practices within the mining value chains.
E. SOURCES /CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION
1. Qualitative and anecdotal evidence from affected persons
2. Review of financial statements; reports and records of financiers of the mining company
3. Assessment of court records and impacts of operations and grievance reports against the mining company and other countries.
4. Media information on operations of the mining company
F. REQUIREMENTS FOR BIDDERS
1. Must possess academic qualification not below first university Degree
2. Ability to gather evidence through interviews with affected people
3. Strong analytical skills on the laws and regulations in the mining sector
4. Knowledge of the Ghanaian context on human rights, social justice, or environmental issues.
5. Ability to deliver results within 6 weeks from the date of singing contract
G. DURATION
1. Be ready to sign contracts by 29/10/2024
2. Submit draft analysis for review on the 29/11/2024
H. HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit their Expression Of Interest supported with cover letter, CVs, Financial proposal or quotation and evidence of ability to conduct research through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not later than Monday, 28th October, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
