Wacam, with support from the BRACE project, has been bringing communities together through peer learning sessions aimed at strengthening advocacy for responsible mining and mobilising citizens for collective action.
The initiative has reached people in communities as Kenyasi, Damso, Dokyikrom, Terchire and Susuanso, Donkro Nkwanta among others. The sessions provide a platform for community members to share experiences, learn from one another and explore ways of addressing concerns affecting their lives, livelihoods and environment.
At the heart of the initiative is the recognition that communities possess valuable knowledge drawn from their everyday experiences. Bringing them together creates opportunities to exchange lessons on community organising, engagement with authorities and advocacy for accountable mining practices.
The purpose of the sessions extends beyond sharing concerns. They seek to strengthen communities’ ability to organise around common priorities and pursue their demands through peaceful, informed and sustained action.
This means connecting learning with practical steps: identifying issues that require attention, gathering reliable information, agreeing on shared demands and deciding how to engage the institutions responsible for addressing them.
Community mobilisation also requires participation beyond a few leaders. Women, young people, farmers and other community members need opportunities to contribute to decisions and help shape the advocacy agenda. Wider participation can strengthen community ownership and ensure that collective demands reflect the experiences of those affected.
Through the BRACE programme, Wacam is helping create space for these voices and strengthening the links between community knowledge, advocacy and action.The continuing task is to translate the lessons shared into sustained community organising and follow-up. By learning together and building solidarity, communities can strengthen their collective voice and press for mining practices that respect their rights, protect the environment and safeguard livelihoods.
