The Chairman of the Ghana Extractives Transparency Initiative, Dr. Steve Manteaw, has said that inclusive policymaking reduces controversy and fosters constructive dialogue, citing the GoldBod initiative as an example of effective stakeholder engagement.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 1, Dr. Manteaw responded to questions about why civil society organizations (CSOs) have been relatively quiet on the GoldBod initiative.
He clarified that CSOs were not silent but had actively participated in consultations, ensuring that their concerns were addressed before the policy was finalized.
According to him, the GoldBod process followed a precedent set by the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA), which also enjoyed broad CSO support due to an inclusive approach.
He said a major stakeholder meeting was held in Accra, followed by a special CSO consultation where critical concerns including regulatory conflicts with the Minerals Commission and the need for stronger transparency measures were discussed and resolved.
He said CSOs were also given the opportunity to submit proposals, which influenced the final framework.
He noted that further consultations were held in key mining communities, marking what Dr. Manteaw described as a positive shift in Ghana’s democratic culture.
“I take note that some compatriot still have issues related to the GoldBod. Such also deserve to be heard. Please, address your concerns to the GoldBod, at the former PMMC office, Diamond House Accra or contact me through messenger, and I will facilitate access.
I can assure you that, they are very receptive. The development of regulations, guidelines and practice notes which are necessary for the operationalisation of the Act afford us the opportunity to have some lingering concerns addressed,” he wrote.
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QUESTIONS ARE BEING ASKED AS TO WHY CSOs HAVE BEEN QUIET ON THE GOLDBOD. THESE ARE THEVREASONS:
This is not the only piece of legislation in Ghana that has received a broad civil society support in recent times. The Petroleum Revenue Management Act passed under an NDC government was also broadly supported by CSOs. The lesson I draw from the PRMA and the GoldBod processes is that, when politicians are proactive in creating opportunities for citizens to input into major policy decisions, there’s usually less accrimony. In the particular case of the GoldBod, a big stakeholder consultation that brought diverse stakeholders together was held in Accra. This was followed by a CSOs consultation at the request of CSOs. Issues were raised, including a potential regulatory conflict with the Minerals Commission. The CSOs also demanded the strengthening of the transparency and accountability provisions, and urged that lessons were drawn from PMMC’s past involvement in gold trading and it’s associated legacy debt. The CSOs were given the opportunity to submit a paper on some of their proposals, which they took advantage of. These did not generate the usual controversy and agitation because the GoldBod Committee was open to advice and criticism. Most of the concerns raised were subsequently addressed.
Further consultations were held in major mining areas of the country.
The approach signifies a new era in our democratic culture, where our leaders are beginning to recognise that when they create opportunities for citizens’ engagement, they get told all the misgivings and issues of disagreement in the room. But when they shut the door in the face of citizens then battle lines are drawn and the salvos begin to fly in.
I take note that some compatriot still have issues related to the GoldBod. Such also deserve to be heard. Please, address your concerns to the GoldBod, at the former PMMC office, Diamond House Accra or contact me through messenger, and I will facilitate access. I can assure you that, they are very receptive. The development of regulations, guidelines and practice notes which are necessary for the operationalisation of the Act afford us the opportunity to have some lingering concerns addressed.
We are all involved in building our motherland.
Shalom
