The Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) was officially launched on 5th September 1998. Our aim is to mobilize the communities around the Critical Communities' Concerns. We have worked as volunteers in the past to address the many concerns of the communities.
Background | Objectives | Forms of Work | Target Groups
The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) launched the economic recovery programme (ERP) in 1983. The IMF/World Bank sponsored ERP opened up the extractive sector for massive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This led to the establishment of seven surface mining companies in the Wassa West District.
The concentration of surface mines in the Wassa area brought social, environmental and economic problems to the people of the area. The problems are related to the following.
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Land
use conflicts/ loss of farmlands
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Destruction of sacred and cultural
sites
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Police and mine security brutalities
in
the mining communities
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Forced evictions
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Inadequate compensations
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Resettlement/relocation problems
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Land degradation
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Increased school dropout rate
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Unemployment
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Human rights violations
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Displacement of communities
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Pollution of air and water bodies
¬ Water and airborne diseases
¬ To secure the rights of mining communities
¬ To sensitize communities who's lands have been ceded to mining companies to obtain acceptable compensation or appreciable packages in relocation and resettlement issues pertaining to mining
¬ To liase with Governmental and other agencies on issues on concern to the mining communities
¬ To raise public awareness about issues on mining, environment and livelihood
¬ To collaborate with other groups and organizations with similar interest
¬ Campaign and advocacy on mining, environment and livelihood
¬ Network with civil society organizations with similar objectives to provide service to the communities
¬ Agriculture and food sufficiency / security
¬ Representation of mining communities on negotiations
¬ Information gathering, research and documentation
¬ Sensitization of Communities on their rights and responsibilities
¬ Alternative employment issues
We have focused our activities on
¬ Mining communities
¬ Intelligentsia with nationalistic views
¬ Media people
¬ Traditional authorities
¬ Women
¬ Governmental / non governmental agencies
¬ Politicians