Section of guests and participants in a group photograph
The planetGOLD Ghana Project, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has organised a two-day capacity-building workshop to strengthen financial inclusion and promote responsible supply chains in Ghana’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector.
The training brought together artisanal miners, financial institutions, insurance companies, and experts to address long-standing barriers preventing miners from accessing formal financing and to encourage sustainable mining practices.
Opening the workshop, Jewel Kudjawu, Director of the Inter-Sectoral Network at the EPA, underscored the pivotal role of financial institutions in transforming the ASGM sector.
She noted that the initiative not only provides miners with the skills to engage effectively with banks but also helps financial institutions to appreciate the sector’s unique needs.
“Together, we can design sustainable financial solutions that promote formalisation and strengthen responsible supply chains,” she remarked.
Dr. Frank Boateng, a mining finance expert from the University of Mines and Technology, led sessions on financial literacy, business planning, record-keeping, and risk management.
He stressed that sustainable mining anchored in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards is vital for long-term operations and for attracting local and international investment.
On the second day, participants turned their attention to the sector’s risk profile and the potential for tailored products to support miners.
Amanda McSamuel, Head of SME Business at Enterprise Insurance, highlighted opportunities for developing insurance products suited to the realities of artisanal mining.
“This engagement has underscored the importance of building trust and creating solutions that are mutually beneficial,” she explained.
The workshop also explored financing mechanisms to support mercury-free mining technologies, a core objective of the planetGOLD Ghana Project.
By phasing out mercury use, the project seeks to reduce environmental harm while improving miners’ access to markets that demand responsibly sourced gold.
For many participants, the training was a turning point.
“I am excited about this programme,” said Richard Osei of Okutey Mine in the Prestea Huni Valley District.
“I now understand the requirements and processes needed to secure financing and investment from banks and insurance entities. I feel empowered to approach them for support,” he added.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the EPA, the planetGOLD Ghana Project is working to address the sector’s most pressing challenges – limited access to finance, environmental degradation, and informal operations. By promoting financial inclusion, responsible supply chains, and mercury-free technologies, the project aims to formalise artisanal mining, protect the environment, and enhance the livelihoods of mining communities across the country.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke