The Golden Line Ghana

The Golden Line aims to contribute to the economic empowerment of women living in and around artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities in Ghana. The Golden Line wants to create a world where men and women are treated as equally important and where women have control over their lives and their bodies.

For more information on the global programme, click here.

 

In Ghana, the programme is being implemented in selected communities in the Western and Ashanti Regions. The programme aims to improve the working conditions of women within small-scale gold mines as well as work closely with communities and women outside the gold mines to improve their status and abilities to engage in economic activities, increase their knowledge on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and create an enabling environment in which communities, health workers and authorities recognize women’s health needs and rights.

 

 

WOMEN IN MINING COMMUNITIES IN GHANA

 

Ghana and Tanzania are the second and fourth largest producers of gold in Africa. In Ghana, approximately half of the 250,000 people directly involved in artisanal and small-scale gold mines (ASGM), are women.

  • There are several challenges related to the position of women in mining in Ghana:
  • Men control most of the activities in the small scale mining sector, limiting women’s opportunities for economic and social development
  • Women in the mining communities have limited access to health services, resulting in reduced productivity and health risks.
  • They have poor knowledge of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), which makes them more vulnerable to sexual based violence,  unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and maternal health risks.
  • Irresponsible mining practices endanger women’s health.

 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The Golden Line has successfully achieved the following results in Ghana:

  • 101 Village Savings and Loans associations were formed in 29 Communities - made up of 2000+ women
  • 2000+ women can now save and access loans from the VSLA (Village Saving and Loan Association) groups
  • 5 Daddys clubs were formed, supporting other men/peers to appreciate gender equality
  • Over 2,600 women were educated on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
  • Over 500 men and traditional authorities were educated on Gender Based Violence
  • The new mining policy ‘Multi sectoral Mining Integrated Policy (MMIP)’ now also addresses gender issues
  • Over 280 artisanal and small-scale gold mineworkers in 13 gold mines received training on gender equality, safety & health, business skills in line with international standards such as Fairtrade and Fairmined
  • 180 entrepreneurs are running viable health business and providing quality health information
  • Health education by the use of the tablet has reached out directly to 41 women and their households who are also extending it to their community members
  • The establishment 5 main drugs stores to serve deprived and hard to reach catchment communities

As a result:

  • The Golden Line has contributed to improved knowledge in the mines and communities and helped to debunk myths.
  • women can now perform a greater variety of tasks in the mines than traditionally assigned to them because of their gender.
  • Most mines involved in Golden Line now hold the norm that women should be able to join the management or fulfil higher administrative functions, like accounting

To watch the full 19-minute version, click here.

PROGRAMME BENEFICIARIES

 

In Ghana, the Golden line programme works with 45 Mining Communities in Western and parts of Ashanti Regions and 15 Mines in Western and Parts of Ashanti Regions.

Seven Districts of Operation

  • Tarkwa Nsuaem
  • Ellembelle
  • Prestea Huni Valley
  • Wassa Amenfi East
  • Wassa Amenfi Central
  • Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai
  • Atwima-Mponua

 

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PARTNERS

The Golden Line programme in Ghana is initiative of Simavi, Solidaridad and Healthy Entrepreneurs. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is funding this programme for the period of 2016 to 2020 as part of their efforts to increase opportunities for women. In Ghana, programme implementation is done by all Partners of Simavi - locally represented by HFFG and PRS&D - Healthy Entrepreneurs and Solidaridad

  • Formation of village savings and loans associations for women
  • Organize gender discussions
  • Facilitate business skills trainings for women
  • Make communities a safer and more social environment for women
  • Engage communities on gender equality and women’s health needs and rights
  • Advocate for women friendly policies and services

  • Build capacity of mines to attain Fairmined Certification. Major components: Labour and Gender Issues, Health and Safety, Environmental, Management, Responsible Use of Mercury and Ore Optimization, Internal Control System & Basic Financial Management
  • Train mining associations on lobby and advocacy for gender sensitive mining policies
  • Provide opportunities for women to take different positions in mines
  • Engage and inform market players on fair mining in support of women’s needs and rights

  • Train women as entrepreneurs running health businesses
  • Improve current health services by training chemical shop owners/ starting new chemical shops in underserved areas
  • Improve accessibility to affordable and quality health products
  • Health education on sexual and reproductive health rights , responsible mining practices and other public health topics

CONTACT

If you like to get in touch or have more information about the Golden Line in Ghana , you can contact Irene Owusu-Poku via: