Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has projected that the current administration is well-positioned to fulfill its manifesto commitments to the Ghanaian people in the extractive sector within the next four years.
The report, titled “Keeping Faith with the Voters,” provides a detailed scorecard on the government’s progress in the mining, petroleum, climate change, energy transition, environment, and anti-corruption sectors.
The study, conducted by the Alliance of CSOs comprising five coalitions and nine organizations across the extractive industry, painted a largely positive picture of the government’s efforts to deliver on its campaign promises.
The findings suggest that the administration has made satisfactory progress in the first year, setting the stage for the successful implementation of its manifesto pledges by the end of its term.
“It is expected that at a pace of 25 per cent implementation a year, the government would achieve full implementation in four years.” the report stated, underscoring the government’s strong footing in the extractive sector.
“This report is not a political judgment; it is not an attack on any institution or administration; rather, the scorecard is to serve as a guide on how well the government is doing in fulfilling the development aspirations of the Ghanaian voter.”
Mr. Samuel Bekoe, Executive Director,CEDA
Role of CSOs and the Government’s Manifesto Promises
The Alliance of CSOs, which includes the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Imani Center for Policy and Education, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), and the Centre for Extractives and Development Africa (CEDA), among others, has taken on the crucial task of monitoring the government’s performance in the extractive sector.
By tracking policy announcements, government directives, regulatory decisions, and institutional actions, the CSOs have been able to provide a comprehensive assessment of the administration’s progress.
The report’s findings indicate that the government has scored an average of 28.6 per cent of its overall commitments in all areas, except for the anti-corruption sector, where it scored 23 per cent, falling slightly below the required 25 per cent yearly threshold.
Notably, the government’s performance was strongest in the mining sector, where it scored an impressive 37.5 per cent, followed by the environment and forestry sector at 30.2 per cent.
In the petroleum sector, the government scored 26.8 per cent, while it achieved 25.6 per cent in the climate change and energy transition arena.
Manifesto Promises: A Promising Trajectory
The CSOs’ assessment paints a promising picture of the government’s ability to fulfill its manifesto promises in the extractive industry.
The report highlights several key initiatives and policies implemented by the administration, including the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), the tracking of excavators used for mining, the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and the setting up of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).
These efforts, as outlined in the report, demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges in the mining industry and creating a more transparent and accountable framework for the management of the country’s natural resources.
While the CSOs have commended the government for its satisfactory progress, they also underscored the need for more concerted efforts in the area of anti-corruption.
The report emphasizes that delays in tackling corruption could have implications on the successful implementation of the government’s manifesto commitments, potentially leading to unfulfilled outcomes by 2028.
The Alliance of CSOs’ scorecard initiative serves as a vital tool for promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of government policies.
By providing a comprehensive assessment of the administration’s performance, the report empowers citizens to hold their leaders accountable and ensures that the government remains focused on delivering on its promises to the Ghanaian people.
While the government continues its efforts to fulfill its manifesto commitments in the extractive sector, the insights and recommendations provided by the Alliance of CSOs will play a crucial role in shaping the policy discourse and driving sustainable development in Ghana’s natural resource management.
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