Friends of the Nation (FoN), in partnership with the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), has organised a one-day training workshop to present findings from a newly developed Resource Index Dashboard.
It is a tool designed to track socio-economic conditions in communities within the country’s emerging lithium catchment areas.
The workshop brought together community representatives, local authorities, civil society organisations, and the media to deepen understanding of baseline data gathered from months of research on livelihoods, access to social services, economic activities, environmental conditions, and community expectations ahead of lithium mining operations.
According to the organisers, the Resource Index Dashboard was intended to serve as a comprehensive reference point for monitoring whether the arrival of lithium extraction improves or worsens the living conditions of affected populations.
The baseline indicators captured through the research would enable researchers, policymakers, and community actors to conduct future comparative assessments once mining activities fully commenced.
Speaking at the training, facilitators from FoN explained that the dashboard was developed to promote transparency, evidence-based advocacy, and community participation in natural resource governance.
They noted that with lithium fast becoming a strategic mineral for Ghana’s energy transition agenda, it was crucial to ensure that host communities are not left behind in terms of development benefits.
Policy Analyst with ACEP, Mr Mohammed Osman, emphasised the role of accurate data in shaping policy decisions, stressing that early documentation of social and economic realities was vital for measuring impact over time.
He added that the tool would support sustained dialogue between stakeholders, ensuring that concerns of local residents were captured and addressed as the industry evolved.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that the findings offered clearer picture of their current conditions and provided a basis for holding duty bearers accountable in the years ahead.
They called for continuous stakeholder engagement and regular updates to the dashboard as the sector progressed.
Madam Aba Kwakyewaa, a resident in one of the lithium catchment communities, registered her displeasure at a proposed government agreement to the 10 percent on the lithium income describing it as a cheat.
She also expresed worry over the delayed ratification of the lithium agreement.
The Secretary to the chief of Krampakrom, Mr Charles Paa Grant, questioned the rationale behind the 10 percent.
The training marked a significant step towards strengthening community oversight and ensuring that Ghana’s lithium development contributed meaningfully to local well-being and national growth.
