Promoting Gender Equality in Ghana's Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector

As part of a broader commitment to integrate gender mainstreaming into Ghana's mining value-chain, the Environmental Protection Authority, under the planetGOLD Project, has initiated a comprehensive review of gender responsiveness in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) policies, regulations, and operations. Field teams visited four key mining communities in the Eastern Region to collect first-hand data and engage with women mining groups. The findings revealed that women's groups actively participate in gold processing and other small-scale mining activities, but face numerous systemic barriers, including financial inclusion, cultural taboos, and operational challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Women's groups in the four mining communities (Dome, Hemang, Jampomgmane, and Dwenase) are actively involved in gold processing and small-scale mining activities, with most members being women aged 18 to 45 with low levels of formal education.
• The women's groups have formed businesses to support income generation and community development, with members accessing capital through loans from sponsors and sharing profits among members after purchasing and processing ore bought from concession owners.
• The women face significant financial, cultural, and operational barriers, including limited financial inclusion, insecurity and harassment by regulatory authorities, and cultural taboos and bans on certain foods and clothing.
• The women expressed a strong desire to climb the mining value chain, with many aspiring to own mining concessions and receive training in operating excavators and heavy-duty trucks.
• The team advised mining companies and regulatory bodies to adopt and implement gender-responsive policies, address cultural beliefs and taboos that limit women's participation in mining, and provide financial literacy programs and access to business bank accounts.

Statistics:

• 100% of women mining groups in the four communities actively participated in gold processing and small-scale mining activities.
• 90% of woman mining group members have low levels of formal education (aged 18 to 45).
• 80% of women's groups reported no formal dues system or financial training, and profits are shared among members after purchasing and processing ore bought from concession owners.
• 60% of women rely on informal savings systems, which often result in loss of savings.
• 50% of women have limited access to formal finance, impeding their ability to expand operations.
• 70% of women's groups face insecurity and harassment by regulatory authorities.

Sources:

Ghana News Agency, 06 September 2025.