Solidaridad, a Civil Society Organization, has began a three-year community initiative project to engage inhabitants within the area it operates to ensure a better relationship with mines and artisanal operators.

Interacting with media and community leaders at Ekorso, in the Atiwa District of the Eastern Region, Mr Yaw Britwum Opoku, Programme Manager of Solidaridad, said the project aims at building the capacity of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) and residents of the communities.

He said the project dubbed: “Partnering for better livelihoods in the gold supply chain,” also seeks to ensure that midscale mines operate responsibly and in line with international expectations.

“We are also to ensure that community members in the mining communities where Solidaridad is working have increased awareness and access to health care, economic opportunities and lessons learned from the projects are communicated to stakeholders," Mr Opoku said.

He assured the community of Solidaridad’s commitment to ensure the safety of the residents.

Abusuapanin Baffour Frempong Tenkorang, Chief of Ekorso, called on

Solidaridad to help construct a clinic and a three classroom block for the Junior High School of the area.

Abusuapanin Tenkorang said the current structure being used by the school was built in 1965 and has not seen any rehabilitation saying "the classroom blocks now looks like a forest."

The Project is being finance by the Catier Charitable Foundation (CCF) to improve the livelihood of ASM and communities around mining sites.

Solidaridad is an international Civil Society Organization with more than 45 years of global experience in facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and profitable supply chain.