The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Thursday launched a 200-page book "The State of Human Rights in Mining Communities" on underlying reasons for increasing human rights violations in such communities.
Mr Richard Quayson, Deputy Commissioner, CHRAJ, who presented the finding at a stakeholder's forum in Accra, said investigations for its compilation started in 2006 in 41 mining communities to find lasting solutions to the problem of abuse of the rights of people either engaged in or living in mining communities.
The investigations also sought to protect the rights and fundamental freedoms of people affected by mining operations across the country, the rights to livelihood, safe environment and the nation's rights to development.
Mr. Quayson said investigations also assessed the human rights situation in mining communities, examined the extent of pollution and degradation as well as promoting cordial relations between mining companies and communities.
Areas covered by the book include health; safety and security; compensation and resettlement; livelihood and employment; artesian and small-scale mining; royalties; environment and water resources.
Mr Joe Ghartey, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who launched the book noted the various law reforms to ensure that mining companies and communities lived in harmony and benefited equally.
"See today's event as a watershed to mark a significant change and development in the mining sector," he said.