RJN–Ghana sets 2026 Agenda to strengthen natural resource governance
3rd March 2026
Members of the Resource Justice Network Ghana (RJN–Ghana) have held their national annual workshop in Accra to outline priority advocacy actions for 2026, with a focus on natural resource governance and expanding the share of oil revenues that benefits marginalised groups.
The meeting brought together network members to review the direction of RJN–Ghana’s campaigns and to validate a research report assessing Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) in the utilisation of Ghana’s Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA).
Discussions centred on extractive sector governance, equitable distribution of oil revenues, and the need to strengthen community participation and accountability systems. Participants also examined policy gaps in resource exploitation and benefit-sharing frameworks, with the aim of defining a clear country-level advocacy focus for the year ahead.
A key highlight of the workshop was the validation of the GESI–ABFA research report, which evaluates whether allocations from Ghana’s oil revenues adequately address gender equality and social inclusion concerns.
In his welcome address, Sam Danse, Executive Director of the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), thanked participants and outlined the objectives of the validation exercise. He explained that the research examines gaps in policy and practice relating to gender equality and social inclusion in the allocation and disbursement of the ABFA.
According to him, equity and inclusion must remain central to the management of natural resource revenues, particularly oil proceeds, if long-standing inequalities are to be addressed.
“GESI principles are central and should be used to benchmark and track disbursement allocations,” he noted, adding that the report offers a platform for RJN–Ghana members to push for greater accountability among Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and to advocate for the use of public funds in ways that promote gender and social protection inclusion.
He urged members to study the findings closely and incorporate the six policy recommendations into their advocacy work for 2026.
RJN–Ghana Coordinator, Benard Anaba, observed that despite Ghana’s resource wealth, poverty and inequality remain significant challenges. He attributed this to weak governance structures and limited integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations in revenue management.
He also raised concerns about environmental degradation caused by extractive activities, arguing that oil and mineral revenues have yet to sufficiently tackle social disparities in affected communities.
Anaba expressed optimism that the workshop would strengthen collaboration among network members and enhance advocacy for resource justice, greater community engagement, and improved accountability in the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
Contributing to the discussions, Dr Eben Anuwa-Amarh, Technical Advisor at the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has issued directives to reinforce the management, allocation and timely release of DACF resources.
He explained that the directives are aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and accountability in the disbursement process to ensure funds reach Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies without undue delays. The measures, he added, are designed to streamline administrative procedures and promote fair distribution in line with established guidelines.