About LMWG
Who we are
Lands and Mines Watch Ghana (LMWG) is a prominent civil society organisation and advocacy group focused on the sustainable management of Ghana's extractive and land sectors. We serve as a watchdog for transparency, local content participation, and the protection of national interests in mining and land administration.
We were founded to close the gap between policy promises and on-the-ground realities. Our work is independent: we are not aligned with political parties or mining firms — so communities and partners can trust our evidence and our advocacy for accountability.
To monitor mining governance and land-sector decisions, publish credible evidence, and advocate for transparency, sustainability, and accountability so mineral wealth and land policy serve all Ghanaians.
A Ghana where extractive and land decisions are open, communities are protected, indigenous participation is meaningful, and revenues are tracked from pit to public benefit.
What guides us
Four principles shape how we work with communities, media, and institutions.
We publish sources, methods, and limitations — not just conclusions.
Affected communities are experts in their own experience; we listen first.
No pay-to-play advocacy. Our credibility is our asset.
Claims are backed by documents, field notes, and verifiable references.
What we do
We promote indigenous Ghanaian participation in the mining value chain — including championing transparent lease transitions such as the Damang Mine, to safeguard jobs and keep economic benefit within the national economy.
We monitor the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission so that mining leases and licences are granted through transparent, competitive processes.
We support the Land Bank and Digitalization Project as tools to reduce land litigation and streamline lawful land access for investors and citizens.
Through our Technical and Operations Director and partners, we provide analysis of mining contracts and the GoldBod Act (Act 1140), aiming to ensure policy changes benefit host communities and the public interest.
People
Under the leadership of Kwame Owusu Danso, with technical and operational leadership from Oheneba Kwadwo Boachie, LMWG positions itself as a defender of indigenous participation and accountable governance in Ghana's extractive sector.
Executive Director, Lands and Mines Watch
Kwame Owusu Danso (Elijah Kwame Owusu Danso) is a prominent Ghanaian private legal practitioner, social activist, and the Executive Director of Lands and Mines Watch. He gained widespread political prominence when he served as the vice-presidential running mate to independent candidate Alan Kyerematen under the Movement for Change (M4C) alliance.
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Deputy Executive Director
Nii Kwartei Kojo Owoo is a lawyer admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Ghana and professionally qualified through the Solicitors qualification pathway in England and Wales. He is the Managing Partner of Africa Law Focus PRUC, where he leads the firm’s practice in mining, energy, and natural resource law, advising investors, mining companies, and project developers on the legal and regulatory framework governing resource development in Ghana and across Africa. His work focuses on mineral rights, mining leases, regulatory compliance, project structuring, and resource-based financing. With over a decade of prior experience in the banking sector, he brings strong insight into project finance, investment structuring, and risk management in the extractive industries. Mr. Owoo holds a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from the University of Ghana, an LL.B. (Hons) from the University of London, and an LL.M. from the University of South Wales (UK). He also holds a Barrister-at-Law (BL) certificate from the Ghana School of Law and certification in Managing Risk in Project Finance from the Ghana Banking College.
View profileIn the news
In the first half of 2026, LMWG issued multiple press statements on high-stakes mining transitions and legislative reforms. Highlights include:
LMWG commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for a decisive, transparent approach to the Damang Mine lease expiry. We recommended credible local entities for the transition — including Engineers & Planners (E&P) as a strong candidate — to align with local content goals, protect jobs, and keep mining returns in Ghana. We urged the Ministry to sustain transparency through the final award and guard against backroom deals.
We defended the Ghana Gold Board Act (Act 1140), characterising much of the opposition as political theatre. We supported licensing indigenous aggregators such as Bawa Rock Limited under the scheme, arguing that formalising gold trading improves traceability and helps address smuggling and revenue leakage.
Through press engagements we have backed the Land Bank and Digitalization Project as essential to resolving multiple sales, land-guard activity, and related barriers to lawful investment.
Selected coverage
External reporting on LMWG positions — opens in a new tab.
How we operate
LMWG is governed by its leadership and advisory structures, with clear policies on conflicts of interest and funding transparency. We publish high-level information about our governance approach on request and in our annual reporting where applicable.
The organisation answers to its mandate: credible monitoring and public interest advocacy — not to industry sponsors or partisan agendas.
Strategic direction sits with accountable leadership and advisory input, with documented roles and decision pathways.
Conflicts of interest and funding sources are managed through explicit policies and disclosure where it serves the public interest.
We align governance disclosures with annual reporting and stakeholder expectations, prioritising clarity over jargon.
Partners & stakeholders
Institutions and networks we engage in pursuit of transparent, accountable mining governance.
Get Involved
Whether you are a researcher, journalist, community leader, or concerned citizen — there is a role for you in holding Ghana's mining sector accountable.
