Between 2nd and 3rd July, in Kinshasa, Acquire by Pin Africa hosted a two-day workshop for journalists from 13 newsrooms and 5 civil society organisations on “Constraining Opportunities for Corruption in the African Green Minerals Sector.” This event is crucial in fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in the vital cobalt mining sector.
Participants came from across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sharing insights and strategies to promote transparency and accountability in the mining sector. Workshops were a key part of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)’s four-country intervention, utilising data aggregation, civic technology, and journalism capacity building to expose corruption and promote ethical governance practices through their Just Energy Transition (JET) Minerals Project. This ambitious initiative focuses on Nigeria, Ghana, DRC, and Mozambique, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in the green minerals value chain—a crucial necessity for the region’s sustainable development.
Uniting Voices for Change
The sessions were led by Professor Obul Okwess, a lecturer at Kinshasa’s leading Journalism and Communication Faculty, IFASIC. He was accompanied by expert guest, Mr. Jean-Claude Katende, an ardent defender of human rights. Mr. Katende has been a long-time advocate for transparency and good governance of the extractive industries in his capacities as National Coordinator of the PWYP Coalition Democratic Republic of Congo and President of the African Association of Human Rights (ASADHO).
The Power of Journalism and Civil Society
Professor Okwess kicked off the workshop with a compelling call for journalists and civil society to acknowledge their social responsibilities. “Just like the civil society, journalists have a responsibility. A social responsibility that may be at three levels. First, a responsibility to be able to talk about what people want to hear about this sector, the extractive industries, because it is a topical issue, but it is also a question that concerns the life of the population,” he highlighted.
During the discussions, it was highlighted that journalists must actively engage with communities, gathering firsthand information to hold authorities accountable. This grassroots approach is key to ensuring that the management of mining resources aligns with public interest.
Cobalt Mining in the DRC
The DRC is home to some of the largest cobalt reserves in the world, producing over 70% of the global supply. This mineral is crucial for the production of batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. The demand for cobalt has surged with the rise of technology and renewable energy solutions, making it an invaluable resource in the modern world. However, the cobalt mining industry in the DRC faces significant challenges that need to be addressed to create a more sustainable and ethical supply chain:
- Child Labor: An estimated 40,000 children work in cobalt mines, often under hazardous conditions. These children are deprived of education and basic safety measures, which puts their health and future at risk (Amnesty International, 2016).
- Environmental Impact: Mining activities contribute to soil degradation, water contamination, and deforestation, severely affecting local ecosystems. The extraction processes release toxic substances into the environment, posing a threat to both wildlife and human communities (The Guardian, 2017).
- Economic Disparities: Despite the mineral wealth, the local population sees minimal benefits. The vast majority of profits from the cobalt mining industry go to foreign companies and local elites, leaving the general population in poverty. Infrastructure and social services in mining regions remain underdeveloped, highlighting the stark economic inequalities (BBC News, 2018).
Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from governments, corporations, and international organisations to implement stricter regulations, invest in local communities, and promote ethical sourcing practices. By doing so, the DRC can better harness its natural resources for the benefit of its people and the global community.
Engaging with Communities
The interactive sessions emphasised the need for journalists to engage directly with communities affected by mining activities. “During the first session, I noted that journalists have more responsibility to go to the community. We think it is very important, as journalists, to have all this knowledge,” stated journalist, Daniel Makasi
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Towards Effective Policy Making
Knowledge is a powerful tool, especially for advocacy and transparency. “Simply because it will allow us to follow the letter, isn’t it? The way in which the public authorities are managing the mining resource.” The insights gathered from such engagements can influence policy-making, ensuring that public authorities manage resources more transparently.
A notable activity discussed was data gathering—an essential tool for fostering informed discussions and enabling thoughtful policymaking. With accurate data, both journalists and civil society can effectively participate in dialogues about the public authorities’ handling of mining resources.
Activities to Foster Transparency
The discussions covered various activities proposed to drive transparency, accountability, and good governance in the green mineral sector. A significant part of these activities is data gathering. “We need to know the data for us to be able to have a point of conversation.”
As the next phase of the program unfolds, the trained journalists will produce stories in their respective formats to illuminate, examine, or promote dialogue on the cobalt mining sector in the DRC. These stories are expected to bring to light various aspects of the mining sector, fostering public understanding and engagement.
A round-up
This workshop proves the vital role of journalists and civil society in fostering transparency in the extractive industries. The continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing sessions like these are crucial as CJID’s project progresses across Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, and DRC. Together, we’re making strides towards a more transparent and accountable future for Africa’s green minerals.
Watch the participants’ perspectives and reflections.
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