Cross-session participants of community engagement meeting
at Baomahun Court Barray
A groundbreaking community engagement meeting was held in the mining community of Baomahun, Sierra Leone, on October 10, 2025, where FG Gold (a Gold Project that is set to be Sierra Leone’s first large scale commercial gold mine), and local stakeholders gathered to discuss several community concerns arising from the company’s mining activities and its alleged treatment of locals. Over 800 community members from the Valunia Chiefdom, attended this historic and highly spirited gathering, facilitated by the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN).
The meeting provided a first of its kind safe platform for community members to express their grievances and engage in open dialogue with FG Gold representatives. Community members expressed grievances, citing limited employment opportunities for locals, contamination of community water sources, destruction of roads by FG Gold’s heavy-duty trucks which impedes
pupils’ safe access to school, and limited access to project benefits, leaving the community feeling marginalized.
“Our drinking wells once quenched our thirst, now they poison our lives”
Community Advocate, Valunia Chiefdom
The meeting was attended by several key stakeholders including traditional authorities, landholding families, miners, government officials, women, faith-based organizations, the media, and representatives of FG Gold. The concerns highlighted by community members underscores the need for FG Gold to prioritize community development and ensure that its operations benefit the local population. According to many of the speakers, the company’s activities have had a significant negative impact on the community, and it is essential that they take steps to mitigate these negative effects and maximize the benefits for the community.
“We don’t reject investors. We reject injustice.”
Landholding family, Valunia Chiefdom
In response to these concerns, Ms Evelyn Gyanfihassan the community representative manager for FG Gold committed to strengthening its engagement with the community and ensuring that its operations benefit the local population. The company acknowledged the importance of transparency and accountability in its operations and committed to working closely with the community to address their concerns.
The meeting’s objectives included facilitating open and constructive dialogue, identifying key human rights and development concerns, and encouraging local ownership and participation in monitoring corporate commitments. According to AFJN Executive Director Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers, the meeting “was designed to provide a platform for community members to engage with FG Gold representatives and ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed” .
“Our gold should not just shine in the markets abroad; it should shine in our
schools, our hospitals, and in the eyes of our children.”
Women’s Leader, Valunia Chiefdom
Key outcomes of the meeting included the recommendation for a formation of a Joint Community-Company Dialogue Committee to monitor commitments and mediate grievances, and the development of a Community Action Plan to outline community priorities and responsibilities. The Committee will provide a platform for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the community and FG Gold, ensuring that the company’s operations are aligned with community needs and expectations.
AFJN’s commitment to providing technical support and serving as a convener has created a platform for sustainable development and cooperation between FG Gold and the local community. The organization’s involvement has helped to build trust and confidence between the parties, creating an environment conducive to constructive dialogue and collaboration.
“They call us unskilled, but no one was born knowing
how to mine. Give us a chance to learn.”
Youth Leader, Baomahun Town
Across Africa, large-scale mining operations often leave local communities empty-handed due to shady deals between governments and investors. These communities frequently lose their land, livelihoods, and homes, only to face unemployment and broken promises. Weak governance and lack of accountability enable corporations to shirk their responsibilities. AFJN has long championed the rights of such communities, amplifying their voices and demanding accountability. The recent meeting with FG Gold marks a crucial step towards addressing human rights and development concerns in the Baomahun community. AFJN looks forward to collaborating with FG Gold and the community to forge a future where mining benefits are shared equitably, bringing dignity and hope to all stakeholders.