Mining Companies urged to provide alternative employment for the youth

Obuasi (Ash), Aug. 21, GNA - Ms. Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, has urged mining companies to provide alternative sources of employment for the youth in areas where they are operating.

She said it was important they provided people who had lost their lands to mining with alternative livelihood support programmes, to enable them earn some income and by so doing, give the companies peace to carry on with their operations.

Ms Ayittey was addressing the management of Anglogold Ashanti, chiefs and people of Sanso at a durbar held in her honour at Sanso, a mining community near Obuasi.

She had earlier inspected the tailings dam and seepage collection points of the mine located close to the community. The Minister, accompanied by directors from her Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was to assess the extent to which the company has been observing good environmental practices and the impact of its operations on the people.

She said her Ministry was collaborating with other agencies to raise the compensation paid to people who lose their crops and lands to mining and to also enforce strict adherence to safe environmental practices. She urged the management of Anglogold to decommission its dams to avoid water pollution and land degradation.

Nana Bawuah Fiamoh Kotokuo, Chief of Sanso complained about the destruction of the environment, and health hazards faced by the people as a result of the operations of the company.

Their houses had developed cracks due to the heavy machinery and explosives used to blast the rocks. The huge waste pile could also lead to a land slide, should there be a heavy downpour, in the area. Nana Kotokuo appealed to the management of Anglogold to tar the two kilometre Sanso-Obuasi-Kumasi road.

Mr. Benjamin Annan, Assembly member, spoke of the need to ensure that a committee set up to mediate between the community and the company worked, so that there would be peace and harmony in the area. The Minister also visited Dokyiwa another mining community.