Newmont to create 2.5 kilometres long and 0.9 kilometre wide pit - WACAM

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Akyem Project will create a 2.5 kilometres long; 0.9 kilometres wide and 0.5 kilometres deep pit in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve and thereby destroy the ecology of the area.

This was contained in a release issued by WACAM, a nongovernmental human rights and mining advocacy organisation, in response to matters raised at a press conference organised by Birim North Umbrella Youth Association (BNUYA) on 27 October 2009 at Adausena. The release signed by Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, Executive Director of WACAM, said the leaders of BNUYA failed to recognise that the Ajenua Bepo was an important national and international asset that should be protected for posterity.

It said: "Article 41k of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that 'it is the duty of every citizen to protect and safeguard the environment.' In performing our constitutional duty of protecting and safeguarding the environment, WACAM does not need permission from the Leaders of BNUYA to talk about the destruction of Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve by Newmont Akyem Project. We wish to state that we would not submit our constitutional rights to the dictates of mining corporate giants and their surrogate groups." WACAM said: "It is disingenuous of BNUYA to state that WACAM insulted the integrity of BNUYA only because of WACAM's campaign against mining in a forest reserve."

The release said many advocacy NGOs, Politicians, Respected Leaders of Faith Groups and enlightened Chiefs, who cared about the environment and the future of the country's forest reserves, have spoken against mining in forest reserves.

It mentioned specifically Mr Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who had stated an official position against mining in forest reserve and the Right Reverend Dr Aboagye Mensah, Immediate-Past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, who described mining in forest reserves as an act against God's creation. It said: "The Catholic Church considers the degradation of environment as a sin against God. We do not think that these highly respected citizens of Ghana and the organisations that they represent can be accused of insulting the integrity of the youth for speaking against mining in forest reserves." WACAM said BNUYA's action amounted "to campaigning for the destruction of the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve at a time when there is serious national and global concern about climate change and the protection of the environment".

The release said: It is important to inform BNUYA and people who think like them that the US Government would not permit Newmont to mine in protected areas in the US and it is unfortunate that the youth, who should be concerned about the protection of forest reserves for future generation are being used to campaign for the destruction of forest reserves" and appealed to BNUYA to think again. WACAM said: "BNUYA is the baby of Newmont Akyem Project and the leading members of BNUYA are closely associated with the Newmont Akyem Project. The claim of BNUYA that it is representing the youth in the area is, therefore, false." It said BNUYA represented a few people that had gained employment in companies that provided ancillary services to Newmont, adding that Bernard Owusu Boateng, who addressed the press conference, worked as a Security Officer of one of Newmont's contractors. 2 Nov. 09