Racist Newmont staff recalled

Accra, Aug. 10, GNA -- The Security Manager at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Ahafo Project at Kenyasi, whose name some workers gave as Harry, a white South African, has been sent out of the country for making derogatory racist remarks about a local employee.

The Chiefs of Kenyasi Number One; Kenyasi Number Two; Gyedu; Ntotroso and Wamahiniso were among traditional authorities that met the Management of the Company to register their aversion to the racist utterances of Harry.

Mr Stephen Baffoe, Principal Communications Director of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Mine at Ahafo in the Brong Ahafo Region, on Thursday confirmed the recall of the expatriate staff to its Denver Office in the United States to answer questions on a recent altercation with one of the miners.

"The recall is part of the Mine's internal investigative process aimed at ensuring a peaceful industrial atmosphere for the maximization of human, financial and material resources," he said. Mr Baffoe, who said it was inappropriate to come out with the name of the officer, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on telephone that Newmont emphasised respect for the local communities and cultures in which it operated.

=93In line with this, the Company together with local traditional leaders had initiated an investigation into allegations that a member of the Management team used inappropriate and culturally insensitive language and inappropriate behaviour in dealing with traditional leaders and with certain Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd (NGGL) employees." He explained that to make the investigation as transparent as possible, chiefs in the areas of operation had been added to the panel of investigation.

Mr Baffoe said Mr Kwame Saarah-Mensah, a former Minister of State in the PNDC regime, now a private consultant and Mr Mireku Gyimah, Principal of the Tarkwa School of Mines, have been co-opted to the panel.

He said at the same time, Newmont required its employees to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Company's values at work and in the community and to treat all other employees and community members with respect.

"As a Company, we value our positive relationship with the community. Both Newmont and the traditional authorities realise that there need to be better mechanisms in place to deal with such incidents. We are actively working together to develop a better method of resolving grievances and conflicts in the future," Mr Baffoe said Meanwhile, the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) has condemned the behaviour of Harry.

The Executive Director of WACAM, Daniel Owusu Koranteng told the Ghana News Agency that 93we would not tolerate any insults from the Company or its assigns. They cannot come and take our gold and treat us as nothing.=94 10 Aug. 06