Communities seek support against Newmont operation

Residents of Donkro-Nkwanta and surrounding communities in the Nkoranza South District have appealed to civil society organizations to support them stop attempts by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) to start operation in the area.

They said NGGL had finished exploration in some of the communities and intended to begin commercial mining, a move majority of the local people are strongly against.

The communities are Kyekyewere, Awuakrom, Yepemso, Donkro-Nkwanta, Kyeredeso and Salamkrom.

Though we have not signed any agreement, the mining company has already taken inventory of some farms that may be affected by the mining, Mr Edward Kuyiwe, a former assemblyman for Salamkorm said.

The residents made the appeal when Mrs Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, Associate Executive Director of WACAM, a human right non-governmental organization, visited the communities on Monday.

She was in the area to introduce to the people the project the NGO intended to undertake in the area.

Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II, Chief of Donkro-Nkwanta, said representatives from NGGL had held several meetings with the communities but the people strongly opposed the decision of the mining company.

Looking at how mining has created havoc in some mining communities, we will not allow similar situation to occur in our community, he said.

Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong said the local people were ignorant about the contract between NGGL and the government and that they were not in any position to allow the mining company to start operation and called for the support of NGOs and civil society organisations.

We know the consequences of mining and we will not follow money and destroy our environment because posterity will not spare us, Nana Kwabena Asante, Odikro of Salamkrom, said.

Mrs Owusu-Koranteng appealed to the communities to dialogue and channels their grievances through appropriate channels.

She said under the project being undertaken by the NGO, some mining communities, key stakeholders and media practitioners would be educated on mining and its related activities.