Mining companies told to be socially responsible

Mining companies have been asked to be socially responsible to help remove the tension that often tend to characterize the relations between them and the local communities.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Commander, said it was important for the companies to properly engage the people to minimize friction.

He made the call when he toured the Amansie West District, an area rich in gold deposits, to assess the security situation.

The visit comes on the heels of recent confrontation between the youth of Manso-Nkran and security officers, which resulted in the loss of one life.

The people, angered at what they alleged was cheating by Asanko Mining Company, a gold mining firm operating in the area, took to the streets and clashed with a team of police and military personnel, who were there to maintain law and order.

DCOP Boakye addressing a joint meeting held at Manso-Nkwanta with small-scale mine operators in the district, he reminded them to contribute to the development of the host communities.

He said it was in their own interest to make sure that they maintained healthy relations with the local people and operated strictly within the confines of the mining regulations.

Mr. Alex Kwame Bonsu, the District Chief Executive (DCE), expressed concern about the massive invasion by illegal miners with the associated rise in the crime rate and called for strong police presence.

The inaccessible nature of the district had also not been helpful to the crime fight, he said, adding that, the bad roads were making it easier for criminals to escape from justice.

The miners called for intensification of police patrols and security checks to deal with the crime upsurge.