Asunafo North people dissatisfied with proposed mining activities

Goaso (B/A) Jan. 27, GNA - The people of Asunafo North Municipality, have protested against plans by Keengan Company Limited, a mining group in Kumasi, to mine gold in the area. The communities to be affected by such activity included Fianko Nfama, Subriso, Gyasikrom, Drobakrom, Kwamekrobo and Fokuokrom. A petition to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Abubakar Bonsu, signed by 10 opinion leaders from the area, said any mining activity would affect cocoa farming which was the main occupation of the people.

Nana Awuah, Akyeamehene of Fianko, told the GNA that "it will be suicidal for our cocoa farms to be destroyed through mining activities as our entire livelihood depends on the farms".

A farmer from the area, who remained anonymous, appealed to the government to take steps to prevent the planned mining activity that could result in the destruction of cocoa farms.

Mr. Kyei Baffour, Public Relations Officer of Keengan, told GNA that officials of the company and the MCE had already "explained things" to the people.

He said the company was only engaging in exploration activities in the municipality and that "We don't have funds now as our investor partners have withdrawn from the exploration. We can't do mining now because we don't have the mining licence". 27 Jan. 09