Roadmap to Relocate Obuasi Artisanal Miners Initiated - ASMAN

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Dr. Tony Aubynn met with the Obuasi Artisanal Miners on May 26, 2016 in Obuasi, to acquaint himself with the current issues relative the complaint filed by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) at International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) on the encroachment of the Obuasi Artisanal Miners on AGA concessions. Present at the meeting were the General Secretary Mr. Godwin Amarh & the National P.R.O. Francis Opoku of the GNASSM; others are Hassan Al Bashir Alhassan and Wilson Zoogah of the Minerals Commission; Nii Adjetey-Kofi Mensah of Artisanal & Small Scale Mining Africa-Network (ASMAN) and Chairman Kumah Adams and Secretary Rufus Borry of the Obuasi Artisanal Miners, amongst others.

Dr. Aubynn was happy to meet the Obuasi Artisanal Miners for firsthand information on the issue. He emphasized that it takes both the large scale mining and small scale mining to develop the Obuasi economy and Ghana at large; therefore the current situation between both parties very worrying.

Dr. Aubynn told the artisanal miners to take advantage of the released 60 percent of the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) concessions and relocate. He also said, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly had also released a temporarily office space to facilitate the registration process.

Chairman Kumah Adams narrated how AGA broke the uttermost good faith that existed between them. He show with evidence (minutes of their meetings, ID cards that were issued to them by AGA and pictures of their collaboration) how they engage with AGA positively. He said on countless occasion AGA did not honor their word and always take undue advantage of them.

However he was grateful AGA has finally gave them a place but prayed that place is mineralized such that they would not be worse off if they relocate. He said they are ready to relocate but pleaded with the CEO of the Commission to put in mechanism that would make sure the right things are done to make way for their smooth relocation. Experience is best teacher and wisdom is profitable to direct, he said, their experience with AGA has taught them to demand documentation for any and everything that has to with their Association and any other organisation be it Government, NGO, individual or whoever, so therefore they would be glad if the Commission can expedite action on the demarcation process to enable them get all the relevant document on area that would be assign to them. He also made an appeal to AGA through the Commission CEO for them to facilitate their movement by provision of some basic amenities and facilities like grading the road leading to the site and cutting the overburden and if possible extend electricity from the town to the area that would be allocated to them. He warned that if time is not taken and movement to the new site is hasten, they are likely to have challenges. If possible it be done in phases in order not to disadvantage any of the interested party. They also appealed to the CEO to advise AGA to stop media publication that sort to criminalize the miners.

Godwin Amarh of GNASSM thanked Dr. Aubynn for the meeting, and pleaded that AGA should seriously consider the request of the miners, that is clearance of the over-burden at the new sites and grading of the muddy road leading to the site

Nii Adjetey-Kofi Mensah of ASMAN also thanked Dr. Aubynn for making time out of his busy schedule to listen to the miners’ side of the story. He advised the miners to try and put their story in a more organized manner for people to appreciate their side of the story.

Dr. Tony Aubynn in a closing remarks commended the miners for agreeing in principle to relocate, and appreciated the miners for keeping the records of their engagement with AGA. He then directed that a Committee of Stakeholders be formed, to draw and manage a roadmap for the smooth relocation of the artisanal miners to the new site. The Committee shall comprise representatives from the Mineral Commission, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), the Obuasi Artisanal Miners, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA).

(Source - Nii Adjetey-Kofi Mensah of ASMAN: 0208161636: niiadjeteykofi@gmail.com)