Ministry to create form on payment of compensation

Bibiani (W/R), June 4, GNA - The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is calling a national forum to seek appropriate compensation for farmers whose crops are destroyed by mining activities, the sector Minister, Alhaji Collins Dauda, has said.

Alhaji Dauda bemoaned the current payment of less than GH¢10 by the mines to cocoa farmers for each matured cocoa tree destroyed, saying it was unfair and expressed optimism that a review would create a congenial atmosphere for the benefactors and beneficiaries.

He made this point at separate meetings with management and staff of Chirano Gold mine and the Central African Gold mine Company at Bibiani when he visited the area on Wednesday.

The visit formed part of the Minister's tour of a number of timber and mining firms in the area to drum home the need for the companies to improve on their relationship with the communities.

Alhaji Dauda also paid a courtesy call on Nana Nkoan Okodom II, Chief of Bibiani and assured him of the continued support of state agencies in their efforts to derive the optimum benefit from the resources around them.

GNA