Farmers kick Against Newmont Akyem Mine

SOME farmers in Akyem in the Eastern Region have expressed deep reservation about the continuation of the Newmont Akyem mine in the region,saying it will destroy the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve, pollute water bodies and destroy their cultural heritage.

The farmers said the reserve of biodiversity was located at a high altitude and therefore, was important for inducing rainfall and supporting agricultural activities in the area.

“There is no doubt that the destruction of the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve will affect agriculture in the area,” the concerned farmers said in a petition addressed to the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology.

The petition, which was also copied to the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) representative in the country and the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),was signed and thumbprinted by 350 farmers.

The statement also stressed that Newmont itself had made it clear in its Environmental Impact Assessment that its mining activities would destroy many sites of cultural importance, especially cemeteries, including a royal cemetery in Yayawo and shrines.

“The Newmont Akyem project would lead to the loss of livelihoods for about 10,000 people, the destruction of cultural heritage.

These negative impacts have been stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment report of Newmont,” the concerned farmers stated.

The group said it contacted WACAM, which had consistently expressed its reservations about the destructive activities of mining, to speak against Newmont's activities in the area since the mining company had succeeded in inducing leaders in the community, including some youth and chiefs on their side.

It said the company paid between GH¢seven and GH¢eight to cocoa farmers affected by its Ahafo mine, through the same method, in the process rendering many of the farmers poor.

“Newmont is now applying the same strategy of Crop Compensation Committee to determine crop compensation rate for the farmers in the Akyem project, which the farmers have already resisted.

Already, the group had alleged that Newmont had proposed to pay GH¢5,300 for an acre of cocoa farm which would translate into about GH¢nine per cocoa tree, and condemned the system where the mining company paid compensation according to the number of cocoa trees on an area of land.

Cocoa farmers depend on their plants, as each lasts about 40 years. Presently, a cocoa tree can give a farmer about GH¢15 a year.

The concerned farmers called on the mining company to rather respond to queries by the UNHCR to be provided with the rationale behind developing a mine in the Ajenua Bepo forest reserve and desist from the unwarranted attacks on WACAM.

“We wish to express our unflinching support for WACAM as an incorruptible and patriotic organisation that has an enviable record of working to support the poor.”

In a related development, the Youth for Action Ghana (YfAG), a youth force for the advancement of environmental protection, has urged the Government to revoke the licence granted Newmont Akyem Project to mine in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve.

A release by James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, Executive Director of YfAG, signed last Friday said, “mining in Forest Reserves in Ghana constitute a crime against the youth of Ghana, who have a greater stake in the wealth of Ghana, and the future generation, who would bear the consequences of the destruction of Ghana's forests and biodiversity through irresponsible and unbeneficial mining operations led by foreign companies.

According to the GNA report,  “YfAG is aware of the ecologically strategic importance of the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve and Atiwa Forest Reserve and we insist that clearing the forest for mining activity will cause the nation an irreparable loss,” the release said.

YfAG said it shared the ideals of the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of Akyem Abuakwa, for protecting forest reserves from corporate greed and congratulated him for his consistent struggle to protect the environment and the creation of awareness about the harmful effects of mining activities.

YfAG said it found “it worrying that some Chiefs in Akyem Kotoku are supporting the intended Newmont Akyem Mine in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve, which according to Newmont's own documents would lead to the destruction of the livelihood of about 10,000 farmers and also destroy important heritage sites, including cemeteries.

“It is surprising that despite these serious negative effects of the Newmont Akyem Project, which would lead to the destruction of Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve, some Chiefs in Akyem Kotoku are vigorously campaigning for this destructive mining project of Newmont.

YfAG also expressed concern about the poor supervisory role and actions of state organs and regulatory bodies in recent years – “YfAG notes with deep worry the fact that important State institutions, including universities are under the strong influence of the mining companies.

YfAG said it was worried about the insensitivity of some Government agencies in matters relating to the welfare and development of mining communities and consequently demanded that: “Government takes immediate steps to review the existing mining laws which only protect the interest of mining companies and provides unjustifiable tax relief as well as high levels of profit repatriation to foreign mining firms.''

“Government takes immediate steps to halt all exploratory and mining projects in forest reserves in the country. “Government must immediately review the terms of investment agreements with mining firms; enforce environmental standards and ensure that the socio-economic interests of mining communities are protected,” the release said.

YfAG further called “on the Government to take steps to protect our forest reserves and other ecological monuments in the country, and urged religious bodies, trade unions, student bodies and other civil society organisations as well as the academia to join this national call to demand preservation of national, cultural and economic resources, which we owe as a duty to future generations to protect.

“We call on the Chiefs of Ghana to be circumspect and nationalistic in discussing our natural resources. They should appreciate the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) advocating a voice for community people.

“YfAG is prepared to organise to resist mining operations in Forest Reserves of Ghana,” the release said.