Obuasi Communities demand compensation from AngloGold Ashanti

Lands, Forestry and Natural Resources Ministry is set to begin discussions over compensation for two communities in the Obuasi municipality.

Sanso and Anyinam were affected by mining activities of AngloGold Ashanti.

Residents in the two communities are also unhappy about AngloGold's decision to stop paying for the electricity and water consumed by the two communities due to the company's operational decline.

Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng who is pushing for the compensation told Joy News, the operations of AngloGold have made the communities poorer because they lost their farm lands and water bodies to the company.

"We are asking for a comprehensive compensation plan be prepared and implemented for the two communities.

"The people are jobless. They were traditionally farmers. Some of them did small scale mining. AGA said the entire Obuasi sits within its concession so it has taken mining to the doorstep of these communities.

"So the legitimate small scale mining is impossible. Their farmlands have been taken so they cannot farm.

"...There is a need for a more comprehensive compensation arrangement for these residents," he stated.

Kwaku Kwarteng warned of rising tension in the municipality if the lands and natural resources ministry delays in starting the process.

Meanwhile the Lands, Forestry and Natural Ministry say they will convene a meeting with all the interest parties to resolve the issue of compensation in early January.