Ewoyaa Lithium Project: Affected residents threaten legal action over compensation delays

Residents of the Mfantseman Municipality in the Central Region affected by the Ewoyaa lithium project have threatened to take legal action against Atlantic Lithium Mining over alleged damage to their properties and prolonged delays in compensation.

The affected residents are demanding immediate and fair compensation for millions of cedis worth of property damage, as well as payment for time lost as a result of halted construction activities.

According to the group, compensation is urgently needed to enable them to repay outstanding loans and ease the severe financial strain they are currently facing. They disclosed that since December 4, 2023, personal construction projects in communities including Abonko, Krofu, Ewoyaa, Kulem, and Krampakrom have come to a complete standstill due to the company’s mining operations.

Addressing the media at a press conference, the Secretary of the Concerned Ewoyaa Lithium Affected People, Mr Frank Acquah, said the residents have been left with no option but to protest against Atlantic Lithium Mining.

“If we are not compensated after our repeated appeals and our planned demonstration, we will return to our sites and resume work but we will still demand compensation for the time lost and for the damage to our properties,” he said.

Mr Acquah appealed to the Parliament of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama, legal practitioners, traditional authorities, religious bodies, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to intervene urgently to ensure compensation is paid to affected residents in the municipality.

“We, the affected people, cannot wait for parliamentary ratification due to the difficult situation caused by the Ewoyaa Lithium Project,” he stated.

“We need fair and adequate compensation paid immediately because our structures and materials on site have been damaged. Our lives have been placed on indefinite hold,” he added.

He explained that for more than two years, Atlantic Lithium Mining has prevented residents from continuing their development projects without offering any compensation.

“We have been blocked from continuing our projects and are now living in rented accommodations. We are struggling to service loans taken to fund these projects. Those of us who are farmers are also suffering because the company has banned cash crops, creating further hardship,” Mr Acquah said.

He noted that the situation has resulted in severe financial hardship, emotional distress, fear, frustration, and deep uncertainty among affected residents.

“What is even more painful is that we have not been given any clear timeline or official communication regarding when compensation will be paid. We have been left completely in the dark, and our patience is wearing thin,” he stated.

Mr Acquah confirmed that the group has written formally to Atlantic Lithium Mining on several occasions, but no action has been taken to address their demands for compensation.