The Attack On Our Heritage Must Stop--CPP
The Convention People's Party is outraged by the lack of political will to ensure that the exploitation of our mineral resources benefits the citizens of Ghana, and the failure to protect our environment and our heritage for sustainable development not only in the Ellembelle District of the Nzema area but also throughout the country. The current tension between community groups and a mining firm called Adamus Resources is something the Party views as an attack on our heritage.
Nkroful, the birth place of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's Founder and First President is part of our national heritage and government has the responsibility to protect and preserve the historical heritage of Nkroful and the Nzema people.
The CPP position is that under no circumstance should Nkroful be obliterated in a private quest to exploit the mineral resources of the area. It is the party's view that with the right investment and the tourism potential of the area, the nation and the local people will benefit far more than mining with its negative impact on the environment and our heritage can deliver.
We wish to indicate an unflinching support to community dwellers in Teleku Bokazo and Nkroful, the youth group - 'Youth and Concern', who have demonstrated their unwavering fight against the attempt by Adamus Resources to virtually obliterate Nkoful.
Despite the claims about resettlement and monetary compensation by Adamus to some members of the two close communities, the Party strongly opposes attempts at ignoring the development of the human and material capacity of the state to own and manage the mineral resources in the Nzema area for the full benefit of the Ghanaian people.
The Party wishes to publicly bring to the attention of the Government that Article (2) and (4)of the Minerals & Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) must necessarily be invoked immediately for the state to compulsory acquire all of Nkroful Land as a first step towards designating Nkroful as a national heritage site.
The CPP wishes to draw the attention of Government and state institutions to Adamus' threat to our heritage and pleads that Government reconsiders operational expansion of Adamus Resources as it will lead to the destruction of the historical town of Nkroful.
The unrest between the community in Nkroful and Adamus Resources highlights the crucial challenge we face as a nation in controlling and managing our natural resources for the benefit of our communities.
Nii Armah Akomfrah
CPP Director of Communication
www.conventionpeoplesparty.org