WACAM condemns neglect of people affected by cyanide spillage

Accra, Jan 31, GNA - The Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) has called on the Management of Wexford Ghana Limited, a mining company, to accept responsibility and to care for people of Kubekro, who were affected by a recent cyanide spillage.

A press statement signed by Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, Executive Director of WACAM, accused the Management of Wexford Ghana Limited of neglecting its responsibility towards the people, who had fallen sick as a result of drinking the poisoned water and eating poisoned fish.

The statement said instead of addressing the effects of the cyanide spillage on Kubekro and its surrounding villages, the Management of Wexford Ghana Limited had resorted to confuse the public that the cyanide spillage was contained and did not enter the environment.

WACAM expressed its "unhappiness that the regulatory agencies have left the people of Kubekro and its surrounding villages to their fate.

"We must recognise the vulnerability of our rural people and it is important for State institutions that have responsibility to protect the interest of marginalized people to do so with diligence to avoid the violation of community rights by powerful companies."

Meanwhile Nana Kobina Atttubra, Chief of Kubekro, said on camera to Ghana Television News Crew that some of his people had developed diarrhoea as result of drinking poisoned water and eating poisoned fish.