Newmont’s Response: Arrest of Aggrieved Farmers in Ahafo Linked to Alleged Unlawful Disruption of Operations
Newmont Africa has denied conniving with the police to arrest some farmers at its Ahafo operation for protecting their farm properties from destruction to pave way for mining.
The farmers numbering four, are among some 21 farmers belonging to the Concerned Farmers Association who have refused to abide by the outcome of the negotiations and subsequently declined enumeration of their farms and structures.
Four civil society organisations (CSOs) have condemned Newmont Ghana over the alleged destruction of farms and the subsequent detention of some farmers at its Ahafo operation in the Bono Region.
The CSOs are the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, Center for Public Interest Law, the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) and A Rocha Ghana.
“In a separate incident, John Mensah led some Association members to attack Newmont’s mining team during a land-clearing exercise on a parcel of land that had been negotiated and compensated for by the company.
“This time, the company’s vehicle was vandalized during the attack, prompting the company to report the incident to the police. The members were arrested and arraigned before the Duayaw Nkwanta circuit court on 30 August, 2023.”
“The court granted them bail and directed them not to return to the company’s mining area until the determination of the case by the court. The Association members ignored the court’s directive and proceeded
to disrupt work at the mining area the very next day, 1 September, 2023, leading to the arrest of four of them, including John Mensah,” the statement said.
Below is the full statement:
Source: Asaaseradio.com