AKYEM KOTOKU CHIEFS SUPPORT NEWMOUNT (PAGE 20)

THE chiefs and people of Akyem Kotoku, where Newmont, a multi-national gold mining company, is prospecting for minerals, have hailed the approval for the company to operate in the area.
According to them, the company’s investment in the area would improve the living conditions of the people in the affected communities.
They have, therefore, condemned a Tarkwa-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Wassa Communities Against Mining (WACAM), for campaigning to stop Newmont from operating in the area.
These were contained in a communiqué signed by 173 persons, made up of chiefs, assembly members, opinion leaders and farmers in the various communities which was addressed to the United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
Some of the signatories were Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu, the Eastern Regional representative on the Council of State who represented the Akyem Kotoku paramountcy, Nana Akwasi Amoh Kyeretwie I, the chief of Abirem, Nana Kwadwo Amoh II, Afosuhene, Nana Korankye Ababio of Adausena, Nana Asiedu Akora II, Ntronanghene and Nana Twum Barima I, of New Abirem.
Others were Messrs Solomon Yeboah, Samuel Osei Gyekye, Stephen Acheampong, Collins Anarfi Dompreh, all of the Birim North District Assembly, Mr Ibrahim Osman and Edward Tamon, representatives of the Birim North Youth Association, Mr Ismaila A. Bala, representing Village and Town Committees and Messrs Akwasi Ofori-Amamfo and Francis Hodogbe, representing farmers.
According to the signatories, Newmont had satisfied all the requirements for it to operate, and that the living conditions of the people in the operational area would be tremendously improved if the company starts its operations.
“If Newmont, which has satisfied all the requirements for it to operate but has not yet commenced actual digging of the mineral, has already provided the communities with school buildings, improved water and sanitation, and takes steps to train the youth in various trades for them to improve their livelihood, then why should WACAM engage in such a propaganda to stop it from operating in the area?” the communiqué asked.
The communiqué further stated that Newmont’s activities in the area, coupled with the facilities it was providing, would within the next five or 10 years, transform the area into a municipality, and that the people were preparing themselves to make the best use of all business opportunities that would emerge.
“We in the affected communities are also preparing to make the best of all business opportunities expected to emerge, and even where WACAM and its coalition see as damage such as the pit likely to be filled with water after the mine closure, has been identified to be developed as lake for eco-tourism and fishing industry”, the communiqué stated.
“If WACAM is really interested in our welfare, why is that it has not bothered to meet us for us to know each other to address our concerns if any, but rather sat back to organise a campaign to stop Newmont from operating here,” the communiqué asked.
It, therefore, called on the UN Commissioner of Human Rights and all others related to the issue to ignore WACAM’s agitation since it had been calculated to draw back the clock of progress for the people in Newmont’s operational areas.