The Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Daffour, has said farmers in the New Abirem District who took to the streets to demonstrate against mining company, Newmont Ghana, have no case.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Ow0dXtiyEU2X4V9FZFlqhtJgp4tJIy3C”]The aggrieved farmers claim they were shortchanged in the payment of compensation package from Newmont Ghana which is mining on their farmlands.
But Mr. Kwakye Daffour says the valuation of their farmlands was done by an individual nominated by the farmers themselves.
He said it is therefore unfair that they are demanding more money, almost seven years after the contract.
“The reaction on the ground is that various groups have been formed within the catchment area, demanding all kinds of things which is outside their mandate; which is outside of what they were contracted to do. What case can they have when about one year was used to enumerate every crop and the communities have appointed Prof. Atiamah to undertake the evaluation? I do not think it is fair.”
He further chided the farmers for their conduct during the protest which left seven of the farmers injured.
“Demonstration is constitutional so if you want to do demonstration, fine. But to do your demonstration and extend the demonstration into their premises, even to the extent of stopping their staff from discharging their lawful duties is not acceptable. I do not think we can treat Newmont like that” he said.
The demonstration, which started around 6:00 am saw the farmers block roads leading to the mining site at Adeisona, as they burnt car tyres to prevent the workers from going to the site.
Some farmers were eventually injured when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them. They have since been treated and discharged.
Farmers were fairly compensated; they should allow the court to decide – Newmont
But Newmont Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to fully engage with farmers in New Abirem to address concerns over their compensation packages although it believes the farmers had already been fairly compensated.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, Senior Director of Communications and External Relations at Newmont, Ama Bawuah, called on farmers seeking new and additional land and crop compensation, to allow the legal process to run its course, following earlier mediation efforts.
“We all very committed to engaging with all stakeholders. It is part of Newmont’s core value to engage with our communities and honour all our obligations to stakeholders. We look forward to a peaceful and amicable resolution of this issue. Whatever the court system decides, Newmont will abide by the court ruling.”
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By: Marian Ansah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana