Ministry to soon create forum to review payment of
compensation
Bibiani (WR), June 5,
Ghanadot/GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of
Lands and Natural Resources, has said that the Ministry
would soon create a National forum where stakeholders would
deliberate on the appropriate compensation for farmers whose
crops are destroyed for mining activities and the provision
of social amenities.
He said, for instance the less than GHC10 being paid by
miners to cocoa farmers for each mature cocoa tree destroyed
was unfair and expressed optimism that a review would create
a congenial atmosphere for both stakeholders.
The Minister said these at separate meetings with the
management and staff of Chirano Gold Mine and the Central
African Gold Mine Companies, at Bibiani, when he toured the
area on Wednesday.
The Minister was accompanied by his Deputy, Mr. Henry Ford
Kamel, Mr. Ben Aryee, Executive Secretary of the Minerals
Commission and Mr. Paul Atigla, Director in-charge Mines,
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Mr. Amos Armah, Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai, District chief
Executive and other Chief Executives of the Ministry and the
Forestry Commission were also with him.
The visits formed part of the Minister’s tour of a number of
timber firms in Kumasi and mining agencies to drum home the
need for them to liaise harmoniously with communities in the
areas of their operations.
The need for the companies to fulfil their social
obligations and the proper reclaiming of land and forests
were on the agenda.
He said though the provision of amenities and the mining
activities were meant to benefit the people measures had to
be implemented to offset their negative impacts on the
people adding, “We do not have to tie ourselves to the Land
Valuation Board alone but deal with other stakeholders to
solve the problems.
The Minister, who paid a courtesy on Nana Nkoan Okodom II,
Chief of Bibiani, assured the agencies of the government’s
continued support and cooperation and expressed the hope
that their activities would not impact negatively on the
nation’s resources.
At Chirano, Mr John Seward, General Manager of the Gold
Mine, said the company’s production levels had been
improving significantly.
Mr. Yaw Boadi, General Manager of Central African Gold Mine,
briefed the Minister on their activities.
Mr Amos Armah, the DCE, said he had received complaints of
late payments of compensation and low employment of the
youth from the district and called on the companies to
review their policies to help reduce poverty.
GNA
