Statement: NGOs challenge Opuni-Frimpong on Newmont claim

We are compelled to comment on the media publication that Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong lauded Ahafo Mine of the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited for being a responsible mining company in Ghana when a delegation of Inter-Faith based group made up of representatives of the Catholic Church and other denominations around the world visited the Newmont Ahafo mine recently.

The media reports quoted Rev. Opuni-Frimpong as saying that, “ You see that, you feel that , in all the documents , in the conversation, you engage the community and its like these people are pursuing responsible mining; I witnessed that.”

Another member of the group, Dr Anna Falkenberg who is the Executive Director of the Socially Responsible Investment Coalition (SRIC) was reported to have commended the Newmont Ahafo mine for high standards attained for its cyanide and tailings management.

In our opinion, the statements by Rev. Opuni-Frimpong and some members of the Faith-based group which glorifies the operations of the Newmont Ahafo Mine after a short guided tour of the mine does not reflect the reality of the degree of environmental degradation, the economic and physical displacement of community people with its related poverty , the payment of paltry compensation to farmers , the pollution of rivers , the creation of rockwaste , human rights abuses, disposal of faecal matter into the rivers of communities among others which have been associated with the company’s operations.

It is unfortunate that the delegation from the Christian Council became unfortunate victims of the Public Relations strategy and propaganda of Newmont Ahafo Mine. We respectfully request the Christian Council of Ghana to have an independent assessment of the social, environmental, economic effects and the human rights violations associated with the operations of Newmont Ahafo mine from all stakeholders especially the mining communities and NGOs.

It would be helpful to recall that when Newmont Ahafo Mine spilled cyanide into Community Rivers in October 2009, the company made frantic efforts to cover up the spillage which is a serious environmental crime that attracted a punitive fine of about $5 million imposed on the company by the government of Ghana. Some communities in Kenyase have taken legal action against Newmont Ahafo Mine on allegations of diverting its sewage into Community Rivers, which serve as their drinking water with serious health implications on the people.

There is a litany of social, environmental and economic problems associated with the operations of Newmont Ahafo mine which we are prepared to share with the Christian Council of Ghana to support the fact that Newmont Ahafo mine cannot pass the test of a responsible mine. There are many people in Ahafo area who have been physically and economically displaced by the Newmont Ahafo mine and paid compensation that cannot restore their livelihoods. These poor farmers who have lost their indigenous lands and have their rivers polluted are seeking a strong voice of the Christian Council of Ghana to speak for them.

In the spirit of the biblical quotation that “ The Lord judges in favour of the oppressed and gives them their right”(Psalm 103.6), we are hopeful that you would provide us the opportunity to engage with your outfit in understanding the mining issues from the perspectives of the affected mining communities and NGOs.

SIGNED

1.Hannah Owusu-Koranteng (Mrs) for Wacam - 0276965748

2. Augustine Niber for Center for Public Interest Law(CEPIL)- 0244613254

3. James Kwabena Bomfeh(Jnr) for Youth for Action Ghana-0244535472

4.Samuel Obiri for Centre for Environmental Impact Assessment(CEIA)-0244708322

5.Richard Ellimah for Centre for Social Impact Service(CeSIS)-0244514559