Locals empowered to spearhead community mining projects

Nine local representatives from the catchment communities of Newmont Golden Ridge (Akyem), have been empowered to serve as a link between the company, community and the Liaison Group, to assist in addressing environmental, social and other issues relating to their communities.

The body, bearing the name, Local Liaison Group (LLG), has a mandate to assist in the monitoring of community project to be financed with the 0.3% extra ‘royalty’ from the mining company.

They also have additional responsibility to assist in the review of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documentation (public hearing, provision of relevant information among many others).

The LLG membership comprises: Birim North District Assembly, Afosu, New Abirim, Old Abirem, Yayaaso, Adausina, Hweakwae, Mamanso and Ntronang.

The group is yet to meet to elect their executives after their inauguration on Monday, October 20, 2014, by the Liaison Group, a joint body made up of regulatory institutions comprising the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Forestry Commission (FC) and Forest Services Division.

Others include the Minerals Commission; Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; Inspectorate Division, Minerals Commission; Ghana Chamber of Mines; Water Resources Commission and Relevant District Assembly.

The Liaison Group was formed to monitor the activities of companies mining in productive forest reserve following a recommendation by the Environmental Guidelines for Mining in Productive Forest Reserves in Ghana (May 2001).

It is the second time the Liaison Group has formed such a local body under its ambitious project to assist it to ensure compliance in production forest reserve, with the first being in Chirano in the Sefwi Wiawso area.

Chairman of the Liaison Group and Head of the Mining Department of EPA, Mr. Ransford Sekyi, in an interview with The Chronicle last Thursday, said the motive for the formation of the LLG was to involve communities within the catchment areas of companies mining in forest reserve to be part in decision making.

“They will be at the forefront to receive any information that relates to the environment, social or any other issue, get in touch with the Liaison Group in Accra and then we will come and investigate and find a solution to any challenge that they have”, he noted.

He said the group, prior to their inauguration, were taken through the rudiments of mining, environmental and social issues in a day’s workshop to build on their capacities to perform their given task.

Notwithstanding the above, Mr. Sekyi said the Liaison Group intends to meet and interact with their local folks on quarterly basis to continuously upgrade their knowledge on issues pertaining to their newly assigned roles.

“This is to ensure that they understand the mechanisms of mining and the environment”, he argued.

He said his outfit would work out strategies, funding and education to ensure that the laudable concept is sustained.

According to him, the Liaison Group, having satisfied themselves with the outcome of the local concept and upon advice from its superiors, would extend the concept to the off reserve mining areas like Obuasi, Tarkwa and Prestea.

“That will bridge the communication gap that exists between the catchment areas, the company and the regulatory bodies”, he added.