Accra, March 15, GNA - Seven farmers have petitioned the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) against what they describ= ed as harassment and non-compliance with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Akyem Project. The Farmers claimed that Newmont entered their farms without any notice to them to cut down their crops including cocoa trees; oil palm an= d citrus. The petition, which was copied to the Ghana News Agency, requested CHRAJ to conduct in depth investigations to ascertain the extent of the abuse of their economic and human rights.

The Farmers said Newmont on 19th January 2010 posted Police sentrie= s on the footpaths to their farms to prevent them from going to their own farms without first entering into negotiations with them contrary to the Minerals and Mining Law of Ghana.

The Farmers, who said they were members of Wacam, a human rights and=

mining advocacy nongovernmental organisation, indicated that it was only after they had protested that Newmont withdrew the Police sentries.

The Farmers said Article 20 of the 1992 Constitution "provides to th= e effect that no citizen of this country should be deprived of his property= , irrespective of the magnitude of it, without being paid fair and adequate=

compensation promptly. More importantly the compensation should have been=

negotiated between the lawful occupier or landlord on the one hand and th= e mining company on the other hand". They said according to the National Land Policy of the country citizens could not be made landless adding that the Policy also prohibite= d mining in forest reserves.

They said the Manifesto of the ruling National Democratic Congress has also outlawed mining in forest reserves "on account of which the good peo= ple of Ghana is on contract with same to protect our forest reserves". Mr Kwabena Frimpong of Adausina alleges that Newmont has forcefull= y established its camp on about four hectares of his family land at Yayaso without paying any compensation and all attempts to get the Company to negotiate has failed. Opanyin Kwabena Abroh of Adausina said Newmont had reneged on an agreement he reached with the Company to pay him GH¢ 15,000 (fifteen thousand Ghana Cedis) to allow it to build rain and wind gauges station about three years ago on his land. He said the Company has up to date not=

paid the amount even though it was occupying the land.

Mr S.K. Ntiamoah and Yaw Mosi, both of Adausina said Newmont has destroyed their 60 cocoa trees and 40 cidrella trees without paying them any compensation.

Madam Abena Serwaa and Kofi Sae of Hweakwae said Newmont has destroyed 30 of their cocoa trees, while Mr Bismark Kyei Asiedu of Adausi= na said Newmont has destroyed 20 of his cocoa trees without paying him any compensation. Mr Yaw Bafo of Hweakwae said Newmont has destroyed 15 of his oil pa= lm trees and 10 fruit bearing pineapples, while Lucy Asabea, also of Hweakwa= e had six of her orange bearing trees destroyed by Newmont without paying h= er any compensation.