WACAM condemns Newmont

Accra, March 8, GNA - The Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) has condemned an attempt by Newmont Ghana Limited to take credit for the construction of a road from Kenyasi to Hwidiem, which was constructed by the Government.

A statement signed by the Executive Director of WACAM, Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng said a calendar which Newmont published and circulated widely listed the Kenyasi to Hwidiem road as one of the projects the Company had undertaken since it started operating in the area. "WACAM wishes to condemn this act as dishonest and deliberate attempt by Newmont to take credit for a road project that had been constructed by the Government of Ghana with the taxpayers' money and call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to add their voice to the condemnation of attempts by some mining companies to exaggerate the projects they have undertaken in mining communities."

District Chief Executive of Asutifi District, Mr Opoku Peprah told the GNA that he made a formal complaint to Newmont when he saw the misrepresentation in the calendar and the Company accepted liability and apologised in a letter they sent to him.

He said the Company promised to retrieve all the copies of the offending material.

WACAM is an advocacy nongovernmental organisation engaged in championing the cause of deprived communities, whose lands have been taken over by mining companies and thereby disrupting their livelihoods and plunging them further into abject poverty.