Newmont’s cash causes confusion

GH¢3.15million meant to compensate communities affected by the cyanide spillage into the Yaakye stream that served as a source of drinking water to communities in the area is yet to be utilised since 2012 when the money was released.

The Newmont Ghana Ahafo Mine that caused the spillage had to pay compensation to the affected communities after the incident took place in October, 2009.

The Asutifi North Assembly and traditional authorities of the affected towns -- Kenyasi No. 1 & 2 and Ntotroso in in the Brong Ahafo Region -- have for the past two years been litigating over the type of project to use the money for. As a result of this protracted litigation, the money has not been put to any use.

The community members want the money to be used to upgrade a Health Centre at Kenyasi No. 1 to the status of a district hospital while the Assembly is proposing the construction of a market centre and a lorry park, a decision that has been kicked against by the people because they think the hospital will serve them far better than a market and a lorry station.

According to them, existing market centres in the district have become white-elephants; therefore, it is pointless to build an additional one.

The Traditional Authorities had earlier requested for an amicable settlement of the matter, which the parties agreed to. However, after months of deliberations they have failed to reach a consensus.

The money is a fraction of the GH¢7million penalty Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) was made to pay for spilling cyanide into a stream. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) then received GH¢2.8 million out of the amount while the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission took GH¢1.05million.

Addressing a news conference in Sunyani, Abdallah Salifu, a community leader, said the growing population of the

Asutifi North District as a result of the mining activities calls for the establishment of a district hospital to meet their healthcare needs.

According to him, the only nearby resourceful health facility in the area, St. Elizabeth Hospital at Hwidiem, is over-stretched, hence the need for a new hospital.

They have, therefore, appealed to government to as a matter of urgency prevent the District Assembly from using the money for construction of a market centre and lorry park as planned.

By Edward Adjei Frimpong | B&FT Online | Ghana