Participants at a validation workshop held in Sunyani on human rights infractions in Ahafo have urged the government to push Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) to address human rights violations in its operational areas.
The participants, who included chiefs, queen mothers and representatives of regulatory institutions and security agencies from the Ahafo Region, demanded that the company takes responsibility for protecting the rights of the people affected by its operations in Ahafo North and Akyem areas.
The workshop, which focused on human rights violations in mining communities within Newmont Ahafo and Akyem projects areas, was organised by the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) in collaboration with Wacam and Media Foundation in West Africa (MFWA), with funding from Oxfam in Ghana, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
It aimed at addressing systemic human rights violations and promoting corporate accountability in the Ahafo North and Akyem projects’ areas of Newmont.
The participants lamented the escalating human rights abuses in Newmont’s two operational areas, warning that the situation could worsen if left unaddressed. They cited specific abuses, including inadequate and delayed compensation payments, suppression of protests, land grabbing, restriction and silencing of community members, complicity of local leaders, and gender-based violence, among others.
According to the participants, it was imperative that Newmont takes concrete steps to address the human rights violations linked to its projects.
In a welcome address, the Associate Executive Director of Wacam, Mrs. Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, sounded a warning that Ghana’s mineral wealth could become a liability if not harnessed responsibly.
She voiced apprehension over the rampant human rights abuses and environmental hazards in mining communities, underscoring the necessity of fortifying mining legislation to ensure the country maximises the benefits of mining.
According to her, robust laws will facilitate harmonious coexistence between the mining firms and communities, enabling them to collaborate seamlessly.
While recognising the contribution of mining to Ghana’s economic growth, Mrs. Owusu-Koranteng advocated swift action to tackle the escalating human rights violations with the mining industry.
Dr. Samuel Obiri, a researcher on ‘Assessing Environmental and Human Rights Effects of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Ahafo and Akyem Projects,’ presented key findings from his draft report. The study exposed pervasive human rights violations, dwindling community participation, and insufficient compensation for affected communities within Newmont’s operational zones.
He revealed that many affected people in the areas suffered adverse effects from Newmont’s land acquisition methods.
Dr. Obiri that in the Akyem area, most respondents reported being informed by company officials or local leaders that their land contained gold deposits and that the government had granted mining permits.
“About 80 respondents in Newmont Ahafo North stated that their lands were seized through compulsory acquisition after they rejected compensation offers,” Dr. Obiri noted.
The researcher also found that Newmont’s mining activities in Ahafo and Akyem have stifled community engagement, leaving respondents feeling restricted. Delays in compensation payments, Dr. Obiri said, violated residents’ fundamental rights, causing widespread frustration. The report highlighted these delays as a blatant disregard for Article 20 (2a) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which stresses timely compensation.