A delegation from Gower Street, UK, led by Co-Founder Sophie Marple, Trustee Florence Miller, and Co-Director Tessa Durham, visited Wacam’s operational communities in the Ahafo region from 3-5 February 2025. The visit aimed to assess the impact of Gower Street’s support for Wacam and other local civil society organisations in Ghana.
On February 4, 2025, the delegation visited Damso and Kenyasi, communities severely impacted by Newmont’s Ahafo South Mine operations.
In Damso, the delegation witnessed the devastating impact of Newmont’s activities, including widespread environmental degradation, pollution of water bodies, and destruction of sand resources.
The spokesperson for Damso, Father Moree Levi, expressed frustration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for denying them access to a Health Impact Assessment report commissioned in 2022.
“Despite this, we’ve been left to suffer the consequences of the mining activities without adequate support or compensation,” he said.
The delegation also visited the Newmont Tailings Dam and the Subri River, which has been dammed by the company, rendering it unsafe for consumption. This highlighted the significant environmental and health risks posed by the mining operations. Later that day, the delegation met with the Concerned Farmers Association (CFA) in Terchire, who shared their struggles with the state’s use of eminent domain power to acquire their lands for Newmont’s Ahafo North Mine.
The Secretary of the CFA, Joseph Yaw Adu, credited Wacam’s support for empowering them to protect their rights and properties.
“Wacam’s support has enabled us to confidently assert our rights and refuse informal engagements with Newmont,” he said.
On February 5, 2025, the delegation accompanied Wacam on visits to other partner organisations, including RAIN in Antwi-Agyeikrom and Adiembra in Western North, and Dreams Renewables in Ashanti.
The visit highlighted the importance of community-led initiatives and advocacy for environmental justice.
The Gower Street delegation expressed appreciation for Wacam’s work in the region and pledged to support its efforts to empower mining-affected communities.