Ahafonews Research Desk has come across information which needs to be attended to urgently. If what we have found is true, then our leaders
Ahafonews Research Desk has come across information which needs to be attended to urgently.
If what we have found is true, then our leaders are doing a big disservice to our communities for their selfish gains.
For most international organisations, corporate social responsibility is of utmost importance. The needs of local communities and their challenges must be attended to where they are deemed to arise as a result of the activities of corporate bodies.
The Ahafo Mines operated by Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL) should provide commensurate benefits to the surrounding communities. It is however sad to know that, some residents in the respective towns affected by the mining activities are discontent with the activities of Newmont.
It is percieved by locals that, Newmont is getting away with murder. They allegedly have many opinion and political leaders in their pockets. These compromised leaders have thus failed to confront Newmont in the interest of local communities.
The high rate of unemployment in these communities is a sign that leadership has failed in these mining communities. Local CSOs feel that, the people are being given a raw deal. The lack of a seemingly serious framework for the long term Development of the human resource base and infrastructure is a major source of worry.
The level of corporate social responsibility practised by Newmont in Australia is completely different from their practices in Ahafo. This disparity is glaringly clear if you look at their activities in Ahafo. For example the value of their Scholarship Scheme beggars belief and it is an affront to Corporate Social Responsibility. For a company of such global stature, their efforts are embarrassing to say the least.
The lack of opportunity for Ahafo indigenes at Senior Management level and the absence of a graduate training program are few examples of the extent of marginalisation affecting indegenes of Ahafo.
Our cocoa farms have been destroyed, our water bodies have been polluted. What have gained? According to one elder who wanted anonymous.
The heaps of granite resulting from mining has impacted significantly on the local Flora and fauna biodiversity with locals complaining of poor rainfall relative to the past.
If there were to be any interest in developing our communities, our roads would have been first class roads using the high quality granite which is heaped in large quantities going to waste in the words of one young man by name Yaw Asamoah.
To crown it all, very active civil society organisations in the Ahafo enclave have officially accused NGGL of using brutality and intimidation to cower disgruntled youth who have in the past shown their misgivings towards Newmont Gold Gh LTD.
The cso’s have also appealed to the IGP and state authorities to carry out investigations in relation to the use of police officers hired by NGGL to intimidate some community members.
The CSOs according to a letter sighted have also accused Newmont, state officials and opinion leaders of failing to release a report investigating the sacking of local community members who were staff of a contractor company working for Newmont under controversial circumstances.
Ahafo news is reporting based on information given and cannot be held responsible for the views expressed by local community members and local CSOs. We still trying to get in touch with NGGL for their version on these alleged brutalities against local communities.
Source: Ahafonews
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