Confusion at EPA’s engagement with Newmont and mining community
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited clash with residents in the community engagement at Afrisipakrom in the Tano North Municipality over a moratorium on its concessions.
Joana Somiah 
Confusion broke out between Newmont Ghana Gold Limited and aggrieved residents within its Ahafo North Mine catchment areas at a community engagement, held at Afrisipakrom in the Tano North Municipality.
The visibly angry residents, drawn from Adrobaa, Techire, Yamfo, Susuanso, and Afrisipakrom challenged the Company’s declaration of a moratorium on its concessions in the area.
Tempers were, however, flared, as the Company and the residents could not understand each other on portions of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995 in the presence of some armed Police personnel.
Consequently, the community engagement aimed at addressing pressing issues relating to operations of the Mine in the area, nearly ended abruptly, as both parties could not build consensus.
The angry residents over the last few weeks have been in a brouhaha with mining giants over some mining consignment and their inability to compensate them duly.
They blamed the Environmental Protection Agency and some government bodies for contributing to their problems with Newmont.
The grievances led to the residents some weeks ago block the ways of staff of the company making it difficult to return home after work, a situation that but for the immediate intervention of security agencies would have led to a serious crash.
Nana Ama Asiedu, Bono Region
