Mining Community Farmers Receives Gh¢3.00 Per Crop Destroyed by GNPC
Research carried out by Wacam shows that the initial engagements by the agents of GNPC with the affected communities in Atebubu-Amantin, Nkoranza South and North Districts where there is ongoing onshore oil do not meet the minimum standards of the EPIC protocols.
Joana Somiah 
A report on onshore petroleum exploration conducted on "Responsible Mining Forum of WACAM" stakeholders' engagement in Accra has revealed that farmers within mining enclave receive as low as GH¢2 and GH¢ 3.00 as compensation for each crop destroyed by the agents of the Ghana National Petroleum Commission(GNPC).
The situation was described by the Associate Executive Director,(WACAM), Mrs Hannah Owusu- Koranteng as unfortunate and a flout on the right to proper livelihood of farmers within the farming communities.
This was made known on Wednesday, September 30, 2021, at a Wacam's stakeholder meeting which brought together researchers from academia, professionals, NGOs, regulators amongst others to profess the best way to engage in responsible mining.
Addressing the media, she revealed that one major issue which became topical at the 6th National Conference was the absence of the cosmetic community participation in the processes of seeking consent or what is professionally described as Social License(SL) in the event of mining Oil and Gas.
"...it is in this spirit that communities who attended the 6th National Conference of WACAM developed a strong message to policymakers that "Nothing About Us Without Us". In simple terms, the mining communities and areas of possible Oil and Gas exploration are sending a strong message that they expect the government to respect the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in engaging with them," Mrs Owusu-Koranteng noted in a speech.
She indicated, "research carried out by Wacam shows that the initial engagements by the agents of GNPC with the affected communities in Atebubu-Amantin, Nkoranza South and North Districts where there is on-going onshore oil do not meet the minimum standards of the EPIC protocols", she further added.
She underscored the need to get the foundation right as the nation will undoubtedly reap conflicts, human rights abuses, environmental pollution, social and cultural disintegration associated mining operations, adding, "We should avoid this trajectory associated with gold mining and oil exploration."
She said similar mistakes have been made with respect to gold mining in the quest to attract mining investors to exploit the country's natural wealth adding that it is not late to change the narrative by placing human beings especially citizens who will be affected by the wrong decisions taken at the centre of developmental options to reduce their suffering.
"We need as a country to begin the implementation of the EPIC principle in the new areas of mining operations especially communities that are likely to face the brunt of on-shore oil production", she observed.
Mrs Owusu-Koranteng reiterated that much as her outfit is calling for the respect of human rights, they are not oblivious about the right that must be accorded nature as well.
In that regard, she appealed to the leaders to return Ghana to the point where she won accolades as the pacesetter in Independence and respect for human rights in championing responsible development within the sub-region.
"We must send the right signals that it is possible to have sustainable development where communities and vulnerable will not be used as collateral damage to subsidise the greed of foreign businesses at the expense of our country," she cried foul.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent
