Rise In Gruesome Murderers And Gun Shootings In Mining Communities Alarming  - WACAM

President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo has been asked to break his silence on the recent rise in gruesome killings/murderers, gun shootings, the beating of innocent Ghanaians and destruction of livelihoods of people in the mining prone communities in the country.

The Wacam, a premier community based human rights and environmental mining advocacy working in 57 mining communities in Ghana made the foregoing call and described the issues as alarming which requires the attention of the president.

The Associate Director of Wacam, Mrs Hannah Owusu-Koranteng asserted that if not addressed, the recent rise in gruesome killings, gun shootings in the country would affect the diplomatic efforts of the President abroad.

“I sincerely hope President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recognizes that there is an alarming spate of gruesome killings/murderers, gun shootings, beating of innocent Ghanaians and destruction of livelihoods insecurity, violent crimes all over our mining communities present the singular most potent threat undermining all his recent diplomatic efforts abroad to attract investors."

Mr Owusu-Koranteng made the observation on Wednesday, September 8, 2021—the third day of Wacam’s three-day 6th Annual Conference—in a presentation on “Wacam’s Advocacy Model” at the GNAT Village in Ejisu Abankro near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The 6th annual conference, which coincides with Wacam’s 23rd anniversary, is on the theme: “Celebrating Wacam’s Mining Advocacy Achievements: The Role of Mining Communities.” 

Monday’s activities which included women and youth conference, and elections of new leaders for Wacam women and youth groups brought together various community groups.

Wacam is a premier community based human rights and environmental mining advocacy NGO in Ghana with a community-based focus. 

Formed in 1998, Wacam has worked to respond to the social, environmental and economic problems that had resulted from the increased mining investment of the third gold rush. 

The NGO work is focused on community mobilisation, organisation and rights-based education for empowerment, at the local, national, sub-regional and international levels to influence practices changes.

With a modest beginning of work in eight communities in one region, Wacam is now working in over ninety mining-affected communities in Ghana. Wacam has worked to share its experiences with CSOs, community groups and intellectuals worldwide. 

With Wacam’s work; mining companies are now accountable for some environmental problems. This was evident in the case of the GH₵ 7 million fine imposed on Newmont for the cyanide spill in which Wacam’s activists at the national and in Kenyasi documented evidence and submitted it to the Committee of Enquiries set up by the Ministry of Environment to investigate the spillage. 

Wacam supported media investigations and reports which influenced public opinion on cyanide spillage.

A female activist from Teberebie and others from Obuasi gathered evidence on faulty tailings storage facilities that led to the Environmental Protection Agency closing down the facilities of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem mine and the Sulphur Treatment Plant of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine.

Wacam has also supported other affected community people in litigating and dialogue processes which have resulted in these marginalised people receiving fair and adequate compensation after they had suffered various human rights abuses at the hands of multinational and local mining companies.

Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu