Mining firms violating human rights -- WACAM

Mining companies in the country are violating the rights of residents in mining areas, and are not paying the commensurate compensation to those affected by their activities, said Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining.

“Many people who have lost their property, especially land to mining concessions, are either not paid any money or receive little compensation.’’

Mrs. Hannah Owusu Koranteng, an environmental scientist and Associate Executive Director of Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), made the remarks at a three-day workshop on mining and community rights in Tema.

Mrs. Koranteng blamed the situation on “weak regulations and laws that have triggered a gold rush, with different nationals trooping into Ghana to have their share of the wealth at the expense of the indigenous people of the mining areas.”

She said though the Minerals and Mining Act calls for negotiated compensation for loss of land and the destruction of crops and immovable property, this is not adhered to.

Mrs. Koranteng said the Act fails to take into consideration human rights violations in mining communities, and also does not make provisions for environment issues.

“The law is silent on cyanide spillage and chemical pollutions of our water-bodies, which are very dangerous to the health of our people,” she said.

Mrs. Koranteng observed that there is no clear demarcation between areas of active mining and water-bodies, and protected areas termed “no-go-areas” of the country.

She said the distance between settlements and mining concessions ought to be defined -- adding that poor environmental impact assessment could make farmers in mining communities migrate to the cities in search of jobs.

 Mr. Boakye-Dankwa Boadi, Communications and Advocacy Director of WACAM, charged journalists to ensure their reportage aims to promote the well-being of underprivileged and vulnerable people in the country.