Accra, April 6, GNA – The Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG) has paid a courtesy call on the office of the Attorney General in Accra to discuss a recent study conducted on Human Rights abuses in the mining industry.
Titled “Mining-Related Human Rights Abuses in Ghana,” the report was conducted by LEG and supported by Oxfam-Novib.
The meeting followed a letter of invitation from the Attorney General’s office to LEG to discuss the key findings of the report and explore possible avenues for action.
During the meeting, key issues raised in the report were discussed, particularly those involving severe human rights abuses linked to mining activities that demanded immediate attention.
The cases highlighted included Godfred Nongbezina Nabil, a 26-year-old former employee of Shannxi Mining Company Limited and resident of the Datuko community in the Upper East Region, who tragically lost his arm while on duty.
Madam Janet Brokye, a farmer from Akoti in the Western North Region, suffered serious injuries to her waist and buttocks after being struck by a stone propelled by the blasting operations of Asante Gold Mining (formerly Chirano Gold Mines).
The others involved the cases of Ohene Kwame, a resident of New Abirem, whose farm and structures were taken by Newmont Golden Ridge Limited without compensation, and Awudu Mohammed from Obuasi, who was shot by security personnel employed by AngloGold Ashanti.
The convening also deliberated on issues relative to environmental degradation and pollution caused by mining activities, particularly the destruction of water bodies, as documented in the report.
In addition, LEG presented a policy proposal on compensation and resettlement, which is being
developed with support from STAR-Ghana Foundation.
The proposal aims to address issues of compensation for farmers whose farms and properties may be affected by mining operations.
Ms Christiana Awoonor-Anderson, the State Attorney, who represented the Ministry, expressed gratitude to LEG for attending the meeting and emphasised the need for further collaboration.
She asked LEG to submit a formal policy proposal addressing both environmental degradation and human rights abuses in the mining sector.
She commended LEG for the comprehensive analysis and insights provided in the report, which highlighted critical human rights concerns in mining communities across Ghana.
LEG was represented by Mr Richard Adjei-Poku, the Executive Director, and Ms Peace Nyande programmes officer at LEG.
LEG is a research and advocacy not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation established in 2004 to promote environmental justice, sustainable livelihoods, minerals governance and community rights.
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