Gov’t Committed To Resolving Asanko, Tontokrom Dispute – Duker

…But Residents Insist, No Community Mining; No Vote

George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, has re-echoed government’s commitment to resolving the dispute between the chiefs and people of Tontokrom in the Amansie South District and Asanko Gold Ghana.

He stated that, it will be one of the legacies of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government in the mining sector.

The stand-off between the community and the company over the exploitation of gold resources in the area is well documented, with one person losing his life this year, following clashes between irate youth of the community and security personnel on duty at the company.

Following a series of meetings held at the Ministry, Mr Duker on Wednesday, embarked on a working visit to the area, to have face-to-face interactions with the company and community leaders as part of efforts to bring finality to the protracted matter impeding the success of the company and development in the township.

Mr Duker, first made a stopover at the office of Asanko Gold Ghana Company, where he acquainted himself with the issues from the company’s perspective and proposed some steps the company must take to improve their relationship with the community.

The Deputy Minister re-emphasized the need for a harmonious relationship between the company and the community, stating that unity is the principal ingredient for mutual success for both the company and the community.

Responding to a request by the company for an immediate resolution of the deadlock, he stated that the government, through the Ministry, has been engaging the community to allow the company to operate without conflict and will continue to activate the necessary dialogue and security measures to bring finality to the matter.

He said, while the community has a responsibility to allow the company to operate in a violence-free environment conducive to their success, it is also imperative that the company, is transparent, engaging, and accountable to the communities.

He appealed to the company to take steps to build trust with the community by being open and accountable to them and executing life-changing CSR projects in the area.

“It’s very critical and important for companies and the communities around these mining companies to co-exist because you cannot, in any way, operate in isolation. It is, therefore, very important to wear kid gloves to have a win-win situation. Just recently, as the VP of Asanko alluded to, Goldfields built a $60 million stadium for the people of Tarkwa because of the cordial relationship between them and the community”.

They have also constructed about a 30-kilometer stretch of road for their mine.

In terms of corporate social responsibilities, I will say they are doing their best. How do they do this? And how have they been able to sit with the people? I think we should synergize and learn from each other, irrespective of what we have, in terms of strategy in dealing with communities.

“So once the media is here, I will also use their medium to appeal to the communities to find a way of peacefully sitting down with the various mining companies. There must be that understanding that you are not just here to take our gold away as they perceive you.

“So it’s not a matter of just mining and taking the gold as being speculated out there. The perception is that the companies just take the gold and leave, and that is not true. They pay their royalties. All the tax components are paid. And we also commit them to do corporate social responsibilities. And if we give them that peace of mind, they will be able to do these projects to support their communities,” he said.

Dr Charles Amoah, Executive Vice President of Asanko Gold Ghana, commended the Deputy Minister for the assurance and indicated the willingness of the company, to dialogue with the community elders to settle the matter.

He also thanked him for promising to work on the company’s request to have the Bank of Ghana grant them special dispensation for the importation of some equipment that will aid their operations.

Mr Duker, later visited Tontokrom,  where he engaged the chiefs and elders at a durbar in the town.

He stated that the Ministry, would give strong consideration to the request for a Community Mining Scheme by the residents.

No Community Mining; No Vote

Meanwhiles, a tumultuous crowd of enthusiastic and irate youth of Manso Tontokrom welcomed the Deputy Minister to the community with a resounding message of “No Community, No Vote”.

This was after the Deputy Minister, visited the community as part of measures by his Ministry to address the longstanding impasse between the community and Asanko Gold Ltd.

But his visit took a dramatic turn, as the placard-wielding youth chanted “No Community Mining, No Vote” as they press home their demand for a Community Mining Scheme (CMS) in the area.

The youth, in their agitations stated that the only condition under which they will allow Asanko Gold undertake mining activities in their area and also vote for the governing New Patriotic Party in the 2024 elections, is if a CMS concession is established in the area before the December 7 poll.

Addressing chief, elders and the youth of the community at a durbar, Mr Duker, took notice of their concerns and expressed that a meeting would be convened as soon possible to ensure that the demand of the community is met.

He stated that, the Ministry and Minerals Commission, will engage management of Asanko Gold for them to cede part of their concession for the CMS, which is a sustainable mining scheme validated by the World Bank.

The Deputy Minister, however, urged that while the stakeholders work on granting the request of the community, the Chiefs and elders, must also call the youth to order and ensure that peace prevail in the area.

He condemned the clashes that resulted in the death of one person and urged the community members to commit to dialogue, as the most effective means of resolving the situation.

He stated that the Akufo-Addo government, has demonstrated commitment to the small-scale mining sector and that a future NPP government spearheaded by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will continue to enhance the industry to ensure that Ghanaian giants are raised in the sector.

On his part, the MP for Amansie South Constituency, Frimpong Yaw Addo, noted that the arrival of a Community Mining Scheme will significantly reduce unemployment rate among the youth population in the area.

He advised the youth to trust the government to address their concerns and refrain from acts of violence.

The Chief of the area, appealed to the government to grant the wishes of his people urgently and that the youth in the area, will be highly appreciative of the government should that happen.