Residents of Akango, Salman and Nkroful in the Western Region have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the revocation of the mining lease of Adamus Resources, warning that the decision could have significant economic and social consequences for communities around the mine.
The residents are also challenging the decision by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to uphold the revocation after a ministerial review of the company’s petition.
The Minister announced his decision during a working visit to the Adamus Mine at Salman, following the submission of a report by a Ministerial Review Committee established to examine concerns raised by the mining company.
According to the Minister, the committee considered the issues raised by Adamus Resources but largely affirmed the breaches identified in the initial assessment that led to the revocation of the lease.
He said the findings provided sufficient grounds for him to uphold the original decision to revoke the company’s mining lease.
Residents demand clarity
The decision has sparked concern among residents in communities within the mine’s operational area, who say Adamus Resources has been an important part of the local economy for several years.
They argue that the company’s operations have supported employment, local businesses and other economic activities, both directly and indirectly.
The residents are therefore demanding greater clarity on the specific breaches cited against the company and the reasons those breaches warranted the revocation of its lease.
“We want to know what exactly the company did to deserve this decision. If there were breaches, the people deserve to know the details and what measures were taken to address them,” some residents said.
While acknowledging government’s responsibility to enforce Ghana’s mining laws and protect the country’s mineral resources, the residents said decisions affecting major investments should be transparent and take into account their wider implications for host communities.
Concerns over allegations
Adamus Resources has previously faced allegations of involvement in illegal mining, although the company has repeatedly denied the allegations.
The residents said if the revocation was based on breaches of the law, government should clearly communicate the nature of those breaches and the findings that informed the final decision.
Some residents also raised concerns about what they described as a lack of clarity surrounding the Minister’s decision.
A section of the residents alleged that the Minister could be acting in his personal interest, although they provided no evidence to substantiate the allegation.
They nevertheless called on the Minister and relevant government institutions to handle the matter transparently and strictly in accordance with the law.
Fear of job losses
The residents are particularly concerned about the potential impact of the lease revocation on employment and businesses in the affected communities.
They said the mine has created economic opportunities for residents, while several businesses and service providers have developed around activities associated with the mining operation.
They fear that prolonged uncertainty over the future of the mine could worsen economic difficulties in the area and affect livelihoods.
The residents are therefore urging the government to consider the potential social and economic consequences of the decision before taking further action.
Appeal to President Mahama
The residents have called on President Mahama to intervene and explore a solution that protects the interests of the host communities while safeguarding Ghana’s broader economic and investment interests.
They argued that the handling of the Adamus case could also have implications for investor confidence in Ghana’s mining sector.
According to them, foreign investors could become concerned if major mining investments have their licences revoked without sufficient explanation or assurances about the security of legitimate investments.
The residents want government to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law, accountability and the protection of legitimate investments, while ensuring that mining companies comply fully with Ghana’s laws and regulations.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
