Residents of Techire and Afrisipakrom, two farming communities in the Tano North Municipality, say they are enduring fear, neglect, and displacement as Newmont Ghana’s Ahafo North gold mining project expands through their lands.
Newmont’s Ahafo North project is one of Ghana’s largest and most promising gold deposits in West Africa, projected to produce between 275,000 and 325,000 ounces annually over a 13-year mine life.
At a press briefing in Techire, community leaders accused the mining giant of proceeding with operations without adequate compensation, resettlement, or safety measures, leaving dozens of households vulnerable to pollution and structural damage from regular blasting activities.
“Our homes are cracking, our crops are dying, and our children live in fear each time explosives go off,” said Gausu Mohammed, a resident. “We’ve written petitions and held meetings, but our cries fall on deaf ears.”
Calls for Government and Global Intervention
The affected residents are appealing to the government, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and international human rights organizations to intervene.
They allege that the project has compromised their safety and livelihoods, with many families yet to receive fair compensation or relocation despite losing farmlands and ancestral homes to the mine’s expansion.
Community members say they are preparing to embark on a series of peaceful demonstrations to draw global attention to their plight.
“We are not against development,” said Adjin-Frimpong, another resident, “but we deserve dignity, fairness, and the right to live in safety.”
A Growing Rift Over Mining Justice
The situation in Techire and Afrisipakrom highlights ongoing tensions between multinational mining firms and local communities across Tano North Municipality, where resource extraction often clashes with land rights and environmental protection.
Experts have long warned that unresolved grievances over compensation, pollution, and displacement can fuel deep social unrest – even in regions that depend heavily on mining revenues.
Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer, continues to attract billions of dollars in mining investments. But critics argue that the social cost of extraction is rising, particularly in rural areas where regulatory oversight and corporate accountability remain weak.
Newmont Declines to Comment
JoyNews reached out to Newmont Ghana and Tano North Municipal Chief Executive, Pius Opoku, for their response to the allegations. Both parties declined to comment.
For the people of Techire and Afrisipakrom, the silence adds to their sense of abandonment. As bulldozers carve through their once-thriving farmlands, many say the gold beneath their feet has brought little but hardship.
“We’ve been left behind,” Robert Yeboah, an elder, lamented. “They take our land and leave us without proper compensation and resettlement.”
While the company has stated in past releases that it follows international standards on resettlement and community engagement, residents say their lived experiences tell a different story.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
