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| Stakeholders at the meeting |
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| Officials of Ibis in this photo |
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| Representative from the Chinese mining firm |
Narration: Members
of the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) in partnership with
Ibis, has initiated moves to resolve unhealthy confrontation between local and
foreign mining groups in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East
Region. An engagement forum to that effect has been organized at Tongo
involving key stakeholders and actors in the mining sector including chiefs and
representative of institutions and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) among
others. The purpose of the forum among
other interventions was tailored at providing possible remedies to mitigate the
impact of mining in the area and also deliberate on the way forward in ensuring
sustainable gains in the mining sector, taking into account the need for
harmonization between mining operators and communities that source their livelihood in the area
operation. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana.
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| President of NORPRA, Bismark Adongo Ayorogo in an interview |
The engagement forum was on the theme: “Achieving Sustainable Mining in Talensi And
Nabdam Districts without compromising the Interest of Key Actors in the Context
of the Minerals And Mining Act: The Role of key Stakeholders”. The
President of NORPRA, Bismark Adongo Ayorogo, in his opening address maintained
the position of his outfit’s determination to addressing pressing and emerging
issues pertaining to the district and the region in general. He said NORPRA will fight tooth and nail to
bring about peaceful co-existence between mining groups in the area and the
community where they operate. This notwithstanding brings to the fore the need
for compliance with regard to mining laws and regulations as enshrined in the Mineral
and Mining Act, 703 of 2006, stipulating ownership, royalties, requirements,
qualification and registration of prospective licenses among others mining
issues. Mr Adongo Ayorogo revealed that similar meetings had taken place
involving the security agency and expressed optimism that the process was bound
to succeed since outcome of such meetings attest to the level of commitment
exhibited by key stakeholders and actors. An official from the Minerals
Commission, Ernest Okyere took participants through the procedures entailed in
the operation of mining activities and what the mining laws requires of individuals
and groups. Speaking to Radio Ghana after the forum, Mr. Okyere said the
Minerals Commission is mandated by law to ensure sustainable and environmental
friendly mining in Ghana and would not leave any stone unturned to resolve all
unhealthy developments emanating from the sector, especially in the Talensi and
Nabdam area, where small scale miners are on loggerheads with their Chinese
mining groups raising red flags on the illegalities of their operations
resulting in unhealthy confrontations. The situation, he lamented leaves a
cause to worry and assured the people of their resolve to provide antidotes to
the problem. The Managing Director, Yenyeya Mining group,
a locally registered mining firm, Charles Ndanbon said his outfit will exhaust
all avenues for conflict resolutions and work together with the local
communities to achieve sustainable mining in the two districts. According to
him efforts are being made to reduce the environmental impact of mining and
appealed to the local communities to observe the available mining laws for
development. Representatives of the Talensi assembly including Shaanxi mining
company, a Chinese firm and Pobortaaba mining groups were there to contribute
to the forum.
END
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