Stakeholders advocate for better compensation package for affected mining communities

 


At a public forum aimed at safeguarding citizens' property rights, stakeholders in mining have called for reforms in the country's mandatory land acquisition laws to prevent unjust deprivation of rights for affected communities.


They also highlighted the importance of the government adopting Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) in the national mining policy to guarantee fair and adequate compensation for original landowners.


The forum focused on FPIC as a principle that acknowledges the right of indigenous peoples to approve or reject any actions that may impact their lands, territories, or rights.


This principle, stakeholders acknowledged promotes grassroots involvement and consultation prior to any development or resource use on ancestral lands within indigenous territories


Base on these alarming problems, A Rocha Ghana, an environmental non-profit, along with the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) and other partners, organized a  forum on the theme: "Rethinking Compulsory Land Acquisition and FPIC in the Extractive Sector: Ensuring Equity, Environmental Sustainability and Inclusive Development.”


The event brought together traditional leaders, community opinion leaders from mining areas, civil society organizations focused on the environment, and various stakeholders in the extractive industry.


Notable speakers included Daryl Bosu, the Deputy National Director of A Rocha Ghana; Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, the Associate Executive Director of WACAM; Lawyer and Human Right Advocate Oliver Barker-Vormawor; and Dr. Tony Aubynn, the acting CEO of Petroleum Hub and a host of others.


Some of the key topics discussed included Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and issues related to resource allocation rights in the extractive sector, as well as an overview of Ghana's compulsory land acquisition policies and legal frameworks.


The discussions centered around Article 20 of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, which safeguards Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms. This article ensures that individuals cannot be deprived of their property without specific conditions being met and fair compensation being provided by the state.


The talks also referenced Section 2 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which allows the President to acquire land or permit its use if it is necessary for the development or utilization of mineral resources.



Mr. Daryl Bosu emphasized the urgent need for fair compensation for communities impacted by the government's compulsory land acquisition, as losing their land could have severe consequences for future generations.


He noted, "The long-term effects on communities involved in the extractive sector are significant. When land is taken, future generations lose their rights and cultural connections to that land."



A key concern raised at the forum was the anxiety among residents of Jomoro, located in the Western Nzema Traditional Area, about the potential loss of the area's ecological value due to a project covering 20,000 hectares.


Dr. Tony Aubynn pointed out that these ecological fears stem from insufficient engagement with the local population. "We must properly involve the community and reassure them that their environment will remain intact," he stated.


Ms. Owusu-Koranteng expressed concern over the compulsory acquisition of land in the mining sector through eminent domain, highlighting that this practice is not aligned with the country's legal framework. She remarked that the situation has escalated to a point where the state is "using coercive measures and manipulating individuals to take their land."




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