The meeting, which is held yearly, brings together relevant stakeholders to review crop rates used to pay compensation to farmers whose activities are impacted by the mine to reflect the prevailing market conditions.

The establishment of crop rates has become an industry practice where each year, a broad range of stakeholders meet to agree on compensations for affected farmers in line with the Compensation and Resettlement Regulation 2012 (LI 2175).

A statement from the Mine said the stakeholders negotiated for crop rates to be used for farm compensation throughout the year.A Senior Officer-Land Access of the Mine, Mr Bismark Yeboah in a presentation, explained the modalities used in calculating crop rates.

He encouraged all the stakeholders to be objective and fair during the negotiations “as we strive to reach agreeable rates that are fair and beneficial to all negotiating parties’’.Acting Senior Manager, Sustainability of the Mine, Mr Stephen Adjei said the Mine was committed to ensuring that the Mine pays fair compensation to any farmer impacted by the activities of the mine.

According to the Odikro of Badukrom Nana Kofi Guma Bio, the meeting proved beneficial to him and the other colleague farmers since it afforded them the opportunity to be part of the setting of the crop rates for 2018.

“I am well informed to enable me better explain to my community the issues that were considered before arriving at the rates,” he added.Signing the agreed rates for use by the Mine by participants, Madam Awo Wugah, the 2017 Municipal Best Farmer stated, “the interactive session has been educative and it will go a long way to help farmers”.

Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, the Agriculture Director of Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, Mr Otu commended the mine for institutionalising such review discussions on their crop rate.

He called for more collaborative efforts between the farmers and the Mine.

Mr Otu encouraged the farmers to make good use of the opportunity the mine presents to improve on their livelihoods.Present at the forum were representatives from Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, Prestea,  Huni Valley District Assembly, Land Valuation Division, Ministry of Food and Agriculture , Apinto and Esuaso Traditional Councils, Stool Land secretariat, Assemblymen on the mine’s concession, women’s groups, Traditional leaders of the mine’s 19 host communities among other stakeholders.