Farmers, who would be affected by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Akyem Project, have expressed the fear that Upper Pra River would dry up when the Project, that would destroy Ajenua-Bepo Forest Reserve, takes off.
A communiqué issued at the end of a three-day workshop on "Human Rights for Mining Communities in Akyem Kotoku Area" held at Koforidua, said seven tributaries of the Pra River that take their sources from the Ajenu-Bepo
Forest Reserve would be destroyed.
The tributaries, on which the communities in the area depend, are Sentrifa; Awro; Adenkyensu; Akwasi-Akwasi; Aprapun; Yayaa and Adotosu. In
addition the Project intends to pump water from Upper Pra River for its operations.
The farmers said the destruction of the Ajenua Bepo, which is the highest mountain in the area and enhances relief rainfall, would lead to the
creation a micro-climate that would negatively impact on farming in surrounding areas of the Project and thus destroy the livelihoods of many
farmers.
The workshop, under the theme; "Human Rights Violations and the Problems Associated with Newmont Akyem Project"; was organised by WACAM, a human rights and mining advocacy nongovernmental organization, with the support of Oxfam America.
The participants were farmers drawn from Hweakwae; Yayaso; Adausena, Ntronang and Mamanso, all communities to be affected by the operations of Newmont Akyem Project in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The communiqué said already the moratorium on building declared by Newmont Akyem Project has rendered masons and carpenters in the area
jobless.
It said Newmont Security Agents arrested and put in Police custody for two days a Fish Pond Owner, Mr John Akologo and a Mason, Mr Stephen Kwabena Offei.
Their crime was that Mr Akologo has engaged Mr Offei to repair his fish pond, which had developed some cracks, in contravention of the declaration of a moratorium by the Project, notwithstanding, the fact that the Project had not entered into any negotiation with Mr Akologo.
The communiqué said from all indications Newmont Akyem Project is going to be one of the most irresponsible mining projects in the country, citing an Akan adage - edwa be ba a efri anopa - literary put "if there is going to
be a successful market day the signs appear in the morning".
The 29 participants called on the Government to revoke the mining lease granted to NGGL to destroy the Ajenu-Bepo Forest Reserve.