The case of Nana Kofi Karikari & 44 ors v Ghanaian Australia Goldfields (GAG) Ltd. dates as far back as 1997. In this case the Center rendered free court room representation and sought compensation for about 45 residents of Nkwantakrom whose buildings were unlawfully destroyed by GAG during its mining operations.
The Center based its arguments for the case on the Constitution of Ghana and the African Charter on Human and Peoples rights which guarantee the right to own property and not to be deprived of their property without just compensation.
It also sees that demolition of the houses and structures of the affected residents as a violation of their right to housing.
The High Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and ordered AngloGold Ashanti, which has now taken over the operations of Ghana Australian Goldfields, to pay over USD 600,000.00 to them.
The defendant has appealed against the judgment and the appeal is pending before the Court of Appeal.
