Mr Augustine Niber, the Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Law (CePIL) has urged communities to study and understand terms and conditions, before signing agreements with mining companies on compensations, royalties and other benefits.
CePIL is a human rights civil society organization comprising a group of legal practitioners who have come together to provide free legal representation and services to vulnerable people and mining communities, including Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement held at Abesim near Sunyani, Mr Niber said it was necessary for mining communities to understand the content of any agreement or document they initialled with the mining companies.
That would greatly prevent recurring litigations, misunderstandings, and agitations between mining companies and mining communities.
The CEPIL organised the meeting attended by representatives from mining communities, PwDs, traditional authorities and civil society actors and organisations, mostly around the Newmont Ahafo North Project and Newmont Ahafo South Mine in the Ahafo Region.
It sought to enlighten the participants on key human rights and other provisions enshrined in the 1992 Constitution as well as responsible mining and protecting the environment.
The day’s workshop was also aimed at empowering mining communities to sign and obtain better deals from mining companies for enhanced socio-economic livelihoods.
Mr Alhassan Iddrisu, an official of the CePIL noted gold remained the leading contributor of Ghana Gross Domestic Products, saying revenue from gold mines accounted for $6.6 billion in 2022.
He expressed the hope that revenue from mining would be utilised for development and created employment opportunities in mining communities to benefit the local people.
The participants were taken through the ‘whistle blower platform’ designed by the CePIL for them to channel grievances and seek legal advice and services.
By Christopher Tetteh, GNA
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