WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

The activity of mining companies both large scale and artisanal miners have over the years being a threat to the lives of the people in Prestea.

Whilst the people blame the District Assembly for not checking on the mining companies, the District Assembly also blames the chiefs who in turn blame the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 Salifu Ali, a resident in the community, said that the people decided to demonstrate against these activities by asking for the closure of the mining company (Golden Star). The government acted and granted their request. On a second thought the same community decided to allow them operate in order for the company to employ members of the community and also to help them with basic infrastructure like an ICT laboratory, waste containers among a few, but the company failed in its promise.

Mr. Dominic Nyame, the secretary general Of Concerned Citizens Association Of Prestea spoke about the various effects mining has on the people. He commented that due to mining activities most farms have been destroyed compensation given to the people. According to him, no farming posts or signs are placed on the farms making it difficult for farming activities on the land.

One of the questions I keep asking is who is the main custodian of the land? Is it the community, the District Assembly, the chief or the EPA?

This is because from statements made, the people of Prestea, and the District Assembly, have no control over the mining companies since they have their licenses and permits from the minerals commission.

The Prestea/Huni Valley District Assembly serves as a governmental authority in Pretsea. According to Mr.Enoch Konadu, the environmental officer in charge of the district, they have no power to stop the mining companies from encroaching on people’s farms and or preventing conflicts between the mining companies and the people. He was of the view that EPA did little to help them as a District Assembly since they do not check whether the lands for which license is granted is a home to people or a farm.

He also stated that most of these issues involving the people and the mining companies  are mediated by the chief and the elders of Prestea in the person of Nana Himan.

A call on the chief and the elders confirmed what Mr. Konadu earlier stated. According to them, they believe it is their sole responsibility to demarcate and earmark the lands to the mining companies but as it stands now, whenever they question their credibility they show licenses indicating that they have the permit to mine in these lands.

The question now then is what are the duties of the traditional council in their communities? Do they sit for an outsider to control their lands elsewhere?

As in the Ghanaian setting, it is known that the traditional authority is responsible for such an activity but not in the case of Prestea. The EPA situated in Accra is rather responsible for such activities.

An effort to reach Golden Star, the main mining company in the community to ask of their view was fruitless. It was made known that it gives out some of its lands to other small scale miners to work on.

By : Agnes Borteley Owoo