Newmont denies collusion with Police, cites farmer attacks and vandalism
Newmont Africa has refuted allegations of colluding with the police to arrest farmers at its Ahafo operation who were reportedly defending their farm properties against destruction for mining purposes. The farmers, numbering four, are part of the Concerned Farmers Association, consisting of 21 members who have resisted compliance with negotiation outcomes and declined to have their farms and structures enumerated.
This controversy has drawn the attention of four civil society organizations (CSOs): the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, Center for Public Interest Law, the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), and A Rocha Ghana. In a joint statement, these CSOs condemned Newmont Ghana for alleged farm destruction and the subsequent detention of farmers in the Ahafo operation area in the Bono Region. They asserted that the farmers were arrested and held by the police for safeguarding their farm assets from Newmont’s actions, which they considered a violation of their rights.
However, Newmont issued a statement on September 13, 2023, contesting these claims. According to the mining company, the farmers were arrested for attacking its workers and vandalizing a company-owned vehicle. The statement provided the following account:
“In a separate incident, John Mensah led some Association members to attack Newmont’s mining team during a land-clearing exercise on a parcel of land that had been negotiated and compensated for by the company. This time, the company’s vehicle was vandalized during the attack, prompting the company to report the incident to the police. The members were arrested and arraigned before the Duayaw Nkwanta circuit court on 30 August, 2023.”
“The court granted them bail and directed them not to return to the company’s mining area until the determination of the case by the court. The Association members ignored the court’s directive and proceeded to disrupt work at the mining area the very next day, 1 September, 2023, leading to the arrest of four of them, including John Mensah,” the statement clarified.
Read details of statement below:
