Chiefs from the Asante Akyem Traditional Council-Konongo in the Ashanti Region have petitioned President John Mahama to grant reprieve to Northern Ashanti Mines Company Limited (NAMCL) stressing that the revocation of the mining lease of the Company is having severe consequences on the community in terms of livelihood losses, and stalled community development.
Addressing a news conference on Thursday (November 12) after presenting the petition to the Municipal Chief Executive of Asante Akyem-the President’s representative
Reverend Dr. Ekow Aidoo the Chiefs led by Nana Gyasi, bemoaned the forceful and Rambo Style take over of the Mines by Operatives of NAIMOs emphasizing the need for indigenous investments to be protected rather wasted.
Appeal for Presidential Intervention
“We acknowledge the authority of Government and the mandate of the relevant regulatory institutions. Nevertheless, we respectfully submit that regulatory enforcement and the protection of legitimate investments should be pursued in a manner that promotes fairness, due process and the preservation of economic value.
We are particularly concerned about the events of 22 October 2026, when personnel of NAIMOS, accompanied by a representative of the Minerals Commission, entered the Company’s mine site and employees were reportedly directed to vacate their offices and residential accommodation within two hours at gun point”, Nana Gyasi fumed.
The Chiefs argued that “as traditional authorities and custodians of the lands and communities within our jurisdiction, we have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare, livelihoods and socio-economic development of our people”.
“…It is in this regard that we express our deep concern about the implications of the developments surrounding NAMLC for our traditional area and its people”.
According to the Chiefs, they acknowledge and respect the Government’s responsibility to regulate the mining industry, enforce the laws of the Republic and combat illegal mining, however, the circumstances surrounding NAMLC deserve reconsideration, particularly given the significant investment involved and the potential consequences for employment, livelihoods and community development.
Economic Investment and Community Development
The Chiefs raised concerns about NAMLC representing a substantial investment in Ghana’s mining sector, with over US$200 million investment committed towards the development of the project adding that as Chiefs of the Asante Akyem Traditional Council, “we have, over the years, witnessed the Company’s struggles, significant financial commitments and sustained efforts to establish and maintain cordial relationships with our communities, including the resources and expenditure devoted to community engagement and development initiatives”.
“We have also personally witnessed the gradual construction and development of the Process Plant, which represents a significant milestone in the Company’s investment and operational preparations. It is therefore particularly disheartening that, after years of commitment, sacrifice and investment, the project should face takeover at such a critical stage, rather than being afforded the necessary institutional support and constructive engagement to address any outstanding concerns and resolve the issues confronting it.
Support for Community Projects
The Chiefs later outlined the benefits the community and the people have had as a result of the company’s investments in terms of community development and corporal social responsibilities(CSR).
“Your Excellency, although the mine is yet to commence full-scale operations, the community has already begun to experience some of the benefits of NAMLC’s social investment initiatives. These include the rehabilitation and reshaping of key community access roads, sponsorship of Independence Day and Farmers’ Day celebrations, as well as support for various other community activities undertaken at the request of the Municipal Assembly”, the Chiefs emphasized.
Nana Gyasi and his colleagues therefore appealed to the President to intervene and facilitate a comprehensive reconsideration of the circumstances surrounding the Mine Lease revocation and subsequent Takeover and grant reprieve to Northern Ashanti Mines in order to boost economic activities in the area.
Their Thematic demands are as follows:
“Specifically, we humbly request that Your Excellency:
A. Direct a review of the circumstances surrounding the revocation of NAMLC’s Mine Lease and the subsequent Takeover of its operational site.
B. Order the withdrawal of NAIMOS and allow NAMLC to engage directly with the relevant regulatory authorities to address and resolve any concerns or issues that may have been raised, with a view to facilitating a fair and lawful resolution that safeguards the investment, employment and interests of the host communities.
C. Facilitate constructive engagement between the Government, the Minerals Commission and the Company and the relevant traditional authorities to resolve any outstanding concerns.
Conclusion
Your Excellency, we submit this petition in the overriding interest of our people and the long-term socio-economic development of the Asante Akyem Traditional Area. As traditional authorities, our foremost responsibility is to safeguard the welfare, livelihoods and future prospects of our communities.
Our concern goes beyond the immediate circumstances surrounding NAMLC; it extends to the potential long-term consequences for household incomes, local businesses, youth employment, skills development and the economic sustainability of our communities. We have witnessed the Company’s investment, its efforts to build relationships with our communities and the progress made towards establishing a viable mining operation. We are therefore concerned about the potential loss of an important economic opportunity, particularly at a time when the project was approaching the commencement of production.
We fully recognize Government’s responsibility to regulate the mining industry and ensure compliance with applicable laws. However, we respectfully appeal for an approach that gives due consideration to the broader interests of the host communities and the long-term economic value of the project.
We accordingly seek Your Excellency’s intervention to facilitate constructive engagement among the relevant stakeholders and ensure that the ultimate resolution of this matter takes into account not only regulatory considerations but also the livelihoods, development aspirations and economic future of the people of Asante Akyem.
We remain committed to working with Government, the relevant institutions and all stakeholders towards responsible mining, peaceful coexistence and sustainable community development.
We trust in Your Excellency’s wisdom and favourable consideration of this petition.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration’.
source :www.senaradioonline.com
