Government Committed To Resolving Asanko Gold Ltd And Tontokrom Community Dispute Mireku Duker Assures

George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, has re-echoed government's commitment to resolving the dispute between the chiefs and people of Tontokrom in the Amansie South District and Asanko Gold Ghana. He stated that it will be one of the legacies of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government in the mining sector.

The stand-off between the community and the organization over the exploitation of gold resources in the area is well documented, with one person losing his life this year following clashes between irate youth of the community and security personnel on duty at the organization.

Following a series of meetings held at the Ministry, Hon. Mireku Duker, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, embarked on a working visit to the area to have face-to-face interactions with the organization and community leaders as part of efforts to bring finality to the protracted matter impeding the success of the organization and development in the township.

Hon. Duker first made a stop ovver at the office of Asanko Gold Ghana organization, where he acquainted himself with the issues from the organization’s perspective and proposed some steps the organization must take to improve their relationship with the community.

The Deputy Minister re-emphasized the need for a harmonious relationship between the organization and the community, stating that unity is the principal ingredient for mutual success for both the organization and the community.

Responding to a request by the organization for an immediate resolution of the deadlock, He stated that the government, through the Ministry, has been engaging the community to allow the organization to operate without conflict and will persist to activate the essential dialogue and security measures to bring finality to the matter.

He stated that while the community has a responsibility to allow the organization to operate in a violence-free environment conducive to their success, it is also imperative that the organization is transparent, engaging, and accountable to the communities.

He appealed to the organization to take steps to build trust with the community by being open and accountable to them and executing life-changing CSR projects in the area.

“It’s very crucial and significant for companies and the communities around these mining companies to co-exist because you cannot, in any way, operate in isolation. It is, therefore, very significant to wear kid gloves to have a win-win situation. Just recently, as the VP of Asanko alluded to, Goldfields built a $60 million stadium for the people of Tarkwa because of the cordial relationship between them and the community".

They’ve also constructed about a 30-kilometer stretch of road for their mine. In terms of corporate social responsibilities, I will say they are doing their best. How do they do this? And how have they been able to sit with the people? I think we should synergize and learn from each other, irrespective of what we have, in terms of tactic in dealing with communities.

“So once the media is here, I will also use their medium to appeal to the communities to find a way of peacefully sitting down with the various mining companies. There must be that understanding that you are not just here to take our gold away as they perceive you.

“So it’s not a matter of just mining and taking the gold as being speculated out there. The perception is that the companies just take the gold and leave, and that is not true. They pay their royalties. All the tax components are paid. And we also commit them to do corporate social responsibilities. And if we give them that peace of mind, they will be able to do these projects to support their communities,” he said.

Dr. Charles Amoah, Executive Vice President of Asanko Gold Ghana, commended the Deputy Minister for the assurance and indicated the willingness of the organization to dialogue with the community elders to settle the matter.

He also thanked him for promising to work on the organization’s request to have the Bank of Ghana grant them special dispensation for the importation of some equipment that will aid their operations.

Hon. Duker later visited Tontokrom where he engaged the chiefs and elders at a durbar in the town.

He stated that the Ministry will give strong consideration to the request for a Community Mining Scheme by the residents.