Ahafo North farmers demand Lands Commission pay mining compensation

Farmers from Afrisipakrom, Terchire, Susuanso, and Adrobaa in the Ahafo Region have called on the Lands Commission to release delayed compensation for properties acquired for the Newmont Ahafo North mining project. Nearly three years after the acquisition of their lands, crops, and structures, the affected residents claim they are yet to receive fair payment. The Concerned Farmers Association, representing the displaced individuals, has expressed growing frustration over the lack of communication and the deteriorating financial status of its members.

The core of the dispute involves the classification of the farmers' assets during the valuation process. The protesters allege that Newmont Ghana Gold unjustly categorized their crops and structures as "speculative" in an effort to avoid conducting a fair assessment of the property values at the time of acquisition. This classification has reportedly stalled the payment process, leaving many families without the necessary funds to replace their lost livelihoods or reinvest in new agricultural ventures.

In a formal press statement, the farmers emphasized that the ongoing delays constitute a violation of their rights under both the Minerals and Mining Act and the Land Act of Ghana. They argue that the Lands Commission has a duty to ensure transparent and timely compensation to prevent the marginalization of local communities during large-scale mining developments. The association noted that the delay has caused significant hardship, as many residents depended solely on the land for their daily sustenance and the education of their children.

The communities are now demanding immediate clarification from the Lands Commission regarding the status of their claims and a clear timeline for the final disbursement of funds. They have warned that the continued silence from authorities and the mining company could lead to further tensions in the region. As the Ahafo North project continues to develop, the farmers insist that industrial progress must not come at the expense of the basic economic security of the indigenous landowners.