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On Thursday April 3, 2025, Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG) attended a meeting with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Accra to discuss a recent study conducted by LEG entitled ‘Mining-Related Human Rights Abuses in Ghana.’
The meeting, held at the recently commissioned Law House office in Accra, was at the behest of the Attorney General. It followed a letter of invitation from the Attorney General’s office to LEG to discuss the key findings of the report and explore possible avenues for action. The Report was supported by Oxfam-Novib.
During the meeting, key issues raised in the report were discussed, particularly those involving severe human rights abuses linked to mining activities that demand immediate attention. The cases highlighted included: Godfred Nongbezina Nabil, a 26-year-old former employee of Shannxi Mining Company Ltd and resident of Datuko community in the Upper East Region, who tragically lost his arm while on duty. Madam Janet Brokye, a farmer from Akoti in the Western North Region, who suffered serious injuries to her waist and buttocks after being struck by a stone propelled by the blasting operations of Asante Gold Mining (formerly Chirano Gold Mines)
The others involved the cases of Ohene Kwame, a resident of New Abirem, whose farm and structures were taken by Newmont Golden Ridge Ltd without compensation and Awudu Mohammed from Obuasi, who was shot by security personnel employed by AngloGold Ashanti.
The convening also deliberated on issues relative to environmental degradation and pollution caused by mining activities, particularly the destruction of water bodies, as documented in the report.
In addition, LEG presented a policy proposal on compensation and resettlement, which is being developed with support from STAR-Ghana Foundation. The proposal aims to address issues of compensation for farmers whose farms and properties may be affected mining operation.
State Attorney Christiana Awoonor-Anderson, who represented the Ministry, expressed gratitude to LEG for attending the meeting and emphasized the need for further collaboration. She requested that LEG submit a formal policy proposal addressing both environmental degradation and human rights abuses in the mining sector.
The Attorney General appreciated LEG for the comprehensive analysis and insights provided in the report, which highlight critical human rights concerns in mining communities across Ghana.
LEG was represented by the Executive Director, Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku and Miss Peace Nyande programmes officer at LEG.
LEG is a research and advocacy not-for-profit and non-governmental organization established in 2004 to promote environmental justice, sustainable livelihoods and minerals governance and community rights.
Source: Publicagenda.news
