CONCERNS ON THE AFFECTED FARMERS AND THE SITUATION OF KATINKA COMMUNITY

THE REGIONAL MINISTER,

BRONG AHAFO REGION ASSEMBLY

SUNYANI-GHANA

16^TH JULY, 2013

CONCERNS ON THE AFFECTED FARMERS AND THE SITUATION OF KATINKA COMMUNITY

Most concerns have been raise which concerns the affected farmers and entire people of Kantinka so it has become necessary at this point in time to report to your office How unsafe Newmont Ghana’s is operation and the situation of most Communities especially Kantinka Community.

Newmont Ghana Gold shows no report and less or no concern about the safety of the communities it’s mining within Kantinka is a sub village under Kenyasi No. 2 Community. For about One (1) and half years now the started dumping waste (waste rocks) there, which has put the lives of the people in great danger.

Omanbotantim Association (a community base organization) received series of complains from the villagers which we saw it necessary to take action a public forum was held which gave most villagers opportunity to express themselves. This what we have gathered sofar.

It was reveal that, since the inception of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited the villagers has never had peace and freedom the live first about 10 mts away from the refuse dump so whenever the mining trucks is dumping the waste rocks they experience a lot of Noise especially during midnight .

It was also reveal that, whenever dumping is going on the villagers finds it very difficult to breath because there is a lot of dust in the atmosphere during and after dumping their waste which is very dangerous to their Health but the company cares not.

Most of the villagers beside the water dam whenever it rains, it becomes difficult for them to cross to the other side with for children to go to school or farms and other important places.

The dangerous aspect is that, not only do the villagers live close to the refuse dump but also close to the mining pit, and the company Newmont Ghana Gold Limited is most at times not certain on when blasting will be taking place which makes their stay unsafe at all.

Moreover, because the waste rocks has block the water, roots the leads to the dam, whenever it rains their house rooms and entire becomes flooder with water

Lastly, it the water system in the villager, there is only one bole-hole in the villager which is contaminated poisonous Substances like cyanide from the face of the waste rocks, sometimes most villagers are being invade by pythons and other reptiles from the water dam.

Therefore, Omanbotantim association would like to crave your mdulgence as father of the Region to use your highly respected officer to call Newmont to order by resetting the people of Kantinka.

I wish our concern will meet your earliest considered