Just In: Assembly members to stage a massive demonstration against Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited Tuesday
Talensi Constituency will be witnessing another massive demonstration against Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited. Speaking to the Talensi District Assembly’s Presiding Member, John Millim Nabwomya, He confirmed to Apenewsgh.com on Monday that nothing is unchanged as far as the demonstration is concerned. When asked, about the motive for their planned demonstration against the Mining Company, the Presiding Member in his said, “We had some discussion with the company earlier sometime last year about the road they have been using. Is all about the maintenance of the road in the district, especially the one from the district capital to the Eastern part where the company is located”. According to Hon. Millim, the company is not cooperating with their request. Meanwhile, this is not the first time these Assembly members are threatening demonstrations on the same subject against the company, somewhere on 28th April 2023, the Assembly members planned to demonstrate against the company but later failed. However, when Apexnewsgh.com contacted Earl International Public Relations Officer Ebenezer Bognaab, he confirmed the demand made by members of the Talensi District Assembly. He described their demand for the road construction as a ‘genuine concern’ raised by the Assembly members. “These are genuine concerns they are expressing”. Earl International PRO admits He told Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen during an interview that, the company has seen the construction of the road as part of their cooperate responsibility to the Talensi people. Insisting that the company Earl International is considering such a demand. “So, as a mining company as part of our cooperate responsibility for the fact that we also used the same road. When they wrote to us, we responded, they send a resolution and we responded to the resolution and they send a reminder. So, we have been engaging the district assembly over this issue, and is a genuine issue and management is currently considering it”. Responding to the aggrieve assembly members who were of the view that the company isn’t cooperating with them on their demand, the PRO said: “It is not true that we are not cooperating, we had a meeting with the DCE in his office, we had a discussion with him on this issue and we are always ready for engagement. You know, it has to do with roads and road construction is not as easy as you know. So, as a company, we have to organize ourselves because we have also some other plans too. So, as I said earlier, we are considering it. Very soon we will start work on the road”. He reacted Roads in Talensi are so deplorable to the extent, people easily questioned the contribution of a mining firm such as Shaanxi now Earl International since its operation in the Talensi district. The company has always been in the news for not performing its responsibility as a mining company that has migrated from small-scale mining and now operating as a large-scale mining company. Most citizens from the Talensi District living in both at home and abroad have pointed hands on their leaders and more especially those in authority for their district’s underdeveloped predicaments. The Assembly members want the mining company to consider constructing the road from Tongo Hospital junction straight to Sheaga, Gbani, and across Datoko. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Mining dispute: A-G fights $300m claim
The Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has gone to court to stop an Australian mining firm, Cassius Mining Limited, from pursuing an international arbitration seeking $300 million compensation from the Government of Ghana (GoG). Cassius has been fighting Ghana in international arbitration forums since February this year, seeking compensation over what it claimed were unfair treatment and breaches of mining laws by the GoG’s failure to extend the term of the company’s Prospecting Licence Agreement (PLA), after exercising its contractual right of extension. However, in an application filed at the Commercial Division of the Accra High Court, the A-G urged the court to restrain Cassius Mining from going for international arbitration but rather avail itself of an ongoing arbitration at the Ghana Arbitration Centre (GAC) over the same dispute. Arbitration should be in Ghana It is the case of the A-G that per the PLA, any dispute between the mining firm and the GoG must be resolved by arbitration in Ghana in accordance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798) and not by an international arbitration panel. The A-G filed the application at the High Court in Accra following a new international arbitration initiated by Cassius Mining in which the company sought to have the arbitration in London, UK, under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules. Such a move by Cassius Mining, Mr Dame argued, was a clear violation of the PLA, Act 798 and virtually ousted the jurisdiction of the High Court of Ghana from supervising the arbitration process as stipulated by Act 798, and rather placed such jurisdiction over the matter in the High Court of England and Wales. “The recourse by respondent to international arbitration is gross abuse of process and most oppressive of applicant herein as, in Clause 21 of the Prospecting Licence Agreement, the parties have agreed that their dispute shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798). “Nowhere have the parties agreed that their disputes would be resolved under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules,” the A-G submitted before the court. Forum-shopping The Principal Legal Advisor to the government, therefore, urged the High Court in Accra to restrain Cassius Mining from embarking on any international arbitration, as such a move was not only against the PLA and Act 798, but also amounted to forum-shopping, which would saddle the GoG with unnecessary cost and expenses. “Unless restrained by this honourable court, the respondent (Cassius Mining) will continue searching for an international forum that will support the breach of Clause 21 of the Prospecting Licence Agreement and undermine the ongoing proceedings before the Ghana Arbitration Centre. “That this is a fit and proper occasion on which this honourable court ought to exercise its supervisory jurisdiction over the pending arbitration proceedings between the two parties hereto and grant an interim injunction restraining the respondent from embarking on plain illegality,” the A-G added. The application for interim injunction by the A-G is in conformity with Section 39 of Act 798 which clothes the High Court with the jurisdiction to grant interim injunction in arbitration proceedings. Challenge This is not the first time the A-G is challenging Cassius Mining’s decision to go for international arbitration over the dispute. In March this year, the A-G successfully challenged the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, to hear the dispute after Cassius Mining had filed an arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules before the PCA. Raising a preliminary legal objection, Mr Dame argued that the GoG had not consented to the PCA administrating the arbitration and also per the PLA, any dispute between the two parties must be resolved in Ghana in accordance with Act 798. The PCA upheld the objection by Mr Dame, declined jurisdiction over the dispute and refused to constitute a panel to hear the dispute. “The PCA Secretary-General may act as appointing authority under the UNCITRAL Rules if all parties so agree. The PCA understands that no such agreement has been reached in this matter,” the PCA said in a letter dated March 20 this year to the parties. Background Per court records, on October 12, 2016, Cassius Mining Limited applied for a prospecting mining licence to explore minerals in Talensi in the Upper East Region. On December 28, 2016, the GoG, through the then Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, granted the mining firm a prospecting licence for two years, which was to expire in December 2018. On June 14, 2018, Cassius Mining alleged that the GoG had failed to uphold its part of the contract by not renewing the prospecting licence which was set to expire in December 2018. The mining firm, therefore, dragged the GoG to the Ghana Arbitration Centre (GAC) on June 26, 2018, in accordance with the dispute settlement clause of the Prospecting Licence Agreement, which enjoins the parties to settle their disputes in Ghana in accordance with Act 798. An arbitral panel which was comprised Emmanuel Amofa, Kizito Beyuo and Professor Albert Fiadjoe, was formed to hear and determine the dispute. However, per the court documents, on January 23, 2019, Cassius Mining applied for a stay of proceedings for three months in order to explore settlement with the GoG. After the expiration of the three months, the mining firm applied for an extension which was granted but nothing was heard about the arbitration, although it was still pending. In February 2023, Cassius instituted fresh arbitration at the PCA, which declined to hear the matter following the objection raised by the A-G. Graphic
NORPRA organizes a mining community sensitization forum for Sherigu community
This trend could result in something dangerous if appropriate measures are not followed to educate both the mining companies and the community members. Ribeiro-Duthie once said, despite the positive contribution of small-scale gold mining to community and national development, it is often associated with violence and a wide range of human rights concerns that cannot be overlooked. Martin Kornberger in 2015 also said, “Poorly regulated small-scale mining activities have impacted negatively on communities and impinge on the rights of workers, women, and children. Some of the above reasons and more have pushed the Executive Director for Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) Mr. Ayorogo Bismark to organize a community sensitization forum for the people of Sherigu a mining community under the Bolgatanga Municipal in the Upper East Region on the Rights and responsibilities of mining communities under the mineral and mining policies and law of Ghana, ECOWAS, and Africa. Mr. Ayorogo when engaging community members present at the forum said, the main objective of the forum, is to influence responsible mining, equitable sharing of mineral rights with communities, peace, and respect for the promotion of human rights. “Our motivation is that, over the years, you can look at Africa continental level, the ECOWAS level, the national level, wherever there is mining or wherever there are mineral resources, there are always associated challenges”. He pointed out, that mining makes a significant contribution to the development of every community in every country. “You can look at it in terms of employment, in terms of contribution to GDP, in terms of foreign exchange”. However, Mr. Ayorogo insisted that despite all the mining contributions, the other side of mining is a symptom that looks so ugly. Stressing that the forum beyond its objective is seeking to see how they can maximize the benefits of mining and then reduce the challenges associated with it, especially the exploitation of these Mineral resources against residents by the mining companies. “So, once NORPRA is aware in accordance to its mandate to mobilize communities, educate them, create awareness among community members on their rights and responsibilities that are been guaranteed by the Mineral and mining laws we thought it wise that once a company is coming into Sherigu community in the Bolgatanga Municipality, we should come around with the regulatory institutions like the Mineral Commission, EPA, Land Commission, Forestry Commission and all the other regulatory institutions with the Municipal Assembly”. Mr. Ayorogo explained Meanwhile, responding to some of the questions asked by community members during the forum about the activities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in mining communities, an official of EPA present Mr. Agbenyeke Godfred Yao explained, “Once a company or group of individuals come to acquire its documents, they are permitted by the agency to do their work. The agency only comes in when there are challenges with regards to pollution of the environment or destruction of the water bodies within the environment”. “That is where we write to the company involved and invite them, if need be we ask them to provide an alternative source of water to the community”. “We are not into giving of concession, we only come in when there are environmental issues that need attention” He explained Alhassan B. Zakariah, Acting Regional Valuer in charge of the land Commission also clarified some issues regarding the mining lease and compensation. Also responding to questions, Mr. Zakariah said: “We must take into account the number of years of the mining lease”. “So, our compensation or our assessment is going to be based on the number of years. So, if the mining lease says that is 5 years, we are going to assess our compensation for 5 years. After 5 years, if they renew their mining lease then, you renegotiate. It is not a one-time compensation” He stressed Mr. Zakariah further explained that “It is only when land is acquired compulsorily by the government for a project that will inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian people that is where the government pays compensation wholly and takes over the land. But when it comes to mining, it is a lease that is given, and the assessment of compensation is done based on the number of years that is inserted in the mining lease. So, if is for 5 years, we do an assessment of compensation for deprivation of land use. According to him, the assessment also includes crops, economic trees, and building structures. He says they assess them based on the period of the mining lease. Once the lease is expired and later renewed, there is a need for renegotiation of compensation. He explained The Bolgatanga District Officer of the Mineral Commission Mr. Achindiba Dickson when responding to questions regarding the rights of a prospecting company says: “Prospecting license allows a company to trench, it allows them to drill, it allows them to be able to take samples. But any destruction caused in the process by the company, victim, or victims of the affected destruction must be compensated. He further explained that when it comes to mining leases, prospecting is 3 years subject to renewal, Small scale mining has 5 years subject to renewal but for large scale, it has 15 to 30 years lease depending on the amount of deposit. He said any mining company that entered a community for mining has to get an office to enable them to carry out their activity. It doesn’t matter where the office is situated, it could be in the community or outside the community. Mr. Achindiba stated Meanwhile, when addressing members of the Sherigu community and its surroundings at the community sensitization forum, the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Mr. Rex Asanga maintained that one of the surest ways that all actors-communities, mining companies, and government can reap the full benefits of these natural resources is for all to act and conduct themselves responsibly and unconditionally respect the policies and laws that regulate the mining sector. According to him, the mining policies and
NOFPED Gives Upper East Regional Minister one week to apologize by calling Northerners greedy and untruthful people
Northern Forum for Peace and Development (NOFPED) an Organization operating in Northern Ghana has described the Upper East Regional Minister’s alleged descriptions of northerners as greedy and untruthful as weird to himself as a Regional Minister and the entire northerners. The Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu is reported to have said that “NORTHERNERS ARE VERY GREEDY AND UNTRUTHFUL”. This statement was reported by Media Without Borders on 25th May, 2023. The alleged pronouncement by Hon. Yakubu has not gone well with members of the Northern Forum for Peace and Development (NOFPED) who are calling for the regional Minister to immediately apologize to the good people of northern Ghana within one week. We think that it is so weird for a northerner like the Regional Minister himself who is from Binduri in the Upper East Region to insult his own kinsmen and kinswomen as greedy and untruthful people. The fact that the Regional Minister obtained his secondary education at Konongo in the Ashanti Region does not make him an Akan. The attitude he has exhibited so far in the office as a regional minister qualifies him as the one who should rather be described as greedy and untruthful. Meanwhile, a disclaimer from the Regional Minister says “First and foremost, the Regional Minister himself is an unalloyed and inborn Northerner who is committed to the socio-economic development of the Upper East Region and the North at large and will not make such a statement”. “Lastly, the UER Minister would like to admonish all well-meaning media stations in the region to be interested in the overall development of the region and eschew trivialities and things that have the tendencies to divide and retard growth” “The media should at all times exercise professionalism, report the truth, be partners in development and avoid the temptations of falling prey to individuals who, for their personal parochial interest, induce them to witch-hunt and misreport”. Kindly read NOFPED full press statement below: Northern Forum for Peace and Development (NOFPED) PRESS STATEMENT Motto: Respect for All Our ref……………. Date:11-06-23 Ladies and gentlemen of the press, good day. It has become necessary for all of us to come together and share this piece of disturbing news which seems to denigrate and insult us, the people from northern Ghana. It is disturbing to note that of recent the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu, has been in the news for all the negative reasons. He is known to have been in front of small-scale miners, negotiating with a Chinese mining firm and allegedly cheating our northern brothers who are into legal mining business.It is also alleged that he has connived with the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi, to extort money from some small-scale miners to buy furniture for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, which is uncalled-for. Although in all these matters our intelligence tells us that he is under investigations being conducted by the police, EOCO and NIB. Our expectations are that the state institutions mentioned will do due diligence and serve him the deserved sanctions for his alleged deeds. As the saying goes: “No one is above the law.” Ladies and gentlemen, it is shocking to note that the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu, is reported to have said that “NORTHERNERS ARE VERY GREEDY AND UNTRUTHFUL”. This statement was reported by Media Without Borders on 25th May, 2023. Our investigation also leads to the fact that he, Hon. Stephen Yakubu, actually insulted northerners as reported. We think that it is so weird for a northerner like the Regional Minister himself who is from Binduri in the Upper East Region to insult his own kinsmen and kinswomen as greedy and untruthful people. The fact that the Regional Minister obtained his secondary education at Konongo in the Ashanti Region does not make him an Akan. The attitude he has exhibited so far in the office as a regional minister qualifies him as the one who should rather be described as greedy and untruthful. In the light of all this, we think his statement is unnecessary, it is offensive, it is demeaning and above all it is terrible. And we call on him to immediately apologise to the good people of northern Ghana within one week. We know of his interest to stage a comeback as a Member of Parliament (MP). Failing to apologise will see us work against him and against his government. We are going to stage street protests in his constituency (Binduri), Bolgatanga, Tamale, Wa, Nalerigu and Damango and ask His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to relieve him of his post. By this, we are also respectfully asking all the traditional chiefs in northern Ghana to openly rebuke him and ask him to apologise. We cannot live to hear Hon. Stephen Yakubu insulting the Bawku Naba, the Bolga Naba, the Nayiri, the Wa Na, the Chiana Pio, the Sandem Naab, the Nangod Naab. the Navro Pio, the Tongraan, the Paga Pio, the Yagbonwura and the Ya Naa to mention a few. These revered chiefs and other dignitaries in northern Ghana including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former President John Dramani Mahama, Speaker of Parliament Hon. Alban Bagbin, cannot be described as greedy and untruthful by the Regional Minister Hon. Stephen Yakubu. Hon. Stephen Yakubu must resign for committing this unthinkable blunder against the good people of northern Ghana. #StephenYakubuMustGo. Long live Northern Forum for Peace and Development! Long live northern Ghana!! Long live Ghana!!! Spokesperson: Christopher K. Asima Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
I would be one of the very wealthy people in this country, If I were a thief
The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has said, if he was a thief, he would have been of the very wealthy people in the country. Addressing corruption-related issues related to expenditures by the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, which he chaired, Prof Frimpong-Boateng shared his firm belief that if he were involved in illegal activities, he would have enriched himself with wealth. “If I were a thief, I would be one of the very wealthy people in this country. If we all thought about Ghana and had the best interests of this country at heart, we would not be where we are now,” he told TV3. Following the ongoing investigation conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Prof Frimpong-Boateng was invited to address corruption-related matters on the back of the report he spearheaded on activities of small-scale mining in the country. Following his appearance, the former minister was granted a GH¢2 million bail by the OSP. In an interview with 3news, the renowned surgeon provided a full account of his invitation to the OSP’s office on May 15, 2023, which culminated in his arrest and subsequent bail. “We waited at the lobby down there, and that was my first time in that building. “We arrived around 10 o’clock, waiting for my lawyer. When he came, we were taken upstairs to the 7th floor, where the office is, and then we were ushered into a room. I was given a chair, and opposite me was the Chief Investigator. “On my right, there were my two lawyers, and then some officers from that office. “So, as soon as I sat down, the Chief Investigator came to me. I was sitting down, and then he put his left hand on my right shoulder and said, ‘Professor, you are under arrest.’ “Why? He said they are investigating corruption and corruption-related activities of the IMCIM that I was chairman of. Any specific thing I had done? No, they are just doing their investigations, but all the same, I was under arrest,” Prof. Frimpong Boateng said. Prof. Boateng said, he found the arrest “strange,” considering preceding events, including some lawsuits brought against him. He further revealed that he was subjected to two hours of investigation at the OSP’s office before being granted a GHC2 million bail. “They did not even suggest self-recognizance bail. I needed somebody to bail me. So, a friend of mine was down there, and he came up and bailed me, and so I left, and they went with my friend to his house,” he stressed. He added that he is expected to report back to the OSP for further investigation.
Earl International Group Gold Ltd constructs magnificent school complex in Gbane community
A mining Company operating in Talensi of the Gbane community in the Upper East Region known as Earl International Group Gold Ltd has commissioned a magnificent school building block in the Gbane community. The construction of the Gbane Community Basic School Complex, started 3 years ago by the company, is a 12-unit 1-story classroom block fully furnished with 300 mono-desks and state-of-the-art facilities. Handing over the school to the District Education Directorate, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Earl International Group Gold Ltd Wei Xing said, as for them, children are always their future and hope. According to the CEO, they deeply understand the importance of education, especially for the next generation of the community. The reason for their decision to build the magnificent school block is part of our corporate social responsibility to the community and to create a safe, warm, and hopeful learning environment for the children. He encourage the community to continue with their support to the company, as he gave further assurance that his outfit will continue to undertake more of such projects in line with its corporate social responsibilities. “We firmly believe that as our company continues to grow and prosper, we will do our utmost best to undertake more social responsibilities and give back to the local community and Ghana government. We earnestly request your continued trust and support for the company”. Wei Xing stressed The Regional Minister who was at the ceremony lauded Earl International Group Gold Ltd and the CEO for putting what he described as a magnificent school building in the community. Using himself as an example, he said he wouldn’t have a regional minister without education. “Education is so crucial and so important and every day, I used myself as an example, if I didn’t go to school, where will I have been? I wouldn’t of course be standing here as a regional Minister, I wouldn’t. So, education is key”. “And as a northerner, it is only particular thing that I believe can cut out our level of poverty and that is education. So today, if the wisdom of Earl they have given this magnificent building then they need applauses”. “I am very sure, that for years to come, there are definitely going to be people from here who will be DCEs, who will be Ministers, who probably will be President of the country because of this school”. He tasked the District Chief Executive for Talensi, Thomas Duanab Wuni to ensure that every child of the Gbene community is in school. “The NPP Government, seeing the importance of education brought in Free Senior High School (FSHS) and for that matter now, even if you don’t have, you can always enroll yourself into education and that, you will be given a chance in life also to become someone one day and that is why our party brought in free education. I and sure that our fathers here will make sure that any little child from this community goes to school. I will ask my DCE to check this, to make sure all the children in the Gbene area my junior brothers, my daughters, and my sons will be in this community school and other schools that are within because is very key that is only education can help us develop. “So, lets us together work and when they go wrong, let us correct them so that together we will be peaceful and grow together”. The District Chief Executive for Talensi, Thomas Duanab Wuni also used the opportunity to extend an appeal to the company to incorporate the Chinese Language into the school’s curriculum and support the professional development of teachers as well as provide meals and all other facilities that will enhance teaching and learning for the school progress. He further, tasked the education directorate to put the facility to good use and ensure good results. Meanwhile, the company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ebenezer Bognaab also used the medium to outline some of the efforts of the company’s contributions to the community. He said the company has employed over one thousand workers and the majority from the community. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
CEPIL concludes training of 50 paralegals for 2 regions in the Upper East
A Rights-based law firm that provides free legal representation and service to communities and other indigenes who cannot afford legal services that is a non-profitable organization headed by the Executive Director Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) Lawyer. Augustine Niber has concluded training for 50 paralegals in the Upper East Region. Engaging the media during the training workshop, Lawyer Niber said, they have been providing training on Human Rights and para-legalism to communities. According to him, the present program that they undertake here in the region is a paralegal training program that started 2 years ago with support from the FORD Foundation in building the capacity of community groups, opinion leaders, and community representatives from Upper East and Upper West on mining-related issues for person and district where mining is currently taking place. He stated that, “The basic requirement for the program is to train these paralegals to serve as vocal persons in communities and they are to play a kind of liaison role between their communities and other Civil Society Organizations and try as much as they can to serve as the voice of a community in bringing up mining-related issues and generally equip them with some basic legal knowledge that will support them as vocal persons in their communities and also provide them with some level of cost-effective to basic legal services to their communities”. The 50 paralegals comprise two regions and 5 districts Talensi, Nabdam, and Zebilla in the Upper East Region, and participants from the Nadowli and Wa East districts in the Upper West Region. Meanwhile, throwing more light on the training workshop, Laywer Niber explained, that one must complete the three modules before he or she is certified, “There are three modules for the training before one can be certified as a paralegal. The first module took place in Tamale in 2022, and the second module took place in the Upper West Region and what is happening in Bolga is the Third and last module and after which will certify them. The director explained He added, that the response they have gotten from those they have trained is already positive, because they have indicated the knowledge they have acquired from issues of mining including the right they were educated on. He believes, they now approach issues based on informed position and based on the advancement of what they have learned. “They are expected to create the awareness in their communities from the training they have had and also to enable demand respect for their rights and protect their rights within the context of mining activities in their communities”. However, asking what the next step will be for CEPIL, the Executive Director said, they will be doing a follow-up to ascertain the extent to which the trained paralegals are using the knowledge in their communities and also add that, when necessary, they may be organizing refresher programs for new things might come up. Chairman Savannah Research and Advocacy Network (SRAN) Mr. Nyeya Yen expressed satisfaction with the education provided so far by the Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) to persons from mining communities in the northern parts of the country. Mr. Nyeya, is optimistic that the training will produce good results, especially in tackling and managing issues that could result in conflict and as well as help community member understand their rights “Sometimes, the mining companies enter a community without following due process. Sometimes, some of these mining companies walk in and start mining and sometimes they walk into the community and give just a fowl to the landowners for them to do their sacrifices to enable start mining. Sometimes, what they called community entry, they may just meet with the District Chief Executive (DCE) and probably talk to the chiefs and start mining without talking to the community but as an activist in the community you should be able to let them do the right thing”. He stressed “So, we expect these categories of people who are trained as paralegals to help engage the community, engage the chiefs, and engage the Tindanas to guarantee a better deal”. Chief Operating Officer of TAMA Foundation Jonathan Adabre Akatue said, all the 50 activists have been trained on, issues of compensation, resettlement, environmental safety, and more. According to him, the importance of this training is that, it will guide communities, citizens in mining communities on what they need to do when mining is taking place, the responsibility of the mining company, the responsibility of the state regulator which is the Mineral Commission, the responsibility of the Assembly, the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency and the responsibility of many other actors who play a role in mining. He was satisfied that so far, the results from the field are encouraging and the majority of them have taken steps to deal with resettlement discussions, to deal with compensation matters and it is for the good of all of us as citizens of this nation. However, before awarding certificates to the trainees, the Executive Director of CEPIL cautioned all qualified candidates not to misuse their opportunity by using the certificate acquired from the training to engage in any form of illegality. If I hear anything, I will be the first to report you to the police and I will be the first to testify on the case. As I said, you are to use this knowledge to benefit your community. Don’t go and use it to solicit funds. If I hear that you have collected money to take or provide any kind of advice, I will be the first to report you to the police and am serious about it. He warned “I have not trained you to use your knowledge to cheat your community”. On behalf of the 50 trained paralegals, Mr. Sapak of SRAN extended their gratitude to the staff and the Executive Director Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) Lawyer. Augustine Niber for taking through mining law that will help guide them in their various
Gov’t strengthening laws to deal with people engaged in galamsey – Jinapor
Government is resourcing the Ghana Geological Survey to undertake more geological operations in order to block out small-scale mining areas across the country. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, disclosed this when he spoke at a two-day transformational dialogue on small scale mining organised by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani. According to the Minister, this is to ensure the sustenance of small-scale mining. “We are resourcing the Ghana Geological Survey to undertake more geological operations to block out areas of small-scale mining,” he announced. “We are doing this to ensure that small-scale mining becomes sustainable and responsible.” The Minister also disclosed that government is putting in place stringent measures to deal with people who engage in illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey.’ “Those who have vowed to ignore all stringent measures and continue with the illegalities, we are strengthening the law enforcement regime by increasing the punishment for convicted persons engaged in illegal mining,” he warned. For his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Professor Elvis Asare Bediako, empasised the role of the artisanal sub-sector in eradicating poverty. “The artisanal sub-sector alone provides livelihoods of over 100 million jobs to people. The artisanal sub-sector has the potential to lift many rural people out of poverty,” he remarked. —Classfm—
Chinese province of Hunan to partner Lands Ministry in mineral investment
A high-powered delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hunan Sub-council on Wednesday, May 16, 2023 paid a courtesy on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor (MP). The visit was to engage the Ministry on avenues the two countries can deepen their bilateral relations and ramp up economic and trade ties to the mutual benefit of citizens of both countries. Speaking during the visit, Mr Jinapor disclosed that Ghana’s relationship with China is a great and mutually beneficial one which has gained noteworthy recognition in areas of economic trade, mineral and mining investments, education and social development. “There is a strong people-to-people relationship between Ghana and China. There are a lot of Ghanaian citizens who travel to China for all kinds of businesses and there are Chinese citizens who travel to Ghana for all kinds of businesses”, he said. The delegation from the Hunan sub-council made a presentation to the Minister and other officials of the Ministry on the various aspects of the country in which they seek to collaborate with Ghana on. The key sectors which were highlighted in the presentation include mining, healthcare, industrial growth among other things. The leader of the delegation, Zhou Shengqiao, Deputy Inspector, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hunan Sub-Council through the presentation also outlined various means in which they can collaborate with the Ministry for the responsible and sustainable harnessing and exploitation of the country’s natural resources. The Minister noted with satisfaction the detailed presentation offered by the Chinese delegation to partner the Ministry in the area of natural resources exploitation and added that his outfit through the Chief Director will hold further engagement with the council. He also promised to pay a working visit to the council establishment as part of his Ghana’s participation in the Beijing Mining Conference slated for October this year. —Classfm—
UER: NPP Youth Group Give Upper East Regional Minister 2weeks Ultimatum to Resign or….
Youth of the governing New Patriotic Party popularly known as NPP Youth Group For Party Development and Agambila Youth of NPP in the Upper East Regional Capital Bolgatanga have registered some level of frustrations and displeasure over the treatment meted against Yeneya Mining Enterprise a mining institution belonging to Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon, the Upper East Regional Organizer of the governing NPP. The group has given Upper East Regional Minister two weeks to tender his resignation or they will hit the street. The aggrieved NPP youth group during a press conference read by the PRO NPP Youth Group For Party Development Abdulai Hudu demanded that the Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu should “Quickly resolve the impasse he the regional minister has created between Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon and the Earl International. “Return the money meant for Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon to Earl International so that he (Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon) will go and collect the money directly from Earl International”. “Resign from his post as the regional minister or else we the youth groups will hit the streets after two weeks from today”. “We want to state that Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon has not assigned or directed anyone to collect money or mediate on his behalf or on behalf of his company and therefore the alleged act of the regional Minister could amount to false representation which is criminal. By this act of the Regional Minister, we are calling on the law-enforcement agencies, notably the NIB and the police, to investigate him and bring him to book if found culpable” the group demands However, when Apexnewsgh contacted the Regional Minister on the concerns raised by the youth, the Minister said he has no right as an individual to take anybody’s concession, “do I work with Mineral Commission? Am I the company [Earl International]? The problem is that, this company they are talking about [Earl International], they had a license and this license was signed by then Minister in 2019 and my understanding is that, it has been ratified by parliament and if you go deep into the matter, you would see that people were not even happy that they have given the concession to them”. “We have a ministry that deals with that. So, it is not the Regional Minister that give that concession to Earl International and it happened in 2019, 2019 was I here? I wasn’t here”. He asked I don’t know what else he want me to do, he has told everybody that he has not asked me to act on his behalf and I have left it and I have told the company that the person am talking for, said I should not speak for him again, so they should deal with him directly” The Minister said. Below is the full statement released by the youth group: PRESS STATEMENT NPP YOUTH GROUP FOR PARTY DEVELOPMENT AND AGAMBILA YOUTH OF NPP IN UPPER EAST REGION ON THE ABUSE OF OFFICE BY THE UPPER EAST REGIONAL MINISTER (HON. STEPHEN YAKUBU) AND HIS UNDUE INTERFERENCE IN THE MINING BUSINESS OF HON. CHARLES T. NDANBON (NPP REGIONAL ORGANISER / PARTY FINANCIER) The Upper East regional minister (Hon Stephen Yakubu) abused his office by using the Regional Coordinating Council GCB account number 9011130014513 to receive Compensation meant for Yeneya Mining Enterprise owned by the NPP regional organizer and a party financier (Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon). We want to state that Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon has not assigned or directed anyone to collect money or mediate on his behalf or on behalf of his company and therefore the alleged act of the regional Minister could amount to false representation which is criminal. By this act of the Regional Minister, we are calling on the law-enforcement agencies, notably the NIB and the police, to investigate him and bring him to book if found culpable. It is public knowledge in the upper East region that between 2008 to 2021 Hon Charles T Ndanbon and Shaanxi were having cordial business relationship after he traveled to China to lobby Shaanxi into Ghana. The Company has since employed so many youths in the region and has contributed to the development of the region. In 2021 the small-scale mining license of Shaanxi was revoked and they were required to acquire a large-scale mining license which they did with a new name Earl International Gold Limited and signed an agreement with their original mining partner (Hon Charles T. Ndanbon) CEO of Yeneya mining Enterprise on certain terms agreed upon by both parties, To the Suprise of Hon. Charles T Ndanbon, the regional minister called him to a meeting to inform him that Earl International Gold mining limited wanted to buy off his entire concession contrary to their earlier agreement which he (Hon. Charles T Ndanbon) turned down. But sadly, the Earl International is currently mining in his concession under Police and military protection offered by the regional minister meanwhile the percentage due him/his company is not being honored by Earl International which the regional minister is much aware of. We want to state clearly that Hon. Charles T Ndanbon is not against Earl international’s large Scale mining status but only demands that the agreement signed earlier should be complied with. We the youth groups here want to state categorically clear that it’s the effort of Hon Charles T Ndanbon that Earl International Gold Mining limited formerly Shaanxi came into Ghana and Upper East Region to be precise and anyone enjoying from the mining activities of Earl International is enjoying from the labour of Hon. Charles T Ndanbon. We as NPP youth are therefore calling on the regional minister to; Quickly resolve the impasse he the regional minister has created between Hon. Charles T Ndanbon and the Earl International. Return the money meant for Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon to Earl International so that he (Hon. Charles T. Ndanbon) will go and collect the money directly from Earl International. Resign from his post as the regional minister or else we the youth