By Ekow MensahMining is gradually but surely destroying the livelihood of many Ghanaians and the country?s eco-systems.
This is in spite of the fact that revenue from the industry is negligible.
Hannah Owusu Koranteng, Associate Executive Director of Wacam, a non governmental organization on mining says that surface mining has destroyed many fertile lands in the country.
?Mining and other land based activities continue to dwindle the pristine forest of the country ?she said.
?According to her although crops and immovable property destroyed by mining attract compensation, land does not.
?She said though the Minerals and Mining Act requires that there should be negotiated compensation for loss of? land and the destruction of crops and immovable? property, many communities which have? lost their property especially land? have not been paid compensations.
She said their livelihoods have also not been restored by the mining companies.
Mrs. Koranteng was speaking at a seminar for journalist in Tema.
She also complained bitterly about the lack of adequate prior consultation and consent from communities affected by mining activities.
She said by law, communities? affected? by mining projects should be part of the process of the Environmental impact Assessment? to determine whether the projects would not? adversely affect such communities.
??Although the Government of Ghana has ratified and gazetted the ECOWAS? directive on the harmonization of guiding principles? and policies in the mining? sector, Ghana?s laws and regulations are silent on Free Prior and Informed Consent of the communities? she said.
?Available statistics indicate that Ghana gets only five per cent of the total value of gold exported from the country.
