Nana Oprohn Ekwam, General Manager of the Akooko Goldfields Limited operating in the East Akyem Municipality, has reiterated the company's commitment to ensuring development of affected communities.

He therefore appealed to all the affected communities and other stakeholders to give the company a chance to start mining activities in its allocated concession based on global and best practices and Ghanaian mining regulations.

Nana Ekwam gave the assurance at the Environmental Impact Assessment Public hearing on the proposed alluvial gold mining project by the company at Potroase on Friday.

He said the company has made a lot of strides in community development for the affected communities since it started surface-mining in the area about nine years ago, and now that the chance has come to go into full mining activities it will continue to support them.

Nana Ekwam said the company will ensure that adequate information is provided to project-affected people and other stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.

He said they will provide sufficient opportunity for the communities to voice out their concerns and opinions so that they can influence project decisions.

The General Manager also promised that public consultation forums will be organised from time to time through a variety of mediums in order to effectively communicate and consult with various stakeholder groups in a culturally appropriate manner.

Nana Ekwam assured the communities that realistic compensation will be paid to them that will guarantee their generations yet to come.

He also promised to operate an open-door policy for interaction with community leaders, such that stakeholders will feel comfortable approaching them directly to ask questions, discuss matters, and raise concerns.

He said the company will sign a social responsibility agreement that focuses on employment of locals, and relationships with project communities through a Social Responsibility Forum to be established later.

“We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to our social responsibility and collaborate with the Municipal Assembly to add value to the development of communities in which we operate,” he said.

Mr. Emmanuel Afreh, Assistant Manager in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Minerals Commission, said disagreements concerning payment of compensation to persons whose assets have been affected by mining activities have become a major problem in the industry.

He said there has been instances of disagreements, misunderstandings and mistrust between traditional authorities and mining communities on one side and the mining companies on the other, as a result of inadequate payment of compensation to the beneficiaries.

Mr. Afreh therefore appealed to Akooko Goldfields to ensure that appropriate and realistic compensation is paid to beneficiaries according to the new minerals and mining compensation and resettlement regulations, LI 2175.

Mr. Felix Addo-Okyireh, the Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, appealed to the mining companies operating in the region to ensure that adequate consultation is done with the affected communities to avoid agitation.

He urged mining companies to maintain high environmental safety standards, adding that his outfit will ensure strict compliance with the laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to mining.

Mr. Addo-Okyireh expressed concern about the reluctance of some of the companies to show responsibility in protection of the environment.

He said one major challenge confronting his outfit is the issue of illegal mining operations in the region, and urged the police and other security agencies to intensify their operations to address the situation.

Mr. Fredrick Guggisberg Asante, Chairman of the Okyeman Environmental and Conservation Committee, advised the company to undertake vibrant community relations programmes and establish effective communication channels with the local communities to address concerns emanating from their activities.

Additionally, he told the company to initiate alternative livelihood projects for the population affected by their operations.

The East Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Simon Asirifi, expressed concern about illegal mining activities in the area and appealed to traditional authorities to help bring the situation under control.

The affected communities included Potroase, Odumase, Akwadum, Apedwa and Obuase, all in the Municipality.