Angela List, Adamus CEO and Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah
Assembly members within the catchment area of Adamus Resources Limited are calling on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to urgently intervene in the growing tension between residents and the mining company.
According to the assembly members, the situation in the area is becoming increasingly worrying and could escalate into a major security challenge if immediate action is not taken.
The concerns were raised by the Assembly Member for the Salma Electoral Area, Yacoub Abdul Aziz, who spoke on behalf of other assembly members in the affected communities.
Mr. Aziz acknowledged the efforts already being made by the minister to address concerns raised by residents and local leaders.
He noted that there have been engagements in the past aimed at resolving the impasse, but insisted that the current level of tension shows that much more needs to be done.
Community Demonstration
According to him, the atmosphere in some of the affected communities remains tense following the recent demonstration by residents on the concessions of Adamus Resources.
During the protest, some angry residents reportedly burnt tyres, blocked roads and destroyed some security post structures belonging to the company.
The protest, according to Mr. Aziz, reflects the level of frustration and dissatisfaction among community members over the operations of the mining company.
He explained that many residents feel they are being sidelined and ignored despite several attempts to have their concerns addressed.
He warned that the current situation is gradually becoming a serious security threat not only to the company but also to surrounding communities.
He said the fear among local leaders is that if the concerns of the people are not addressed quickly, there could be further demonstrations, confrontations and possible clashes in the future.
“For some time now, the security situation in some communities within Nzema East and its surrounding areas has been compromised because of the recent demonstrations by residents,” he said. According to him, there is growing anger among sections of the youth in the area, and that anger could easily boil over if there is no urgent intervention from government.
He is therefore calling on the Lands Minister to intensify engagements with the company, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, assembly members and residents. He believes broader consultations involving all relevant stakeholders will help calm tensions and create room for a lasting solution.
According to him, residents want to feel that their concerns are being taken seriously and that they are not being left out of decisions affecting their lands and livelihoods.
Mr. Aziz also stressed the need for authorities to restore confidence among the people and reassure them that their grievances will be addressed fairly.
The assembly members say there is the need for a clear and transparent process that will help resolve the concerns being raised by residents.
They believe any long-term solution must involve regular communication between the company and the communities, to avoid future misunderstandings. They also fear that if the issue is allowed to drag on for too long, it could negatively affect economic activities and social life within the affected communities.
According to the assembly members, many people in the area depend directly or indirectly on mining-related activities for their survival. They argue that unresolved tensions between residents and the company could further worsen hardship and unemployment among the youth.
The assembly members are therefore appealing to the government to act quickly before the matter escalates further.
Adamus Response
Meanwhile, Adamus Resources has denied reports alleging that it had bypassed local interests.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the company said the assertions were “entirely without truth”.
It reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the concerns and advancing the interests of host communities in the Nzema area of the Western Region, stressing that it would not renege on its responsibilities.
The company emphasised that it is wholly Ghanaian-owned and managed, and called for constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
The company said credible information suggested a recent demonstration was organised by illegal miners posing as community representatives.
Adamus Resources Limited urged aggrieved persons to seek redress through lawful means and reiterated its readiness to engage stakeholders to resolve legitimate concerns in line with the law and its corporate social responsibility.
A Daily Guide Report