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Ghana: Ghacem Gives Over ¢1.2 Billion Compensation to 60 Farmers
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Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Isaac Akwetey
Management of Ghana Cement (GHACEM), the leading cement manufacturing company in the country, has given over GH¢124,517 (over ¢1.2 billion) as compensation to 60 farmers, in the Yilo and Manya Krobo districts, in the Eastern Region.
The compensation was in fulfillment of a promise made by the cement manufacturing company to farmers, whose farms or crops were destroyed at the commencement of limestone mining in the Eastern Region.
Addressing a cross-section of the Koforidua press corps, and the affected farmers, last Tuesday in Koforidua, the Strategy and Corporate Affairs Manager, Dr. George Dawson-Amoah, said the compensation gives hope and an indication of the company's readiness to contribute, and support activities of inhabitants whose farm crops were destroyed within the environs of the limestone mining site.
Out of the total amount of GH¢ 124,517, an amount of GH¢70,078 was set aside as compensation to the 60 affected farmers, 3,800 bags of cement, valued at about GH¢30,400, for the maintenance of houses within the mining area, and other infrastructure, such as schools, churches and a health facility.
Another amount of GH¢16,000, was also used to construct a borehole, for the affected communities, as well as an amount of GH¢ 8,239 has been approved, by the GHACEM management, for construction of a 10-seater KVIP for the community.
In his welcome address, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Kwadwo Affram Aseidu, explained that even though God had blessed the country with a lot of mineral resources, such as bauxite, gold, timber and other things, these resources are located within certain towns and villages, which the people there depend upon.
"However, if a group of people or organization wants to use or extract such resources, the inhabitants have to benefit from that operation," he noted.
The Regional Minister, therefore, lauded the efforts and commitment of GHACEM, for the bold initiative to compensate the inhabitants, or land owners, within the mining area. Earlier on, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed, between the company and the Odugblase/Klo-Begro Landlords Association, on behalf of the affected farmers.
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The Patron of the Association, Nene Tetteh Agblezee III, expressed his appreciation to management of GHACEM, and lauded the contribution of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), for the role they played in this exercise.
He also expressed worry over payment of compensation, and the way it was being done in the country, any time there was disaster.
He, however, called on the government, to establish or institute a body, which would take charge of the payment of compensation, in order to avoid misunderstandings and confusion, when it comes to the sharing and payment of compensation.
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