Public Agenda (Accra)
Selorm Amevor
1 September 2008
Accra — Some Civil Society Organisations are questioning the motives behind the recent visit of a 12-member Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment to a number of gold mining companies, including AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi and Idupriem mines.
At the end of the recent tour from August 19-22, the Select Committee led by its Chairman, Kwabena Owusu Frimpong announced that they were highly impressed with the environmental practices of the company and hoped they maintained the momentum.
However, Public Agenda has gathered that before embarking on the trip, some of the MPs on the Committee, allegedly appealed to the company for funds to finance their campaigns in the impending general elections.
If the allegation is true, the positive publicity the MPs gave AngloGold Ashanti may not have come as a surprise to many mining watchers.
Little wonder that some Civil Society Organisations are questioning the yardstick the Committee used in drawing the conclusion; arguing that the company has ignored several other concerns the people in its areas of operation face as a direct consequence of its activities.
The Head of Environment at Third World Network (TWN), Mr. Abdulai Daramani told Public Agenda that there has never been any occasion when a Committee has been critical of any mining company after a working visit.
He indicated that even in the worst scenario when over 5000 residents at Himan at Prestea demonstrated against the compensation package of Bogoso Gold, a Select Committee that visited the place was visibly defensive of the company and was therefore not amazed about their latest comments.
Mr. Daramani said it is an established fact that some members of Parliament coming from mining communities especially those of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are serving on the various boards of mining companies.
"With such an arrangement it will be difficult for them to criticize the company since they form part of those who take major policy decisions in the company," he added.
Mr. Daramani indicated that such an arrangement amounts to conflict of interest and is necessary for government to address such an anomaly.
In addition, the situation where the company facilitates such visits needs to be halted since during negotiations every party has a parochial interest and there is no way the Select Committee could have said anything negative about the activities of the company if they facilitated the trip.
Mr. Daramani indicated that recent measures by the company such as the Mosquito Control Program, negotiating with communities, etc was in response to the numerous demands by CSOs on the company.
He said since the publication of the book "Glittering Façade: Effects of Mining Activities on Obuasi and its Surrounding Communities", which revealed high levels of pollution of streams and air, neither the company nor any state regulatory agency has challenged the figures.
On his part, the Executive Director of WACAM, Mr. Daniel Owusu Koranteng indicated that many high profile people who visit mining companies are usually given guided tours which do not help them get a reflect of the actual picture.
According to Mr. Owusu Koranteng some communities within the Obuasi area are still facing problems such as abandoned pits, the pollution of streams with cyanide etc which are all signs of environmental and social problems.
He said the dynamics in mining communities is such that if a visitor is not careful he or she would end up seeking information from an appendage of the company.
He indicated that some Chiefs and Assembly Members are workers and receive contracts from the company, so it will be impossible for them to get accurate information about the problems in such communities.
Mr. Koranteng wondered what the company has done to improve the lives of people living in communities such as Anwiam, Dokyiwaa, Amamom and Akatakyieso who are all suffering due to the activities of the company.
The Executive Director indicated that it was common information that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had to suspend the operations of the company last year due to the pollution of streams by cyanide and effluents.
"The report by the Select Committee should be able to tell Ghanaians what has been done on such serious issues instead of just making a general statement that there has been an improvement," he added.
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