We the people of Tano-Offin Bauxite concession area, Nyinahin in Ashanti Region would like to express our displeasure about the statement made by Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Information Minister, about our press statement dated 2/6/2019 in which we made some demands from the government of Ghana.
It appears that Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, did not or refused to understand our press statement.
This is elucidated through his statement which was parallel to issues we raised.
He said it is not yet time to engage the affected communities. What we are asking for is, if that is the case, then why did the Deputy CEO of Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation invited some local chiefs in Nyinahin Bauxite concession areas under the President’s directive to Kumasi?
Also if the Government doesn’t know the quantum of the mineral deposit, on what basis did they contract the $2bn Barter Agreement?. How did he arrive at $350bn worth of the Bauxite Deposit and between 150-300 year duration of mining?
The Information Minister should explain to us how a country like China will agree to give out such a huge sum of money out without any evidence of the quantum of the Bauxite Deposit.
We want the Minister to understand that there have been several documented exploration reports about the quantum of bauxite deposit in the Nyinahin Bauxite Deposit ( Tano-offin concession area)
In our mind, community consultation should have started prior to the formulation and passage of the law which gave birth to the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation.
We are therefore on the right path and doing the right thing by calling on the government to engage the community as soon as possible to exhaustively deliberate on our concern as part of the preparations towards the smooth take off of the project. Thank you.
1. Dr. Peter Twum (0551584255)
2. ACP Mr Francis Kwame Ofe Mainu (02774104)
3. Nana Oppong Dinkyini (0247884020)
4. Mr. Samuel Osei Bonsu (0244109096)
