The government has asked an independent consultant to undertake vulnerability assessment of the impact of cyanide that spilled from the plant site of Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Kenyasi in Asutifi District, into to River Yaakye and its tributaries at Kwabuokrom, last year.
The consultant, who will begin work on Monday July 5, this year, is expected to complete the assessment in three weeks.
Mrs. Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, disclosed this at Kenyasi number two, after she visited the affected areas and held a meeting with management of Newmont Ghana, on Tuesday.
She was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Dr. Omane Boama and Directors at the Ministry and the EPA.
Mrs. Ayittey said that recommendations of the consultant would enable government to determine modalities for determining the needs of the people directly affected by the spillage.
She explained that the consultant would work especially on how the spillage had affected the people to enable the authorities address their
needs and those of traditional rulers and the district assembly.
Mrs. Ayittey said that recommendations of the consultant would be made available to the Kenyasi Number One, Kenyasi Number Two and Ntotroso Traditional Councils and the district assemblies for study and suggestions towards addressing their needs.
She appealed to the chiefs and people of the affected communities to channel their grievances through the appropriate quarters for redress
instead of resorting to unnecessary agitations.
Mrs. Ayittey said that government would review the mining law and had set up a committee working on some aspects of the law especially in the areas of crop and land compensation, payment of royalties and resettlements.
She asked the traditional councils to delegate people to attend the committee sittings to enable them to put across their concerns and
suggestions for the review of the mining law.
Mrs. Ayittey expressed concern about the activities of illegal miners (galamsey) and appealed to the traditional councils to help bring the situation under control.