Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Ahafo Project on Tuesday inaugurated its Crop Rate Review Committee (CRRC) and held a capacity training for members.
The CRRC is made up of representatives from the communities affected by the operations of the Newmont in the Asutifi District of the Brong-Ahafo
Region.
The work of the Committee is to negotiate with NGGL to fix new compensation rates for crops destroyed by the operations of the Company.
Inaugurating the Committee in Sunyani, Mr Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said even though the mining industry contributed immensely towards the growth of the economy, there was the need to also promote the interest of the communities affected by the extractive industry.
He advised mining communities to use dialogue in settling their differences with the mining companies rather than resorting to unnecessary
agitations.
Mr Kofi Antwi Bosiako, Manager, Land Access of NGGL, pledged that the Company would pay the affected farmers adequate and excellent compensation
packages.
He stressed the need to strengthen the mutual relationship between the mining company and communities within its catchments areas.
Mr Bosiako said the payment of compensation by mining companies was a constitutional mandate and appealed to the Committee to contribute effectively during negotiations to benefit the affected farmers.
He stated that a better crop rate for the farmers could be determined and agreed upon depending on the inputs the Committee would make during negotiations with the mining company.
Mr John Ayitey, Lecturer of the Land and Economy Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology took the Members through
the legal rights of all the stakeholders.