Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) has adopted a
complex percentage system in computing compensation due to farmers at its Akyem Project site in order to cheat them since the farmers do not understand the method.
This was contained in a protest letter Mr Kwabena Frimpong of Akyem Adausina Ahenfie sent to the General Manager of Newmont Akyem Project in the Eastern Region of Ghana and copied to Ghana News Agency.
Mr Frimpong accused Newmont of adopting the method in order to short-change his family members, whose lands Newmont wants to use as a waste dump site.
He said a discussion he held with agents of Newmont on the method of computing the compensation ended in a deadlock because the family did not understand the method, adding that the method was not transparent.
He said the family preferred that the crops should be counted individually so that they could use it to compute the compensation to be
paid, stressing, "to the extent that you are not prepared to do head count of the crops growing on the lands, we are equally not prepared to compromise with you to do assessment of the farms on percentage basis".
The family said from the track record of Newmont within and without Ghana "we know that you are capable of using the security agencies of Ghana against us - either the Police or the Military - to brutalize us. But we are prepared for that, and we will use all legitimate and constitutional means to resist you from having your way this time round. More especially when the
Company had built a Police Station at New Abirem in the name of social responsibility."
The family referred to the shooting to death of Yaw Manu by the Police during a demonstration against Newmont on 3rd November 2006 at New Abirem; the arrest and prosecution of Yamfo citizens and the connection of sewerage containing human excreta into River Asuapre in Kenyasi, both at the Newmont Ahafo Mine Project in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Mr Frimpong said the family would have nothing to do with the Crop Compensation Negotiation Committee established by Newmont adding: "How can I ever think of a fellow lay man of my calibre to decide for me how much I
should be paid in terms of my compensation and after such negotiation you employ same in your company?"