Birim North Umbrella Youth Association, a group made up of 13 recognized youth groups in communities in the Birim North District, has called for the granting of mining licence to Newmont Ghana Gold Limited to mine gold deposits in the area.
The group has also called on anti-mining groups in the country to stop issuing statements in the name of the youths of Birim North since they had not mandated them to do so.
Speaking at a press conference at Adausena on Tuesday, the President of the Association, Mr Bernard Owusu Boateng explained that, with the discovery of gold deposits in the area, if the mineral were not mined by a competent mining company, illegal miners would take over the place as they had already started mining the gold illegally to the detriment of the
communities in the area and Ghana as a whole.
Mr Boateng said the group appreciated the interest of Newmont in the mining of gold deposits in the area because for the few years that the Company had stayed there, they had done a lot to demonstrate that they were committed to their social responsibility.
He said the Company had supported the construction and renovation of many school buildings in the Birim North District, provided other social amenities including potable water; places of convenience; employment to the
youth and capacity building in various fields to individuals, groups and households.
Mr Boateng expressed regret that while the umbrella youth association was still holding discussions with Newmont on how to maximize
the benefits of the mines to the communities that would be affected by the mining project, some anti-mining Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were often heard claiming to be speaking for them.
He said such groups could not represent the youth of the District because they had not cared to formally meet with the youth groups to share ideas.
Mr Boateng said his group had realised that the main objective of the anti-mining groups was to stop Newmont from mining the gold deposits in the Akyem area and thereby deny the people the opportunity to develop fast.
He argued that, once it had been established that there were gold deposits in the Adjenua Forest, if Newmont were denied the opportunity to mine, illegal miners would find all possible means to mine and the results
would be environmentally disastrous.