Communities in Ahafo Demand Urgent Relocation Due to Health Hazards from Newmont
Communities surrounding Kenyase in Ghana's Asutifi North District are calling for immediate government intervention to compel Newmont Mining to relocate them due to severe health and environmental dangers. Satellite settlements including Tutuka and Damso report widespread contamination affecting residents' wellbeing and livelihoods.
Residents have documented alarming conditions including skin diseases, poisoned water sources, destroyed crops, and dangerous wildlife encounters resulting in injuries and child deaths. Community spokesperson Acheampong Stephen raised these concerns during a visit organized by advocacy groups Wacam, A Rocha Ghana, and the Nature and Development Foundation, noting that exposure to hazardous chemicals used in mining has triggered skin diseases, headaches, and cardiac problems among residents, with domestic animals and food crops also contaminated.
Studies by Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency and Water Company revealed dangerous contamination levels in local water, soil, and livestock, yet affected residents have not received these findings. The communities can no longer safely access rivers or boreholes. The visit coincided with the launch of the EU-funded BRACE Project, and Wacam's Hannah Owusu-Koranteng pledged that project partners would address community concerns urgently.