Assembly members within communities affected by the operations of Adamus Resources Limited have called on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to urgently intervene in an escalating dispute between the mining firm and local residents.
The appeal, led by Hon. Yacoub Abdul Aziz of the Salma Electoral Area, follows a series of violent protests that have heightened security concerns across the district.
According to the assembly members, recent demonstrations on the company’s concessions saw aggrieved residents burning tyres, blocking roads, and destroying security posts in protest against the firm’s activities.
Hon. Aziz described the situation as volatile, warning that continued inaction could lead to further unrest.
“The security situation in Nzema East and surrounding areas is worrying. If the people’s concerns are not addressed quickly, there is a high risk of further clashes,” he said.
At the heart of the conflict are allegations by residents that Adamus Resources has leased portions of its mining concession to foreign nationals for alluvial mining, a move they claim violates Ghana’s mining regulations.
Community members have also expressed frustration over what they describe as economic exclusion, alleging that while they are denied access to portions of the concession for their livelihoods, foreign operators are being granted such opportunities.
The assembly members are therefore urging the ministry to facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders, including traditional leaders and the mining company, to restore calm and address grievances.
They are also calling for greater transparency in the management of mining concessions and policies that ensure local participation in economic activities.
The dispute has been ongoing for about three months, with repeated clashes reported between residents and the mining firm. Some incidents have reportedly come close to turning fatal.
Last weekend, tensions peaked when residents staged another protest, setting tyres ablaze and blocking access routes to express their dissatisfaction with the company’s operations.
The assembly members warned that without swift government intervention, the situation could further deteriorate and threaten peace in the entire district.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
