The Shai-Osudoku District Assembly has referred the operations of a sand mining company at Tsumkpo to the Minerals Commission for review following concerns raised over alleged destruction of farmlands and crops in the area.
The Assembly said the referral was intended to ensure that the company’s activities were properly assessed by the appropriate regulatory authority, while clarifying that preliminary checks had not established claims that crops were destroyed.
In a statement signed by Mr Otoo Augustine Akumeni, Communications Officer at the Office of the District Chief Executive, the Assembly said its Agriculture and Environmental Health Departments had engaged farmers in the area as part of preliminary investigations.
According to the Assembly, the engagements and checks established that no crops had been destroyed, describing earlier reports alleging crop destruction as misleading and inaccurate.
“The Agriculture and Environmental Health Departments of the Assembly have held engagements with the farmers at Tsumkpo and can say with all certainty that no crop whatsoever was destroyed,” the statement said.
The Assembly’s clarification follows a media report alleging that sand mining activities at Tsumkpo had resulted in the destruction of farmlands and crops.
While rejecting the crop destruction claims, the Assembly said it had taken steps to have the mining operation reviewed by the Minerals Commission, the institution responsible for regulating mining activities.
It also clarified that the District Assembly itself did not have the authority to grant mining licences to companies.
The Assembly explained that its mandate was limited to issuing business operating permits to companies that were legally registered and operating in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
It said preliminary checks further indicated that the company had acquired the land from the relevant landlords at Tokpo and had completed the traditional processes associated with the acquisition.
The Assembly, however, did not name the company involved or disclose the specific issues that the Minerals Commission had been asked to examine.
It said the review would provide an opportunity for the relevant authorities to assess the operation within the appropriate regulatory framework.
The Assembly also appealed to media organisations and social media users to exercise greater care in reporting sensitive issues involving communities and businesses.
It cautioned that unverified reports could create fear and panic among residents and potentially cause reputational and other harm to businesses and individuals.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development in the district while protecting the interests and livelihoods of residents.
It said it would continue to engage relevant stakeholders and institutions to ensure that economic activities within the district were conducted in accordance with Ghana’s laws and did not undermine the wellbeing of communities.
