The paramount chief of Nkusukum in Yamoransa, Nana Okese Essandoh IX has raised concerns about the post-operational activities regarding Lithium mining in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana.
This follows the government’s granted access to Barari DV Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited fifteen (15) years of Mining Lease to commence the construction and mining of lithium at Ewoyaa in the Municipality.
Speaking in an interview with GBC on Tuesday and monitored by ATL FM NEWS, Nana Okese Essandoh IX proposed that to ensure smooth operations in the municipality and to compensate for lost resources after the mining period, a portion of the revenue generated should be allocated to establish food-processing factories.
He emphasized that having nothing to replace the lost resources after the mining period would be disastrous.
“Our people will turn around and leave… for example, if you grow palm trees, it could be used to process palm nuts, it could be used to process palm oil, we can grow orange, we can grow pineapple, which all this could be used to process fruit drinks to benefit the people.”
He added that the company could also create employment opportunities during its preparation period.
Nana Okese Essandoh IX reassured the public, Nkusukum residents and its environs that their resources would be protected during the mining period.
Additionally, he confirmed that the collaboration between the mining companies and the chiefs has clarified the safety of residents.
“We have met EP about four times. Last three weeks we were in Accra with the three paramount chiefs to meet EP and we will ensure that our people are protected. Whatever any person loses will be replaced well so that nobody would be disadvantaged.
We have had so many meetings and engagements with the Chamber of Mines So as for the safety of our people, I can say very sure that whatever we have told the Atlantic Company and the Bariri DV, they will not take for granted.,” he continued.
He described the collaboration between the mining company and himself as good reassuring the safety and well-being of residents.
Read also: NRSA Reports 7,600 Road Deaths in Ghana between January-June 2024
Source: Angelina Riley Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
