The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, revoked Exton Cubic’s  exploration license for bauxite in the Tano Offin Reserve because they did not have some statutory documents to back the lease.

[contextly_sidebar id=”cqOSm7GNnWv1kkyQ7MdWm9Sso1hmbYmj”]Speaking to Citi News’ Duke Mensah Opoku, the Tamale Central MP said government should have considered the business interest of Exton which is wholly Ghanaian owned.

“It was under the term of John Dramani Mahama that we started ratifying some agreements and as I speak to you, there are companies in this country operating without parliamentary ratification so when you are treating companies based on non-gratification, you must treat all companies equally. That is fair treatment. You don’t select and pick. Selecting and picking suggests that you are discriminating against certain people.

“The motivation is status and identification; and this goes to buttress the point that empowering the private sector under Nana Akufo Addo is not inclusive… ” the former Minister complained.

Why permit was revoked 

Mr. Amewu had explained that the directive was issued because the company’s three mining leases were invalid.

The Minister said the company’s failure to provide key documents covering its acceptance of the lease, notice of pendency, environmental impact assessment and other statutory requirements rendered the leases invalid.

In a letter to Exton Cubic, Mr. Amewu said “the absence of publications of the Gazette of notice of the pendency of the company’s applications and service of the notice on the various entities specified in the law is contrary to both section 13(2) of Act 703 and Regulation 177 of L.I. 2176 [Minerals and Mining Regulations.]”

We’ll sue over withdrawal of exploration permit – Exton Cubic 

In another development, Exton Cubic has said it will turn to the court over government’s revocation of its exploration license.

The Public Relations Officer of Exton Cubic, Sammy Gyamfi, had indicated that his outfit is currently “studying the letters received from government” before “seeking redress by taking the necessary legal steps.”

“We will take the appropriate legal steps to seek redress… These are technical and legal issues which our lawyers will go through,” he stated.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Gov’t is discriminating against Exton Cubic – Inusah Fuseini appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The vehicles were impounded in the Nyinahin township upon the orders from the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, following suspicions the mining company was operating illegally.

[contextly_sidebar id=”CrhRZgKMm1RDeYSce2h28fqA07l00Kzf”]The Public Relations Officer of Exton Cubic, Sammy Gyamfi, on Eyewitness News said government is yet to release the seized equipment to the company.

“I can say that our equipment is still in the possession of the state. We have still not received the equipment,” Mr. Gyamfi confirmed.

Lawyer for Exton Cubic Limited, Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, had served notice of a suit against the state over what he described as the unlawful seizure of the equipment, and the withdrawal of their exploration license.

Mr. Gyamfi said though Exton Cubic had formally written to the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo informing her about the company’s intentions to sue government over the development, the latter is yet to return the equipment.

He added that Exton Cubic had also not received  “any official communication from the Police and other authorities” over the seizure.

Equipment seizure costing us $40,000 daily – Exton Cubic

Exton Cubic had earlier revealed that the seizure of their vehicles and mining equipment was costing the company over $40,000 daily.

According to Exton Cubic, the losses started on August 20, when the vehicles were impounded in the Nyinahin township.

At a press conference a few weeks ago, the company’s Public Relations Officer, Samuel Gyamfi, reiterated the company’s assertion that the impounding and detaining of its officers was unlawful.

“The company is losing over $40,000 a day due to this unlawful act and as we have told you, we are going through the legal process with our lawyers and very soon, the authorities concerned will be written to and we will make our position clear to them.”

Mr. Gyamfi maintained that “… what they have done to us is not fair. What they have done to us is not allowed or permitted by law and we expect that the right things will be done.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Our equipment still in govt’s possession – Exton Cubic appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These vehicles were confiscated from a Nyinahin bauxite concession being explored by Exton Cubic Group Limited and some of the company’s officers were also detained.

[contextly_sidebar id=”V8uyJLofYUFdyHGZRJkvp7YXt2SaFqL5″]Exton Cubic Group accused Mr. Osei Mensah and the District Chief Executive of the Atwima Mponua District of unlawfully impounding of E&P’s vehicles and detaining its officers.

Speaking to Citi News, the Ashanti Regional Minister, confirmed that he had indeed given the directive after the DCE informed him of activity on the concession.

“They asked whether I knew anything about it and I told them I had no knowledge about it and that they should impound the vehicles until we get authorization from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and then I called the police to impound the vehicles.”

“So we are waiting for written instructions from the minister, which should be accompanied by the various permits which should have been the normal route and then we put it on our file then we can ask the people to go,” the Minister said.

According to him, he was told by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, that only three mining companies were operating in the Ashanti Region; AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi, Asanko Gold and Oware Mines limited at Konongo “so if there are any amendments, it should be communicated to us.”

Exton considering legal options

Exton Cubic Group Limited is considering taking legal actions against the police and some authorities in the Ashanti Region for what it called the unlawful seizure of vehicles and mining equipment.

According to the company, it has acquired all the necessary documentation and permits to operate at Nyinahini.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ibrahim Mahama’s trucks to remain seized until… – Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minister’s clarification follows some confusion that led to the seizure of mining equipment belonging to Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), which was to do some preparatory work in the forest for Exton Cubic.

[contextly_sidebar id=”UN7h5ZoNSYr5Kex5aytpGNQ2tm38Cke5″]Reports surfaced that Exton Cubic and E&P were operating illegally in the forest but the mining company refuted the claims noting that it had legally acquired the Nyinahini Bauxite concession as far back as August 14, 2013.

Exton Cubic Group accused the Ashanti Regional Minister of unlawfully ordering the impounding of E&P’s vehicles and detaining its officers.

The company’s assertion that it was operating legally was corroborated by Mr. Amewu who confirmed that it had been given the go ahead in 2013.

“This project commenced somewhere in 2013. They began the due diligence processes through which they were granted the prospective lease around 2015. They have the entry permit from the Forestry Commission and the necessary EPA [process] was done during the exploration period.”

He noted that Exton Cubic was still within the exploration framework which is to end in December 2017, “but the mining lease has been granted in December.”

“What that mining lease does is for him to go back and start the whole processes again; going through the application for forest entry permit, the EPA processes and a lot of things that will need to be done.”

“As it stands now, he has the mining lease, he has the entry permit to enter the forest but the EPA and other things that are very important have not yet been granted and he has also not been granted an operating permit which will finally mandate him to do the production.”

Minister awaiting official documents

Speaking to Citi News earlier, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah said he was waiting on official documentation from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources before releasing vehicles and equipment belonging to E&P.

According to him, he was told by Mr. Amewu, that only three mining companies were operating in the Ashanti Region; AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi, Asanko Gold and Oware Mines limited at Konongo. “so if there are any amendments, it should be communicated to us.”

Thus any developments must be communicated to the region, he said.

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By: Kojo Agyemang/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Exton Cubic, Ibrahim Mahama’s operations legal – Amewu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has explained that, as part of the 15 billion dollar deal, Ghana will leverage 5 percent of its Bauxite reserves, including the deposits in the Atiwa Forest.

Bauxite ‘mortaging’: 5m Ghanaians to lose access to potable water – NGO

[contextly_sidebar id=”sh1fZJhcWolqBeK2bMIxndldNd0YvN2H”]Concerns have been raised by some members of the Minority in Parliament that mining the bauxite might be detrimental to the forest reserve, and also affect several water bodies in the area.

However, the Government has clarified that the Atiwa Forest might not be considered for bauxite exploration and even if it is, this could be done without destroying the reserve.

Making a case for an alternative that will provide employment and also preserve the environment, the Coalition advised government to instead consider turning the forest into an eco-tourist site.

Addressing a press conference in Accra today [Wednesday], Daryl Bosu, the spokesperson for the coalition, said the present deal with the Chinese, which seeks to leverage bauxite lying beneath forests and vegetated off-reserve areas, will work against Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement submitted during COP 21.

He stated that, although some assurances had been given, the group wants government to take into account the dire consequences such an undertaken might have on the environment.

Below are the requests and proposals made by the Coalition to Government;

1. We are requesting government to as a matter of urgency to expunge Atewa Range Forest in Kyebi out of the deal with the Chinese. The Snr Minister has already indicated that Atewa is not on the list, but has also indicated a possibility of mining close to the range. This latter statement is not convincing enough and we ask for complete delisting of Atewa Range from the bauxite deal. In outlining what the money will be used for, the Vice President, further reiterated the fact that government will be leveraging on the Nyinahin and Kyebi Bauxite. This is worrying and inconsistent with the statement by the Snr Minister Osafo Marfo. We hope the government is very aware of the cliché, “…not all that glitters is gold” and that there are some things, that just can’t be traded for all the money in the world. Our forests and particularly Atewa Forest Reserve is one such asset and heritage that cannot be traded.

2. Again in furtherance to entrenching Ghana’s commitment to the SDGs particularly goals 6, 13 and 15, the government of Ghana should declare Atewa Range Forest Reserve as a National Park. This will certainly be the most lasting legacy generations will forever remember this administration for, together with bringing to a halt the activities of galamsey all over the country.

3. In respect of the request for the Atewa National Park, the government of Ghana needs to be aware that, plans are far advanced, with affirmed international commitment to support green development pathways, such as eco-tourism development, and sustainable cocoa production in agro-forestry systems within the Atewa Landscape to promote long-term water provisioning services, reduce poverty and contribute to socio-economic development within the region.
Just as the Vice President Said, ‘Ghana is indeed ready for big things’ Yes and we agree. That said, we need government to be mindful of the fact that the kind of big things we need is green investments that enhances our natural capital without compromising the ability of futures generations access to a healthy and sustainable environment.

Our Proposals to Government to harness the outstanding wealth of Atewa Range Forest are as follows:

1. Our vision is of an Atewa Living Landscape: with thriving communities at whose heart is its greatest natural asset – the Atewa Forest – protected in perpetuity and also provides economic benefits. This vision has broad support locally, nationally and internationally. It serves Ghana well, and offers a significant legacy for the current administration, especially on this 60th anniversary year of the Republic of Ghana that the Government has dedicated to the environment. It is a vision for an integrated landscape that respects the region’s history, its environment and its people, and one that bring development to the region in a sustainable way.

2. The main characteristics will be a flagship national park, with a thriving tourism industry that supports the operation of the National Park and brings much needed income to the surrounding communities. The wider landscape around the National Park forms an enterprise zone where land use practices that support the forest are encouraged from natural forest restoration to agro-forestry and commercial reforestation. This will constitute the crucial basis for a protected watershed for millions of people living downstream in the Eastern, Central and Greater Accra regions, as well as the residents of Kyebi and its environs, clean, safe, dependable and affordable domestic water. It will also provide the conditions for a viable agro-industrial sector within the landscape.

To achieve this we propose the following roadmap:

1. We ask the H. E the President to use his Executive Power to declare Atewa as a National Park. This provides security and stability for the implementation of subsequent activities including investments in ecotourism, agro-forestry and livelihood improvements. Designation can be achieved through an Executive instrument.

2. The government should work in partnership with key stakeholders to develop a landscape master plan, including a protected area management plan and buffer zone plan, including hydrology and reforestation.

3. Put in place a sustainable financing process to implement sustainable use options, including ecotourism, selling carbon emissions offsets in the voluntary market, sustainable forestry and certified cocoa.

Members of the Coalition:
A Rocha Ghana
Tropenbos Ghana
Friends of the Earth
Okyeman Environment Foundation
The Development Institute
Save the Frogs
Herp Ghana

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By: Kojo Agyeman/ciitifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NGOs make moves to stop bauxite mining in Atiwa Forest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

More than 5 million Ghanaians including residents in some parts of Accra may not have access to potable water when the move is initiated.

[contextly_sidebar id=”geJFPQSMjYnVGlrlwwexCt3Mh2bc18ID”]This is according to a report by A-Rocha Ghana, an environmental NGO in the country focused on the preservation of natural resources.

A member of the NGO, Darly Bosu, told Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News that many Ghanaians will lose access to potable water if the government goes ahead to mine bauxite to repay the loan, while creating jobs out of it.

“Going for this bauxite area is something Ghana shouldn’t think about at all. Certain implications come to face us as Ghanaians if we go ahead with this arrangement with the Chinese. We are foreseeing water supply to about 5 million people becoming impossible in about 5 years to come, immediately they start bauxite work in this area. It is something we cannot risk,” he said.

It emerged on Tuesday that the government was looking at leveraging its natural resources especially bauxite to contract the $15 billion loan from the Chinese government.

According to the Economic Adviser to the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Boako, the government through the agreement will construct bauxite refineries which will generate enough income to settle the loan.

But according to Mr. Bosu, it is not economical to do so comparing the cost benefit analysis of keeping the forest intact and opting for mining.

He said besides the stress it will put on the country’s water resources, some of the world’s endangered animal species currently found in the Atiwa forest will be lost as a result of government’s planned venture.

“The bauxite industry that we are talking about, if we really go for it, we can only have it for about 20 years. If you want to look at the long-term sustainability of a country you don’t risk losing all your eggs today,” he noted.

“If we want to really look in the future, we need to find ways of sustainably exploring the resources that we have without necessarily eroding the natural capital. Bauxite mining will completely destroy this forest reserve which is significant to biodiversity, water, and several other ecosystem services,” he added.

Sacrificing Atiwa Forest for ‘China Bauxite’ wrong – Inusah Fuseini

Meanwhile, the Former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, has indicated that, the potential mining of Bauxite could see the forest reserve in Kyebi compromised.

He told Citi News in an interview that, “the bauxite at Kyebi is low grade, but it is under the Kyebi forest reserve which has been declared a global biodiversity area because of the presence of exotic species.”

“The UN is protecting the forest to ensure that we continue to get the benefit of these exotic species, the plants, and fauna that are in the forest…if you do national resource accounting, the resources over there, which is renewable, is definitely more than $15 billion dollars,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bauxite ‘mortaging’: 5m Ghanaians to lose access to potable water – NGO appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Voicing some concerns on the developments, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, indicated that, potential mining of Bauxite could see the forest reserve in Kyebi compromised.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mwoDSIJPO19BdZdMonxp6L8HFjGTgmiq”]Aside bauxite from Nyinahin, which could be explored, the former Lands and Natural Resources Minister noted that “the bauxite at Kyebi is low grade, but it is under the Kyebi forest reserve which has been declared a global biodiversity area because of the presence of exotic species.”

“The UN is protecting the forest to ensure that we continue to get the benefit of these exotic species, the plants and fauna that are in the forest.”

That particular forest reserve also serves as a catchment area for some rivers; the Birim and the Pra, the MP added.

Thus, Alhaji Fuseini intimated that, the effect on the environment would not be worth the money to be gained from the Chinese because, “if you do national resource accounting, the resources over there, which is renewable, is definitely more than $15 billion dollars.”

He noted further that, government would have to do a cost-benefit analysis of the situation “because if the forest is destroyed, we lose the protection under the UN, secondly, we risk losing the natural water that flows from the reserves and serves as drinking water for many people whose communities are benefiting from the river bodies.”

This will result in challenges with the UN because the area is protected and problems with communities that are there “because the mining of the reserves will destroy the water bodies.”

In light of all these, the MP said all would be revealed when the deal is brought before Parliament.

“It will be interesting to know what conspiracies have gone into leveraging our bauxite for a Chinese facility and I know that if that is the case, the whole transaction would have to come before Parliament,” he said.

According to the analysis of A Rocha Ghana, a conservationist NGO, which visited the area in May 2017, bauxite extraction would reduce the value of the Atiwa Forest for water consumption by $386.9 million over 30 years, and for agricultural water by $22.7 million with the estimated economic gains from bauxite deemed as much smaller in comparison.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Sacrificing Atiwa Forest for ‘China Bauxite’ wrong – Inusah Fuseini appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.