Residents of the Tutuka enclave in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo region have suspended their three-day protest against Newmont at Kenyasi.
The suspension comes after the intervention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources regarding unpaid resettlement money.
The residents had been picketing for three days to demand payment of resettlement funds amounting to GHS 21 million from the gold mining company.
The intervention by the Ministry, alongside local chiefs, the Ahafo Regional Minister, and the Asutifi North District Chief Executive, has brought a temporary halt to the protest.
The Saamanhene of Kenyasi No. 1, Nana Anim Dankwah, addressed the picketers on behalf of the Ministry and local authorities.
He announced that following a closed-door meeting with the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Newmont’s management in Accra, the Ministry has committed to engaging with the company’s managers in Denver, USA, within a week to ensure the payment is made to the affected residents.
Nana Anim Dankwah assured the residents that the chiefs would exert all possible pressure on Newmont to secure the payment, urging them to remain calm and await a positive outcome from the Ministry’s efforts.
In an interview with Adom News, one of the leaders of the aggrieved residents, Nana Kwabena Amoateng, confirmed the suspension of the protest.
He warned, however, that if Newmont fails to provide a satisfactory response within the promised timeframe, the residents will resume their picketing.
Amoateng also revealed that, the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council has assured them of reimbursing the expenses incurred during the protest.
