Assessing Environmental and Human Rights Effects of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited’s Ahafo North and Akyem Projects
Ghana is endowed with rich mineral resources, including gold, bauxite and other minerals. The exploitation of these mineral resources has attracted mining giants like Newmont, AngloGold Ashan among others to mine gold in Ghana. Revenues and corporate social responsibility initiatives from these companies have contributed to socio-economic development nationally and in mining communities. However, as Idemudia et al. (2020) note in their paper “Mining, the Environment, and Human Rights in Ghana: An Area of Limited Statehood Perspective”, these developmental initiatives by extractive companies have still not addressed communities' complaints of violations of their fundamental human rights. That is, environmental and other fundamental human rights of community members in mining areas are violated on a daily basis. This has resulted in increasingly tense relationships between mining communities and extractive industries, which serves as a reminder of the profound effects of mining companies' actions on host communities. Tensions, complaints and disputes arise from mining operations' frequent disruption of livelihoods, displacement of communities and encroachment on traditional lands (Ofosu-Mensah, 2012). According to the existing literature on the extractive industry, community marginalisation and other negative externalities fuel resentment and dissatisfaction (Davis and Franks, 2011; Roche et al., 2021; Sekher et al., 2022). It is within this context that this study was undertaken to assess the extent of human and environmental rights violations in communities within Newmont's Ahafo North and Akyem concessions.
The study results revealed that Newmont's land acquisition processes are inconsistent with provisions spelt out in relevant laws such as the 1992 Constitution, the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703) and Minerals and Mining (compensation and resettlement) regulations, 2012 (LI 2175). This has negatively impacted the rights of residents, especially women and PWDs, in areas such as the right to property, work, freedom of movement and personal liberty, among others. Similarly, the failure of Newmont Akyem and Ahafo North management to fulfil compensation prompt, fair and adequate compensation obligations with affected community members within their concessions has created animosity, which often results in violent confrontations with local communities. Consequently, community members resort to resistance as a counter-hegemonic response to the adverse effects of mining activities and ill-conceived government policies for managing mineral extraction. It can therefore be concluded that the company's operations have imposed severe and disproportionate hardships on affected residents, including loss of land, disruption of livelihoods, restricted access to economic resources and weakened community autonomy. These impacts have undermined the dignity, security and socio-economic rights of project-affected persons and communities. Government and other relevant stakeholders must work to ensure that the rights of affected residents within the company's operational areas are respected.
This report was produced by the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) and Wacam as part of a broader civil society initiative to document and address human rights violations in Ghana's mining sector. The findings draw on field research conducted in 2024–2025 in communities within the concessions of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited's Ahafo North and Akyem Mine projects.
