After failed attempts to kick-start its Nkosuo project, Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited (PMGL) has now engaged the Queen-mother of Denkyira Traditional Council (DTC), Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III, to impress upon the Concerned Farmers Association, Breman (CFAB) to allow them space to work, DAILY Analyst report.
A letter from the DTC, dated April 2, 2024, signed by the Registrar of DTC, Henry Effah Adjei, and sighted by DAILY Analyst, confirms an invitation to members of CFAB to attend an urgent meeting with the Denkyirahemaa, Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III/Denkyira Traditional Council at Odeefuo Boa Amponsem Palace at Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region on Friday, April 5, 2024.
The letter goes on to explain that the invitation is contingent on a complaint lodged by PMGL at the Odeefuo Boa Amponsem Palace.
At the said meeting convened by the Denkyirahemaa with about thirty-eight (38) members of the CFAB in attendance on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Odeefuo Boa Amponsem Palace, Nana Saara III made it clear to the farmers that Perseus has been given the license to undertake its Nkosuo mining project, hence it is imperative they understand that and begin negotiating for compensation from the company.
“You must understand that government which has given Perseus the license to mine has security apparatus including the BNI and the Police to ensure that the mining company carries out its operations without any hindrances,” the Denkyirahemaa was reported to have warned during the meeting.
In attendance were about 38 CFAB members and representatives from COCOBOD and Minerals Commission (MinComm) and the District Chief Executive for the area (DCE).
But according to reports the meeting ended abruptly following a heated argument that ensued between the officials of COCOBOD and MinComm present who both stated that they had a stake in the issue.
While COCOBOD officials were unhappy at this new twist, the MinComm representatives indicated that Perseus has been granted a permit to undertake its new mining project.
The development, the paper gathered, compelled the Denkyirahemaa to give the two government agencies a two-week ultimatum to resolve their differences and report back to her.
Meanwhile, this latest move by the Denkyirahemaa has been vehemently rejected by members of the CFAB who see it as a last-minute attempt to help Perseus carry out its new operations which would largely destroy their cocoa and other cash crop farms and render them incapable of fending for their families.
Speaking with DAILY Analyst on condition of anonymity, the visibly disappointed farmers pointed out that it was obvious the Denkyirahemaa was fronting for and doing the bidding of Perseus.
According to the farmers, the open bias showed towards them during the meeting by Nana Saara III was enough reason that she was hell-bent on ensuring that the Nkosuo project comes off amid destruction of their cocoa and other food crops.
While Perseus were given ample time to make their case at the meeting, only three out of the 38 members who attended the meeting were asked to speak,” they lamented.
“For us our position remains unchanged: we will continue our cocoa farming and other food crops. Farming is what we have been doing to fend for ourselves and our families and there’s no way we are going to sell our cocoa for gold. We are even super-excited that today a bag of cocoa has been increased and that’s incentive for us to produce more cocoa for export,” the farmers said.
In 2023, PMGL received license from Minerals Commission (MinComm) to extend its concession in three communities in the Upper Denkyira West District.
The three communities are Breman, Nkotimso and Nkonya in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region.
Following the granting of license, Perseus declared a Moratorium on the construction of buildings, and planting of crops at the 289.6 hectares of land designated for mining activities.
