The Upper East Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, Sarah Bachon-Ene Mwinibuobu Bamie, has called on Maripoma Mining Services Limited to support fish farming as an alternative livelihood for young people in Zongoiri and surrounding communities. This appeal was made during a public hearing organised by the Environmental Protection Authority on the company's proposed surface gold mining and processing project. The project may affect water bodies and rivers in the area but also presents development opportunities if managed properly.
According to Mrs Bamie, five communities will be directly affected by the proposed project, and provisions will be made to address their needs. She suggested that the mining company include aquaculture training in its livelihood restoration programme to support residents who might lose existing sources of income or struggle to find employment at the mine. This initiative could provide sustainable employment opportunities and contribute to food security in the affected communities.
Mrs Bamie proposed organising young people into cooperatives and equipping them with fish farming skills. She explained that adopting the cooperative model and supporting training in aquaculture skills could create sustainable employment opportunities. This approach would be particularly beneficial for unskilled workers who may not benefit directly from employment opportunities at the mine.
The Fisheries Director also appealed to residents to support the proposed mining project and engage constructively with the company over concerns about its potential environmental and social impacts. She urged community members to remain patient and reconsider positions that could hinder dialogue, stressing the need for cooperation between residents and the mining company.
Mrs Bamie maintained that cooperation among residents, the mining company, and relevant institutions would be necessary to address community concerns and ensure that development opportunities benefited affected households. She commended stakeholders for their participation in the public hearing and described the engagement as successful.
The proposed mining project has raised concerns about its potential environmental and social impacts on the affected communities. However, Mrs Bamie believes that with proper management, the project can bring development opportunities to the area. She encouraged residents to work with the mining company to address their concerns and ensure that the project benefits the community.
The public hearing was organised by the Environmental Protection Authority to discuss the proposed surface gold mining and processing project by Maripoma Mining Services Limited. The project is expected to have both positive and negative impacts on the environment and the local communities. Key stakeholders, including the Fisheries Director, participated in the hearing to ensure that the concerns of the affected communities are addressed.
Key points
- The Fisheries Director suggests that Maripoma Mining Services Limited include aquaculture training in its livelihood restoration programme.
- The proposed mining project may affect water bodies and rivers in the area but also presents development opportunities if managed properly.
- Cooperation among residents, the mining company, and relevant institutions is necessary to address community concerns and ensure that development opportunities benefited affected households.
