About 900 residents of Wassa Togbekrom in the Wassa East District of the Western region massed up on the street of Wassa Togbekrom to register their frustrations against Golden Star Wassa Mine Ltd. for destroying their farmlands and water bodies but failing to employ youth from the community.
In 2013, Golden Star Wassa Mine Ltd. signed a resettlement and employment memorandum with the Togbekrom community when the mining company needed their lands for mining activity.
The people of Togbekrom, however, were relocated to Wassa Ateiku due to the health risks associated with mining activities.
Despite the agreement between the Golden Star Wassa Mines and residents, only one part of the memo has been fulfilled.
Enoch Obeng, who is the convenor and also a spokesperson for Togbekrom residents, explained that their forefathers, who migrated from the Volta region to Western Region, acquired lands in the Wassa East district, where they have been farming for decades.
He added that due to the economic hardship and failure on the part of the mining company to employ the youth as it promised, most of the youth have turned drunkards in the community.
The residents are therefore calling on the mining company to give the youth at least 30 slots of fixed-term employment.
Mr. Zacharia Issah who is the Community affairs manager of Golden Star Wassa mine Ltd declined all efforts made to get the company’s side of the issue.