Concerned Farmers Warn Against Interference in Lands Commission’s Duty
Our Correspondent, Terchire
The Concerned Farmers Association of Afrisipakrom, Terchire, Susuanso and Adrobaa in the Ahafo Region has issued a stern warning against what it perceives as Newmont’s undue influence over the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission’s compensation process.
The Association insists that the mining company, as the beneficiary of the acquisition, must not take over the Commission’s statutory responsibility to assess and pay compensation according to law.
Addressing the media at Terchire on Monday, November 2, the Chairman of the Association, John Mensah, said the way the matter has been handled gives the farmers the clear impression that Newmont is directing the process to their disadvantage.
“Newmont is the beneficiary of the acquisition. It is not the State. It must not take over the Lands Commission’s responsibility to assess and pay compensation according to law,” he stated.
He explained that the company’s petition describing the structures of 21 farmers as “speculative,” submitted to the Lands Commission in a letter dated June 9, 2026, is part of a pattern of interference designed to delay and deny compensation.
“We also want to respond to Newmont’s petition to the Lands Commission describing our structures as ‘speculative’. We reject this claim. We are concerned that this petition is delaying the payment of compensation by the Lands Commission for our structures under compulsory acquisition E.I. 273 of 2024,” he said.
“Our position is clear: our structures are not speculative under either the mining laws or the Land Act. We strongly reject the claim that our structures are ‘speculative’.
“These structures existed long before Newmont planned to extend its mining operations into our area. We lived in them and used them for farming and other farming-related businesses. They were part of our everyday lives and the means by which we supported our families.
“It is deeply unfair to take our lands, destroy our properties and then describe those properties as ‘speculative’ when it is time to pay compensation,” he averred.
THE COMMISSION MUST EXERCISE ITS OWN JUDGMENT
Mr Mensah, therefore, called on the Lands Commission to resist external pressure and apply the law fairly.
“The way this matter has been handled gives us the impression that Newmont is directing the process to our disadvantage. The Commission must exercise its own judgment, apply the law fairly and protect the rights of affected property owners,” he said.
He demanded that the Land Valuation Division carry out its duties independently, without improper influence or compromises that undermine the farmers’ rights.
“We call on the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission to carry out their duties independently, without improper influence or compromises that undermine our rights,” he stated.
THE LEGAL DUTY OF THE COMMISSION
Mr Mensah reminded the Commission of its statutory obligation under the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).
“The Lands Commission, through the Land Valuation Division, has a legal duty in this process assessing compensation when the Government acquires land. We reiterate: when Government acquires land, the Land Act also requires the Lands Commission to assess and pay prompt, fair and adequate compensation,” he said.
He stressed that the State, not Newmont, is the acquiring authority, and that the Commission’s duty runs to the affected landowners, not to the mining company.
“Newmont is the beneficiary of the acquisition. It is not the State,” he reiterated.
THE DEMANDS
Further, Mr Mensah used the platform to reiterate their demands to the Lands Commission: to resolve outstanding issues and pay compensation for all structures under E.I. 273 of 2024; to urgently pay members affected by E.I. 356 of 2023 who have received nothing for almost three years; and to provide a clear written explanation of any outstanding issues with a definite timetable for payment.
“We ask the Commission to resolve the outstanding issues without further delay and pay compensation for all our structures under E.I. 273.
“We also call for urgent payment to our members affected by E.I. 356, who have received nothing since their properties were taken almost three years ago.
“The Commission must give us a clear written explanation of any outstanding issues and a definite timetable for payment. We cannot continue waiting without knowing when this suffering will end,” he said.
“There is also the separate case of other farmers whose lands and properties were taken under E.I. 356 of 2023. Those members have received no compensation at all,” he added.
AN APPEAL TO THE MEDIA
The Chairman concluded with an appeal to the media to bring the farmers’ concerns to the public and help ensure that their voices are heard.
“Our lands have been taken for the project but our families continue to bear the hardship of unpaid compensation. We ask for fair treatment, respect for our rights and payment without further delay.
“We appeal to the media to bring our concerns to the public and help ensure that our voices are heard,” he stated.
He said the Association has followed every process placed before it and now expects the Lands Commission to fulfil its duty.
“We have attended meetings, allowed our properties to be inspected and recorded, worked through our lawyers and valuers and followed the processes placed before us. We now call on the Lands Commission to fulfil its duty,” he stated.
