THE PRESENCE OF LARGE-SCALE MINING COMPANIES IN TALENSI; A BLESSING OR A CURSE
The indigenous Talensi man discovered gold in the Eastern part of Talensi in the early 90s. It started with the local mining term called “domah, domah”. During those days, the pits used to cave in leading to injuries and sometimes deaths. Within just a year, the local miners improved in the methodology of mining which led to a drastic reduction in accidents at mining sites; Naara bok, Obuasi, Kejetia, Tarkwa and Accra. Later on, communities such as Duusi, Yale, Yameriga, Sawaliga, Sok, Kpatia etc went into surface mining. In an attempt to operate legally and responsibly, the small-scale miners went through due process to acquire concessions individually and in groups.
This move made their operations more formal and legitimate.One may ask, where from the names; Kejetia, Obuasi, Tarkwa, and Accra site? The local miners nicknamed the various mining sites with those names. Currently, a large portion of Earl’s mining concession sits on Obuasi and Kejetia, known as the Gbane Mine. Cardinal Namdini mine occupies the then Accra site and other community lands. It is undoubtedly clear that the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Talensi has contributed significantly to wealth creation, employment, and the general improvement of the livelihoods of not only Talensi people but many Ghanaians. Conspicuously, most businesses experience downward performance anytime the artisanal and small-scale mining activities slow down. This is a clear indication that small-scale mining is a major and significant factor in business growth in Talensi.
Many businesses fold up when conditions are not favourable for small-scale miners. This usually affects local revenue mobilization. Although the artisanal and small-scale mining are contributing greatly to the development of Talensi, there are few challenges that require urgent attention. In recent years, there is a surge in school dropouts in Talensi as some of the basic and secondary school students swap their books for quick cash at the mining sites.
The few who managed to stay in the classrooms have a divided attention as they try to use one eye to look into two bottles. Some of the students go to the mining during instructional hours leading to low performance. Other challenges include teenage pregnancies, early marriages etc. However, the above challenges are arguably leadership and parental failure.
The large scale mining companies in Talensi especially Earl International Group formally known as Shaanxi Mining at Gbane has employed many Talensi youth and Ghanaians in general over the years. Earl usually employed the youth and trained them on the various skills to work. However, people have reservations relative to compensation (salary), safety and health insurance of their workers.
Others are not comfortable with their mode of suspension and dismissal of employees with disregard to the labour laws of Ghana. Some employees are not comfortable with the inhumane treatment meted out to them. The Chinese allegedly abuse workers physically and verbally. The recent closure of pits, alleged shooting incident which resulted to injuries of Kofi Macho’s workers and the seizure of his mning equipment is distasteful to say the least. Cardinal on the other hand appears to be rigid leading to complete disregard of the Talensi youth.
Majority of our youth who were engaged at the preliminary stages of the mine were not considered for employment when the company commenced mining though they acquired enough experience from the various departments; mechanical, electrical, geology, sampling, security, transport and other sectors. It is alleged that some top officials in management of Cardinal described Talensi youth as thieves and that they should not come closer to Cardinal’s main security.
This position is held strongly as about six Chinese are employed as security officers and other Ghanaians who are not from the Upper East Region. There is Cardinal security and the security provided by a third party. The conditions of service at the Cardinal’s main security are far better than the other one. That alleged thievery tag did not sit well with the discerning citizens of Talensi. The conduct of the companies has angered the youth. Majority of them are struggling to come to terms with the neglect of them by companies. Should they throw their hands into the air in despair when there is political and traditional leadership? Maybe, the answer to the question will come from the gods.
Hitherto the coming of these large-scale mining companies, the Talensi people were living in peace and harmony. Communities had a cordial relationship, working together in the general interest of Talensi. Community leaders were in control bringing every clan head together to take decisions for development. The youth and women were not left out in any engagement process. We had youth and women leaders in communities known as Bihinaabs and poanaabs respectively who worked with community stakeholders to bring the youth together for development.
Today, because of the presence of these companies and the so-called associated benefits, some communities are not ready to collaborate any longer. The sweet relationship has suddenly turned to sour if not bitter. Certain leaders have thrown the tradition of Talensi to the dogs. Some leaders are battling for authority and supremacy over areas where their jurisdictions are questioned. Some of the leaders are silent, and others, their voices are not loud enough to cause a positive change. Could this be greed or ignorance?In a democratic country, when there is a challenge in the community that poses a security threat, political leadership mediates as a neutral arbitrator to resolve the issues. It is an undeniable fact that certain traditional rulers and some youth groups are not on the same page relative to the corporate social responsibility agreements (MoU) between Talensi and the companies. However, it appears there is no commitment from stakeholders to resolve the issues.
It is not too late to engage. We are one people with a common goal of developing Talensi. Talensi has a track record of disagreeing to agree. The youth can not work in isolation, neither the traditional leadership nor the political leadership. There should be an absolute synergy between these groups to give Talensi a fair deal. All what the ordinary Talensi people want is getting what is due them. Isn’t it possible? Yes, it is. This is a challenge that is surmountable. Talensi will come out more united, formidable and resilient, ready to tackle the developmental and unemployment challenges in Talensi.Talensi must strategically position itself well to leverage on the presence of these companies to develop Talensi and its environs now or never. Talensi should be guided by the popular phrase that says make hay while the sun shines. The river is currently having enough water. It will be complete ignorance for a few community members to be at the riverbank sacking colleague community members from utilising the water.
Remember that gold is an uneven and a finite resource. When it is finished, the Chinese will not seek your consent before packing home. They will not mend your cracks resulted from their presence. There may be diseases, famine, degraded lands, poverty, social vices, etc, before or after they are gone. There that, Talensi will then experience the reality of the popular saying that “had I known is always at last”. It is in this regard that the traditional council, youth, political leaders, assembly members and major stakeholders should collaborate to transparently engage the people of Talensi to come out with a fair deal that reflects the general interest of Talensi people to the admiration of all.The presence of these mining companies should be a blessing not a curse. Let present and future generations applaud us for taking bold and productive decisions for and on behalf of them.For God and country
source:mywordfmonline.com