Dear Mr. Allotey,
It has come to my attention that communities living on the Iduapriem concession are suffering from the lack of access to safe water. Since mining started, streams have fallen dry and community members report that the existing stand pipes are not adequate and that they experience water pollution. Recent analyses done by the Water Research Institute on behalf of FIAN have confirmed that the company is discharging waste water including faecal matter from the company's staff quarters into the environment without any treatment. This is a serious threat to the Right to Food and Water of those who come into contact with the effluents.
It has also come to my attention that communities living on the Iduapriem concession find it difficult to feed themselves as a result of the take-over of their farmlands by the mining company, Anglogold Ashanti. Members of the affected communities, especially women, now have to walk several kilometres to look for new farmlands. The communities urgently need farm lands which are close to their community to guarantee their access to food and their livelihood.
Ghana is a State Party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and is therefore obliged by international law to respect, protect and fulfil the right to food and water. Furthermore, as a State Party to the African Charter on Human Rights, Ghana has the obligation to ensure that "All people shall have the right to their economic, social and cultural development with due regard to their freedom and identity and in the equal enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind" (Article 22). Additionally, Article 21.5 says that "States parties to the present Charter shall undertake to eliminate all forms of foreign economic exploitation particularly that practised by international monopolies so as to enable their peoples to fully benefit from the advantages derived from their national resources".
In view of the above, I respectfully ask you to
o investigate the current status of access to water for local communities as well as the safety of water sources.
o ensure that immediate steps are taken to guarantee the provision of clean and adequate water for all the communities affected by the operations of Anglogold Ashanti, Iduapriem Limited.
o install independent monitoring of water quality on the Iduapriem concession with the participation of the local communities.
o ensure that communities are provided with replacement land which is within easy reach of the community.
o ensure that community members can move freely and that they are equally protected from harassments by security personnel.
I would be grateful, Sir, if you could keep me informed of the steps you are taking in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
