Residents of Terchire-Camp in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region on Monday disrupted operations at a mining site owned by Newmont Corporation, protesting what they describe as unpaid compensation and delays in resettlement linked to the Ahafo North project.
Dressed in red and wielding flags, the demonstrators stormed the site amid chanting, drumming, and dancing, effectively bringing activities to a standstill.
The protest represents a renewed escalation in protracted tensions between the community and the mining firm, centred on concerns over land acquisition and the disruption of livelihoods. Residents allege that portions of their farmlands have been appropriated without full compensation, while several affected households remain without relocation despite earlier assurances.
In addition to compensation concerns, the residents raised safety issues, claiming that ongoing blasting activities have caused structural damage to homes and contaminated local water sources.
“We are not against development,” said Adjin-Frimpong, a resident. “But we deserve dignity, fairness, and the right to live in safety.”
Another resident, Gausu Mohammed, expressed similar concerns, stating that frequent explosions have instilled fear among children and led to visible cracks in buildings. He further accused authorities of failing to respond adequately to repeated petitions from the community.
Residents also contend that a previously agreed stakeholder “roadmap”—which required the full payment of compensation and the completion of resettlement processes prior to continued mining—has not been adhered to.
The situation prompted intervention by the Tano North Municipal Chief Executive, Pius Opoku, who sought to de-escalate tensions. However, residents maintain that they will persist with their protests until their grievances are addressed, and have called on national authorities and international human rights organisations to intervene.
