Newmont Ghana and trad leaders promote transparency
Newmont Ghana is committed to transparency and open and honest communication. This is evidenced by our commitment to a number of international conventions including the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Partners Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) with respect to payments to local leaders. Similarly, the presence of Newmont Ghana’s operations and projects brings about considerable focus on the role and responsibility of traditional leaders in the communities around our project areas. The numerous visits to the operating and project areas by Newmont officials, government officers, NGO personnel, consultants and others imposes on the time of the community and its leaders for meetings, discussions, and other interactions. The traditional leaders, in particular, are often required to attend many meetings and manage issues that come about due to Newmont Ghana’s presence. We recognize the impacts of these activities and have elected to work with the traditional councils to defray some of the extraordinary expenses related to our business presence and activity. Since 2006 (Ahafo) and early April 2008 (Akyem) Newmont Ghana has developed Memorandum of Understanding agreements with the traditional councils to provide funds in recognition of these extraordinary expenses and demands due to our activities. The funds are paid to the traditional councils and Newmont Ghana is committed to transparency relative to the process and have requested that these agreements remain public. In this case, the Akyem traditional leaders have graciously given explicit permission that the details of the agreements be made public. Please see the attached agreement letters concerning these arrangements and the contributions. All of these agreements have been signed by the relevant traditional leaders and Newmont Ghana. Newmont Ghana and the traditional leaders desire to make these agreements public in the interests of full transparency about our relationship with local communities.
