Scores of residents of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region have dragged gold mining firm Anglo Gold Ashanti to the Kumasi High Court for damages, as the over 150 people seek compensation for health related complications contracted through the company�s operation of their Pompora Treatment Plant (PTP) in the area for many years.
The group claims that Anglo Gold Ashanti refused to disclose to residents living in surrounding areas of their operation of the PTP, after conducting various tests on them the presence of arsenic trioxide above permissible levels and that the dermal and various illnesses associated with arsenic suffered by the people were linked to the PTP plant emissions of gases fumes.
According to the residents, they have been exposed to the dust and fumes from arsenic and its compounds and that the operation of the PTP has seriously affected them through breathing in the dust and fumes, absorption through the skin as well as by eating foods contaminated with arsenic dust.
They are therefore praying the Kumasi High Court to institute punitive damages against Anglo Gold Ashanti for failing to disclose to the people the true extent of their health status and serious effect of the escape of hazardous chemicals and fumes their activities in the area.
Speaking on Okay FM, a native of the area, Sampson Adjei stated that Anglo Gold Ashanti had taken advantage of their vulnerability and imposed upon them strange diseases which was making some of them look like AIDS patients, whilst both men and women are having their private parts deteriorating.
As a result of the toxic substance which has contaminated the area, Sampson Adjei stated that they had been warned not to enjoy rain water from the skies nor water bodies.
He noted that people who hadn�t heed to the caution have seen their skin wear off whiles some have developed strange swollens on their legs.
The sad part of the story according to Mr. Adjei is that despite the numerous negotiations they have held with authorities of Anglo Gold Ashanti, they have made no efforts to curb the menace by providing the constituents with a health facility.
Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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