Gold Exploration in West Africa

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"Private Detention Facilities" for Ghana galimseys?

Group accuses mining companies
MyJoyOnline News; Posted: Jun 14 2005

The Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) has asked the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to expedite investigations into allegations of human rights abuses by some mining companies.

The association says an increasing number of mining companies are taking the law into their own hands, meting out punishment to people arrested for illegal mining.

It particularly wants CHRAJ to intervene to ensure the closure of private detention facilities being operated by some mining companies.

The association is also worried about the use of wild dogs to arrest suspected illegal miners.

The President of WACAM, Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, says if CHRAJ does not intervene, the situation could get out of hand.