Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed that government has finalized arrangement with Chinese firm Sino-Hydro on the $ 2 billion bauxite deal.
$1 billion would be used for massive infrastructural development in the country.
“We are changing the narratives in the extractive sector. We have not benefitted really from our natural resources, but this time every one coming to do mining in the country would pay a commensurate measure on proceeds; you are going to pay your tithe also in the mining sector.”
He said the road sector, housing, technology and innovation would be prioritised in Ghana’s quest for economic independence.
Currently, Ghana’s bauxite reserves stand at 900,000,000 metric tonnes, and the state’s integrated aluminum corporation continues to seek joint ventureship and other helpful partnership that would make the resource a blessing to the country.
“This time, we are working very hard to maximize the benefits of all natural resources through policy interventions and new arrangement with investors to ensure that Ghana benefits much from all these resources,” the Vice President added.
The Vice President disclosed this at the 2018 Kuntum Festival of the chiefs and people of the Essikado Traditional Area in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis under the theme, ‘Culture; the Powerhouse for community development.”
The Vice President told the people that government was pursuing aggressive strategies in all sectors of the country’s economy to propel government’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ initiative.
The Vice President, therefore, called on all Ghanaians to make service to country the major precedence, exhibit good behaviour and character traits to enable posterity to have a good memory about the present generation in the near future.
Joe Ghartey, Member of Parliament for the Essikado/Ketan, stressed the need to adhere to the country’s cultural values and spirit beyond independence to ensure Ghana’s total freedom.
Anthony K.K. Sam, the Chief Executive of STMA, commended Nana Kobina Nketsia V, for upholding the traditions of the forefathers and exhibiting good leadership qualities.
He noted that the theme for the celebration was apt and called on the youth to be proud of the country’s rich culture and shun negative practices.
Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, urged the people to let their ancestral celebration foster goodwill and more importantly heighten awareness of indigenous heritage and traditions.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Essikado