Nana Decries Underdevelopment In Mining Communities

President Akufo-Addo launches WAMPEX

President Akufo-Addo has bemoaned underdevelopment in mining communities across the country.

According to him, “Some gains have been made, but many challenges remain.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the 2018 West African Mining and Power Exhibition and Conference (WAMPOC and WAMPEX) in Accra, he indicated that “the mining sector makes very important contributions to the generation of our country’s revenue.

He said that figures from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) indicate that except for the year 2014, in the past six years the mining sector has provided the largest tax base.

Concerns

“But the truth must be told, it’s difficult for the average Ghanaian to appreciate that the country gains substantially from mining. It probably has to do with the fact that the communities in which mining has been done remain largely underdeveloped, and do not show signs of being the origins of what brings wealth to so many people and places,” he added.

For years, the President said “we were told the mine in Obuasi was the richest gold mine in the world. The question is justifiably asked: how come Obuasi does not show any sign that it’s the home of the richest gold mine in the world?”

He said “the contrast between Obuasi and Johannesburg, for example, is stark and compelling.”

The President expressed concern about the activities of illegal miners, popularly called ‘galamseyers.’

Galamsey, he said, has been fueled not only by the unemployment problem that has blighted the nation but also the unhealthy desire for quick riches.

He, therefore, called on players in the mining sector to help create jobs for the country’s youth.

He revealed that “a large amount of spending by mining companies leaks from the domestic economy through the importation of several tools and equipment which Ghana has the capacity to produce.”

Resolve

President Akufo-Addo insisted that “it’s time to reverse this trend. Ghanaian entrepreneurs must be encouraged to work with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Chamber to identify opportunities in the value chain where indigenous companies can manufacture these products locally.”

President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Kwame Addo Kufuor, on his part, lauded government’s plan to improve the mining sector’s contribution to local and national development.

“This is aligned with the Africa mining vision and its aim for a knowledge driven Africa mining sector that catalyses and contributes to broad based growth and development.

To this end, he stressed the need for mining companies to continue to respect the mining laws and regulations in the country.

“We must ensure that impacted communities and the public are recognized, respected and duly benefit from presence of operations; that the interest of our employees are catered for, that environmental obligations are fully met – and that the efforts of those who have invested to deliver costly, complex long-life mining projects and operations are also recognized.

“Stakeholders working together in open, honest and harmonious dialogue will grow the sector and retain Ghana’s competitiveness as a destination of choice for mining investment.”

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent

 

 

 

 

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