Dr. Peter Twum speaking with the media after the walk
The Nyinahin youth in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have appealed to Parliament to ratify the Ashanti Bauxite Limited (ABL) mining lease as the House reconvenes for an emergency session today, Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
During a peaceful demonstration, residents expressed frustration over the delay, emphasising the critical role the lease plays in the region’s development.
The group’s spokesperson, Dr. Peter Twum, said the ratification is the final step required to pave the way for developing a bauxite mine and refinery in Nyinahin and surrounding communities.
“Whoever opposes the ratification of the ABL mining lease is an enemy of progress, and we will never forgive that person,” Dr. Twum warned.
“This is the closest we have come to seeing something as major as a bauxite mine with a refinery solution developed in our area. We have been sitting on these bauxite resources since Ghana was founded, yet our people remain impoverished with no job opportunities for the youth. All we ask is for Parliament to hear our request and ratify the mining lease,” he added.
Dr. Twum further stressed that the development of the bauxite mine and refinery will address significant infrastructure deficits and the lack of social amenities such as schools, hospitals, roads, and utilities in the affected communities.
He believes this will significantly boost the local economy and tackle high unemployment rates, especially among the youth.
“We commend the partners of the ABL Joint Venture (JV), the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), and Rocksure International for this initiative. However, all these plans cannot come to fruition if Parliament does not ratify the mining lease. This is why every member of the community is on the street, calling on Parliament to do the needful,” Dr. Twum stated.
He also recounted the numerous job opportunities and economic benefits experienced during the initial stages of the project when Rocksure International conducted a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to assess the bauxite resources within its concession area.
“Over 100 direct and indirect jobs were created just at the MRE stage alone, with local artisans, property owners, market women, and others benefiting significantly. Imagine the economic impact when a full-scale bauxite mine and refinery are established,” he added.
Background
In September 2021, the GIADEC partnered with Rocksure International Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, for Project 2, aimed at developing a bauxite mine with a refinery solution.
Rocksure successfully completed and submitted a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) report confirming the presence of bauxite in commercial quantities within its concession area, covering hills four, five, and six of the Nyinahin range.
The MRE report was presented to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on November 14, 2023, and to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
In March 2022, the Asantehene gave his blessings to the partnership between GIADEC and Rocksure International to execute Project 2, which aims to develop a mine and refinery in Nyinahin-Mpasaaso.
A Joint Venture (JV) company known as Ashanti Bauxite Limited (ABL) has been established between GIADEC and Rocksure to build the mine and develop the refinery.
The Government of Ghana, after ensuring that ABL has the necessary resources, agreed to grant the company a mining lease.
The lease, signed by the company’s representatives and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, now awaits parliamentary ratification as required by Article 268(1) of the Constitution and Section 5(4) of Act 703.
A Daily Guide Report