MINING DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union has commended Parliament for passing the Mining Development Fund to pool royalties from mining activities towards socio-economic development of mining communities across the country. 

The Union has however called on the government to come out with the rules and regulations as well as the structures of the Fund with representation from critical stakeholders including the Union.

 This will enable the nation to deliver the mining communities from the quagmire of deprivation and impoverishment. 

The Union expressed regret that most mining communities have become shanty towns and blamed it on the problem of misapplication of the royalties generated from the vast mineral endowment in those areas. 

Speaking at a National Executive Council’s Meeting of the Union in Kumasi, the General Secretary, Prince William Ankrah, noted that the state of infrastructural deficit and worsening conditions in mining towns in the country has continued to widen at an alarming proportion. 
 

He noted that mineworkers have over the years advocated  on many platforms for a paradigm shift from how the country has managed royalties to a system where inflows from mining activities are coordinated, well accounted for and committed to specific infrastructural projects, particularly in mining communities.

"It is therefore important particularly for government, to focus its attention on the poor state of infrastructure in mining communities and initiate sustainable livelihood programmes beyond mining that will ensure that these communities remain vibrant, productive and useful to its inhabitants", the General Secretary stressed.

 Mr. Ankrah also appealed to the government to give priority attention to dealing with encroachment on legal mining concessions by galamsey operators. 

This will ensure security and safety to mineworkers while protecting investment by foreigners in the mining sector to boost the national economy.