President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines; Eric Asubonteng speaking at the National House of Chiefs
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has expressed dissatisfaction at the percentage of mineral royalties earmarked for the development of mining communities under the Minerals Development Act. The Chamber says the percentage assigned to the communities is inadequate. The Chamber is also concerned about drawings on the relatively meagre percentage allotted the communities for recurrent expenditure. The Chamber stressed the need for the money to go directly into developing infrastructure in the various communities.
The Chamber expressed their concern when they made a donation of One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis to the National House of Chiefs towards renovation works on the office complex of the House.
The donation was made during a visit by the Ghana Beyond Aid Committee to consult with the house on the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter and Strategy Document.
The Chamber used the opportunity presented by the Presence of the Chiefs, Senior Minister and other government officials to highlight some of their achievements, contributions and challenges.
Mr. Eric Asubonteng; President of the Chamber who made a presentation on behalf of the Chamber emphasized the chamber’s contribution to the Ghanaian economy as well as the numerous corporate social responsibility projects undertaken by members for the benefit of various communities. He cited KNUST’s Satellite campus established in Obuasi with the help of Anglogold Ashanti that has already admitted over 300 students.
He however appealed for adequate security at the various mining concessions to avoid mass invasion. He appealed for an elite police force to replace the withdrawn military men who were detailed to provide security there.
He was happy the MDF Board has been set up and called on the Chiefs to help get the Mining Communities Development Schemes up and running immediately.
He also lauded the Community Mining Programme recently launched and expressed the chamber’s support for the programme. He however expressed the chamber’s concern that some people are abusing the initiative to undertake illegal mining activities and encroaching concessions of some of the mines.
Also present at the event was the Senior Minister and Head of the Ghana Beyond Aid Committee; Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, Minister of State at the Office of the Senior Minister; Catherine Afeku, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines; Sulemanu Koney and Deputy Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); Richard Ackom Quayson.
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