Gov’t urges deeper relationship between miners communities

Mining companies have been urged to engage communities and seek their inputs before embarking on rehabilitating mined out lands on their concessions. 

The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources In-Charge of Mines, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh who made the call said in rehabilitating the mine out areas, consideration should be given to economic and exotic plants so that communities around the mine could benefit.

He made this known at Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited in the Central Region when he toured the Mine’s rehabilitation sites at Ayanfuri in the Central Region. 

Mr. Akandoh touring the newly built modern resettlement site of about 174 homes for community members whose original settlement was affected by the company’s operations, commended the company for the project and appealed to management to endeavor to provide market at the new settlement to save the settlers, the trouble of having to travel long distance to the local market in Ayanfuri.       

Mr. Akandoh was conducted round the rehabilitation sites by officials of Perseus Mining (GH) Ltd. in the company of the Chief Inspector of Mines, Mr. Obiri - Yeboah Twumasi and Ambrose Amoa-Ashia, DCE of Upper Denkyira West Assembly.

Mr. Michael Apim-Sackey, Manager, Health, Safety, Environment, Social and Community Development of Perseus Mining (GH) Ltd. informed the Deputy Minister’s entourage that, the company has in place, Community Consultative Committee (CCC) with the District Assembly duly represented that hold constant engagement on all issues that impacts on the community including the mine’s rehabilitation programme and that consideration had already been given to the Deputy Minister’s proposals.

He said the company is currently partnering GIZ in evolving Alternative Livelihood Projects involving   livestock, vegetable, fruits and cocoa farming. 

Mr. Apim-Sackey, said the project is designed under cooperative system where group members from within the catchment areas will be registered and trained to own the projects, thus, deepening local content at the community level and also having to save the company foreign exchange in importing these products from abroad.