Government urged to open mineral revenue fund

Category: Government Created on Thursday, 05 July 2012 17:15 Published Date Written by GNA Hits: 399

Tarkwa, July 4, GNA - Dr. Tony Aubyn, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, has appealed to Government to establish a mineral revenue fund to support  development in mining areas.
     He said people living in mining areas complained that the mining companies have done virtually nothing for them because of the numerous taxes the companies pay to government.
     Dr. Aubyn made the call when the Ghana Manganese Company Limited (GMCL) organized a stakeholders’ meeting for its catchment communities to present to their 2012 Community Relations budget.
     He said government needed to increase the 5.5 percent of royalties paid to chiefs in mining areas to develop their communities, to 20 percent.
     Mr. Jurgen Eijgendeal, Managing Director of GMCL, said the company has established a Cooperate Social Responsibility budget to support projects in their catchment communities.
     He said since the formation of the Esuaso Divisional Stool Council budget of the Chamber has increased from 50,000 Ghana cedis in 2002 to $579,000 in 2012.
     Mr. Eijgendeal said the budget would cover infrastructural projects, scholarships and sponsorship to individuals.
     Mr. Wisdom Adjei Mensah, Human Resource and Administrative Manager of GMCL, said the company and the traditional rulers would work together to transform the area.