Report By: Ishmael Barfi
The Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, has issued a clarion call for greater transparency and equitable benefit-sharing in Ghana’s mining sector.
Speaking on the Upfront show on Joy News, Dr. Bisiw-Kotei emphasized the urgent need for tangible development in communities impacted by mining.
According to Dr. Bisiw-Kotei, the focus should shift from paperwork to visible progress in mining communities.
“If you want to understand, visit any mining community. See what has been taken out of their soil, and what is left for them in return. When you say you spent $20 million, let us see it in peace and prosperity, not just in reports,” she stressed.
The MDF Administrator’s comments come amid growing public pressure and increasing demands from local residents in mining areas who say they are not seeing the benefits of the country’s mineral wealth.
Many of these communities face deteriorating infrastructure, environmental degradation, and limited access to basic services despite millions of dollars generated from mining revenues.
The MDF has become the dedicated institutional voice amplifying the struggles of these local residents who bear the brunt of negative mining activities.
Dr. Bisiw-Kotei underscored the critical role of the Minerals Development Fund as the institutional mechanism through which mining revenues are supposed to be distributed equitably to benefit host communities.
In response to the concerns raised by Dr. Bisiw-Kotei, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, emphasized the government’s commitment to channeling mining benefits into community development and enhancing local content capacity.
“We want mining companies to understand and appreciate their responsibilities to host communities,” he stressed.
The MDF is committed to promoting the development of mining communities by addressing the negative impacts of mining in host communities.
Dr. Bisiw-Kotei reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to working closely with traditional authorities, mining communities, local government agencies, mining companies, and key stakeholders to ensure that mineral revenues translate into real improvements in the lives of citizens in all mining areas in Ghana.
As the debate continues, Ghanaians are looking up to the mining companies to partner with the government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to transforming the fortunes of Ghana’s resource-rich but underdeveloped mining communities.
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed a deep commitment to working with all stakeholders to chart a new vision for the country’s mining industry and ensure that Ghana’s natural resources are managed to benefit all, not just a few.
In conclusion, the call for greater transparency and tangible benefits for mining communities is a crucial step towards ensuring that the resources extracted from Ghana’s mineral-rich regions directly contribute to the welfare of the people living there.
The commitment to strengthening accountability mechanisms, enhancing community engagement, and implementing sustainable development initiatives will go a long way in addressing the challenges faced by these communities.
As the MDF continues to fulfill its mandate, the needs and aspirations of the local citizens must remain at the forefront of policy decisions.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
