Dr. Norris Hammah, MDF Administrator and Samuel Abu Jinapor
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has charged the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) Secretariat to prioritise efforts in undertaking development projects in mining communities across the country.
He stressed the need for the MDF to effectively discharge its mandate since it remains the only ray of hope for residents of mining communities who continue to hunger and thirst for development projects.
Mr Abu Jinapor gave the charge yesterday when he paid a working visit to the management and staff of the Fund. He was extensively briefed on the 2023 action plans of the Fund for the year, 2023.
“MDF must continue making up for the negative impact of mining activities on their lives. They should provide potable water for mining areas because the Birim, Pra, Offin, Densu and other rivers that quenched their thirst have been heavily polluted by galamsey. The mining communities need projects that will give them economic empowerment and alternative livelihoods because their lands have been devastated by illegal miners,” he stated.
The Minister urged MDF managers to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government by working together and innovatively to enhance investment, both domestically and internationally, for the growth of the Fund.
He underscored the need for administrators of the Fund to bring their experience and expertise to bear in the discharge of their duties to ensure effective management of Ghana’s mineral resources and royalties.
Project plan
Mr Jinapor further challenged the MDF to pursue a lofty and ambitious action plan for 2023, and assured of concerted and collaborative efforts by the Ministry.
He explained that the plan should contain projects in the areas of health, education, alternative livelihood empowerment and general infrastructure.
The Minister stressed that MDF holds a key and it’s consequential in government’s plans to create a sustainable and environmental friendly mining sector.
“The action plan is such that they are going to roll out a lot more projects in the mining communities. It is absolutely important that we carry indigenous mining communities with us because without them, we will not have the needed stability to construct the mining industry we so wish.
“The Ministry is grateful for the work done so far, and we want to commend the management and staff of the Fund for doing an excellent work. The mandate and work of the MDF is so important and consequential to our efforts at constructing a responsible mining industry in the country which has regards for the environment,” he added.
Appreciation
The Administrator of the Fund, Dr. Norris Hammah, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the visit and support it had been receiving. He reaffirmed his commitment and willingness to team up with Ministry to achieve its set objectives for the 2023 calendar year and beyond.
He gave the assurance that the managers had taken the advice in good faith, and that they were focused on doing the right thing at all times to foster value for money in the investments made.
Dr. Hammah said his outfit is mandated by law to provide financial assistance in various ways to mining communities. He assured that he would ensure that the Fund executes its mandate to the satisfaction of the residents in all mining communities.
He reiterated the fact that MDF was positioning itself to change the public narrative by ensuring that Ghana’s mining communities and mineral royalties were managed properly for the maximum benefit of the ordinary citizen.
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