A work stream lead of Share prosperity initiative under the UK-Ghana Gold Program ,Mr Samuel Bekoe has made a passionate call for the consolidation of mineral royalties derived from community minings.
He said communities under mining were supposed to receive resources in a form of royalties for development or post mining re-clamation.
Mr Samuel stated this on Yagbon radio tea cup morning show during their routine education as part of the UK-Ghana Gold Program.
He said players in the mining sector are suppose to pay taxes to the government and part of these revenue are supposed to be converted to royalties for development in the communities.
It is based on this that the UK-Ghana Gold Program embarks on this education to create awareness among residents of mining communities.
He called on Chiefs , Assembly members and the community leaders to sit with the government to demand these constitutional entitlements .
He suggested a presidential aspirant must ask to make commitment and meet the minister for lands and natural resources among other options could give community access to these funds.
He said Newmont Gold pay 6m to the chief of Esutifi as royalties for development so why don’t we do it here in Bole District .
He added by saying despite mining in Bole for several years in popular communities like Tinga, Dakurpe among others they still deprived of basic amenities.
Callers suggested for support for groups into mining, however Mr Samuel said it was previously done but a challenging so they stopped.
Stating that they are in talks with political parties that is why they are suggesting for a mineral development bank however before you get that facility then you must have collateral to access such funds.
Source: yagbonradioonline
